No bling in the ring!

by Mike

Last night one class was sparring and unbeknownst to the person in question, their ear ring fell out. The instructor for the next class found it - by stepping on it a couple of times. He picked the ear ring up, found the offender and informed everyone, "no bling in the ring."

Bracelets, necklaces, lip rings, tongue rings, etc. all need to be removed. Yeah, yeah, they're family heirlooms and/or it's a magical talisman and/or you promised someone that you'd never take it off, but if you wear it in class, it will likely get ripped off, or fall off and go in someone's eye, they'll step on it and cut themselves.* Consider your partners' safety here.

Piercings in non-public places still count. Taping over them may help, but I have a hard time believing that taking a shot to the belly button ring doesn't hurt like hell and pose a serious risk to you getting cut.

Rings especially need to come off - you jam your fingers and swelling starts, you're going to lose the ring anyway. If you're unwilling or unable to take it off, you best consider basket weaving.

* Strangely, the bigger a fight that someone puts up about this, the quicker the offending bling "accidentally" gets ripped off in the very next drill.