The dojo should be open and available approximately one hour before the scheduled class is to start and everyone should arrive with enough time to prepare themselves and warm their bodies properly for safe instruction. Students should be in a clean uniform with all appropriate rank insignias free from tears or anything else that could be harmful to another person while practicing. Jewelry should always be removed and never should a weapon or training tool be concealed on the person unless directed by the teacher in charge for the session. Soft tabi or socks should be worn on the feet unless training outdoors when appropriate rubber tabi should then be used. This is a health and courtesy matter and helps limit the potential for disease transmission between dojo members.

At the appropriate starting time a bell is rung signaling the students to line up in preparation for the bowing in procedure. With the teacher at the front of the assembly, students are to sit behind in Seiza no Kamae and if desired senior students may line up to the right and junior grades to their left. This is only a traditional consideration, never mandatory and seldom observed in the honbu dojo. Students should assume a meditative state and at some point during the meditation the teacher will recite the Ninniku Seishin poem. The teacher then recites the Kotodama "spiritual prayer" which the students then repeat followed by two hand claps, one bow and one hand clap. The teacher then turns to face the students and states "Onegai Shimasu" which the students then repeat.

The teacher will then speak of any matters that he feels are important, related or significant for the evenings training or any other meaningful message he wishes to relate.

Ninniku Seishin - "Chi haya furu kami no oshiewa toko shieni tadashiki kokoro mio mamoruran" (Heaven will not permit any pleasurable times for those without a happy heart)

Kotodama - "Shikin haramitsu dai komyo" (every moment hold the potential for enlightenment)