How to Change Your Basement Into a Dojo

Remove all furniture and storage items from the basement. Clean it thoroughly, including the floor, wall and any windows and doors; a great part of dojo etiquette is cleanliness.

Lay training mats down on the floor. You can either use Japanese tatami mats, or the interlocking rubber mats found at many gyms. Choose thicker mats for styles with lots of tumbling, such as Aikido or Judo. Styles with less floor contact, such as Taekwondo or Karate, can accommodate thinner mats.

Mount weapon racks along one wall. Depending on the martial arts style, you may need racks for wooden swords, or a "bokken" stand for a staff, jo, bo or other weaponry.

Install training equipment such as punching bags, dummies or speedballs if needed for your style of martial arts. Place hand-held training equipment such as hand pads or gloves to one side of the mats, or store them in an easily accessible cupboard or shelf.

Decorate the basement with art, calligraphy or photographs that represent your martial arts style. Many dojos use one wall to create a "kamiza," or shrine, typically containing a display sword and calligraphy or other artwork. This is usually the direction faced while practicing, especially for bowing at the beginning and end of a training session. Keep the decoration on the minimalist side.