You don’t wear a gi anywhere else. You don’t wear it to work, to the market, or around the house.

The gi is weird on purpose. It doesn’t belong anywhere in your normal life, and that’s why putting it on means something.

You’re switching into student mode, and student mode means a few things:

• Pay attention.
• Follow the instructions.
• Be present.

You don’t live like this everywhere. You don’t stand up in base at home. You don’t have to put on shoes to go to the bathroom.

But when you put the gi on, you agree to something for the next hour. That’s the deal.

The gi doesn’t make you a different person, but it’s a line. Wearing it, you know which side of the line you’re on.