GENERAL INFORMATION & New students

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First Class?  Here is some information to help you feel comfortable at your first class.

1. Be clean and hygenic.  Due to the nature of martial arts students are in close proximity, or in contact and it's respectful to be showered and clean.

2. Manage your hair.  Beards should be trimmed to prevent accidental pinching or pulling during chokes.  Longer hair styles should be braided, or in pony tails to also help prevent accidental pulling, and prevent hair from being in your face.

3. No shoes on mats. Mats are a significant cost for a martial arts school, removing shoes helps preserve their longevity.  Shoes also can carry germs or residue that you would not want to roll around in.

4. Avoid over-use of perfumes, colognes, or strong deodorants.  Normal or light deodorant is allowed and appreciated.

5. Most students will wear athletic or gym shorts under their gi's to facilitate changing in a public environment.  We encourage this, but we have two lockable restrooms where you can also change in privacy.

6. No Gi?  No problem.  Your first couple classes you may not have a Gi while you explore if martial arts is right for you.  Athletic or gym shorts, or sweat pants are acceptable for your first couple classes.  If money is tight speak with an instructor, we often have donated Gi's that we can often give you free of charge.  We do expect students in public classes to have a Gi after a couple weeks.

7. There are many females in our classes, we make every attempt to pair women with women, and men with men, especially in competitive sparring or rolling.  If you are uncomfortable with a sparring or rolling partner, let us know! 

8.  Dues is generally due the first week of the month in which you are training, but we do not expect dues on your first class.  First one is on us.

9. Safety,  Our safety word is 'TAP', or to be physically tapped several times in quick succesion.  If someone says 'tap" or taps you several times quickly, you must immediately stop the technique and gently return them to a position of comfort.  If you feel uncomfortable or in pain, this is how you immediately cease the technique.

10. ****Waiver.**** Before training, all students or parents, must have signed a waiver.

11. Ask questions, our staff and students are here to help, and all of us have been right where you are.

12. New students with Gi's should only have Gi patches that are tasteful, and represent only Fabio Santos Jiu Jitsu affiliates.

13. Please have finger and toe nails trimmed and clean.

14. Do not enter bathrooms barefoot then re-enter the mats.  It's important to minimize sanitary risks associated with germs being tracked on the mats.  Free slip on shower shoes are provided for this purpose, or you are welcome to bring your own.