Aikido_Girl918

Okay, I'm confused, what is the proper way to bow? I mean we aren't really told anything at my dojo about bowing. How low do you bow, is it different depending on your height, rank, whatever? And why keep eye contact? Thanks in advance,
Fanci

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jubaji

To be really polite, you have to grab your ankles, bend forward all the way until you can look back between your legs, and hold it there until someone stuffs a dollar in your obi.


If you want to be really traditional about it.

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Tom Yum

A fan of the BYOB places...

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Warrior189

Whats that suppose to mean?

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Sagacious Lu

ROFLMFAO! Oh man... I'm not sure which is funnier; Jubaji's answer or Warrior's question

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gregimotis

I don't know if I'm more offended by the original response, or the subsequent encouragement.

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Britt

It depends on your style and your instructor's preference. In kempo, the bow is with the right hand covering the closed left fist in front of the torso. In judo, the bow is with the hands at the side below the hips for men, in front of the thighs below the hips for women. I don't remember the proper bow for aikido (assuming there is one, which there probably is); your instructor is probably the best preson to ask.

I've always been told that the reason for maintaining eye contact is to get you used to not averting your eyes from people you're about to get in a fight with. Not sure if that's the traditional reason, but it makes sense.

Tom Yum

I'm offended that you're offended.

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Aikido_Girl918

Okay guys, I'm serious, and I'd appreciate it if you would be, too. I have asked my instructors, they all said something different. That is why i am trying to get the general oppinions of other Aikidoka. Also, I have heard that it is not good to keep eye contact in the dojo because it is a sign of distrust, anything behind this one? Last but not least, is there a specific way to bow from sieza?

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smokedemon

In tae kwon do we keep our hands to our side and bow feet together. Eye contact is not necesary i dont lower my eyes where i cant see the person tho i keep my eyes on my target. I suggest u watch the very beggining of enter the dragon lol.

The_Judo_Jibboo

Well I don't think you're going to get the concrete answer you're looking for. As you've seen from asking your instructors there's no one way. Personally, I bow relatively deep and I do lower my eyes in the dojo. I tend to agree that it's a little unnecessary/possibly even disrespectful to keep your eyes on your training partner like you expect him or her to blast you at an unexpected moment. In aikido we bow from seiza just like we do in judo, which is hands sliding down the thighs onto the mat forming a triangle, and touching the forehead to the mat. Some senseis bow with their palms together

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So the real message here is that in a SD situation you should always take off your trousers...
-jubaji

kuk sool won

See we are the opposite, we look down at our feet and not at the person we are bowing to. This shows respect to your opponent and honour to yourself.

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Aikido_Girl918

Well, I didn't expect a concrete answer. Just some different ideas. I figure I can combine them. Thank you!

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Toudiyama[NL]

I thin it depends on the organisation how you bow, I've seen Aikidoka bring both hands to the front together(seiza rei) but also the left hand first
Same thing with Karate, Kyokushin have their fist on their legs and bring both to the front together, other styles have open hands on their legs bring them to the side first and then move to the front, others bring them strait to the front

I would say, try to find video clips of the head instructor of your org bowing ( or watch him or her life)

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thescottishdude

for the early belts in any martial art showing the correct traditions such as bowing are just as important as showing basic blocks and attacks.

You keep eye contcat so that your opponent can't just bow quickly and do a quick attack on your before you look up (not such a problem now, as there's usually time for the ref to put you into stances before competitions etc)

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