Conditions of Membership

Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali, and most of the arts studied and taught at maelstrøm, are weapons based and real-world focused. They are not sports.

Training at maelstrøm is, and should be, a lot of fun and can be very light-hearted at times, but there is always a serious component.  The material we teach, and the training methodologies employed, can carry significant consequences if trained or used inappropriately.  “Appropriate” refers to attitude, approach, and ethics.

We take the weapon arts very seriously.

Training with weapons is not for everyone, and the reasons for that can vary.  Maelstrøm reserves the right to decline membership or training opportunities to any or all students, at any time, and solely at our own discretion. This is for the protection of the person in question, as well as that of maelstrøm, our student body, and the public in general.

It is also for this reason that our standard student waiver (which all students must sign before any training at all at maelstrøm, at either location) includes the optional police background-check permission section.  We at times exercise the option to verify the safety and appropriateness of weapons training for our new students.

All new students undergo a probationary period and all memberships must be approved by our head instructor.  Membership of all types may also be subject to a waiting list if our classes are full.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding conduct – common sense and respect should prevail.  However, offensive or inappropriate language, conduct, or apparel cannot, and will not, be tolerated. We strive to create a welcoming environment for all people.  Far more often than not these result from simple mistakes, misinterpretations or misunderstandings, and are easily addressed.  Threatening, abusive, or repeated misbehavior may result in a suspension of membership and/or permanent ban from membership at Ancient Fire Dojo.

All memberships are subject to change of conditions and pricing at any time.

A note about hygiene:

Good personal hygiene is a must for training at Ancient Fire Dojo.  It is a physical art and entails bodily contact (to widely varying degrees) between students.  Students must be personally clean and wear clean clothing.  No strong perfumes, colognes, or scented soaps may be used prior to training (for allergenic reasons as well as simple courtesy).
maelstrøm will always strive to resolve issues of hygiene immediately and with a minimum of disruption to all parties.  If you have a hygienic concern about the school or about a fellow student please be discreet but please do bring it to the attention of an instructor or your student representative.

 

 

Return to the Membership page here.