Protocol Tip of the Day: Bow first, bow lower, bow longer. That was how my Master explained bowing in detail (his explanations always leave room for you to learn more). Then he went on to teach normal Korean society bowing. Hands at sides, feet together, eyes lowered, neck straight and bend slightly at waist. 45 degree angle is enough..... Then he started training sessions and I was the first uke he called up. I was watching him so i could get this angle correct when he dropped into a full standing Japanese bow. This is much deeper and fortunately I was originally trained in Shotokan or I might have been surprised. The standing Japanese bow also has feet together, eyes down, hands at sides but they slide flowing on to your knee area as you lower yourself, back also straight lowing at waist but head fixation doesnt seem as strict. The difference between a mans bow being that their finger tips land at the top of the knee cap and the females land at the bottom of the knee cap. This point was extremely important to my Serbian Grandmaster of Jujitsu but in the normally misogynist cultures of Serbia and Japan this would be a point stressed. I lived and followed the way and command of my Sensei but in another worldview, the fighters context I would say that distinction is not necessary. Decide for yourself what you think....i follow that rule because its is a habit for me and Im happy doing things that say Im a girl and Im proud of that fact! The when to bow answer is this...if you think possibly??? Just do it. Its better to over bow than under bow. Dont lower you head and bend your neck so much that you cant see the item in your own hands that your handing to your senior. Do bow when thanking your senior. Do bow when given a piece of vital information when training. Do bow EVERY SINGLE TIME BEFORE TOUCHING A MASTER. Even if he is teaching and ignoring you it is imperative that you remain focused on showing respect and bow. Do bow before touching your senior or engaging in activities with a training partner. Do bow when entering the dojang or dojo. Do bow when greeting someone from karate-land outside in the real world. Do bow when black belts walk into the room. Make EVERYONE bow every time a Master comes into the dojang, even if class is in session-Stop class and Bow to a Master. To be continued.......
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:41:53 +0000
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