treelizard

Not sure if this is the right category, but couldn't figure out where to put this.

I was wondering what people's experiences are with bowing in.

I was at a seminar where we bowed in at the beginning and then bowed to our partners after each excercise. I remember at the time I thought it took up tons of time and was pretty unnecessary and even interfered with our training, to have to constantly bow. I've also been to some classes where everyone bows a lot but they still treat each other like crap. But I was thinking that most of the other classes I've been to where people didn't seem to act respectfully towards one another, there was no bowing in (or salutations, or anything at all). And I have to wonder if that's a coincidence.

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Gunjin

I'm not taking any formal schooling at this time. But I picked up bowing and did it while taking karate when I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. It seems we did it all the time every time. We did formal bows before and after class and maybe right before sparring. Then every other time it was just a simple head node when it came to partners drills or whatever. There was no need to break the rhythum of say a kicking drill when swapping pad holders by coming to attention and doing a full bow.

Keep in mind though that bowing has a lot stronger meaning in Japan than it does in the States. I think it kind of gets bastardised and not fully understood in the States. I can easily see how some schools/seminars may stress the physical act of bowing all the time but not really understand it.

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white devil

whatever the kind..its good as long as it's a sign of respect
(nod,touching gloves,muay thai salute,savate traditional salute..bending forward..JKD salute)..hey they're all good..as long as respect is shown towards your oponent...

maybe in a distant world rubbing your butt-cheeks together sidetepping to the left and jumping 3 times in the air to carefully land on your head is a sign of respect too..haha wouldnt that be awesome

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Mike Brewer

In many ways, that's why sport fighters shake hands and touch gloves. It reminds them - even subconsciously - that it's a sport and respect is due.

jubaji

Alright, who the hell voted in the poll just now and didn't post anything, making it look as if there were new posts on this thread? That offense should carry the death penalty.

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treelizard

What is this, Singapore?

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jubaji

Are you chewing gum?

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treelizard

Yes, and I have some spray paint and stencils in my bookbag.













Okay, not really. I'm innocent!!!

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shaolin-warrior

In our advanced classes, we smack each other around pretty good. Bowing is almost like saying no hard feelings. Or thank you for being the willing recipient of a smack down.

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Tom Yum

Dis country merika, lah.

In my experiences with the traditional martial arts, bowing was usually done at the start and at the end of each class. There was also a bow-like handshake done for informal moments.

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aku aku

At the jkd class I used to go to there was no bowing but we were encouraged to shake hands and introduce ourselves if we didn't know each other and the people there treated each other great. The instructor explained that he didn't have the bowing because that's not part of our culture.

I think it depends more on the instructor and the atmosphere he encourages rather than presence or absence of bowing.

makiwara

I have always bowed when entering the tatami, when partnering up w/ someone, or when done partnering, and in some dojos anytime you go to talk to sensei or sempais out of turn. I kinda like the respect aspect of it, and it doesn't take too long if you don't kowtow, just a quick dip of acknowledgement.

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aku aku

I think respect is important but I don't feel you need to look to other cultures for ways to show it. If you come from a culture where bowing is the norm then by all means bow, if not then do whatever is appropriate in your culture. Unless you just want to act Japanese or Chinese or something.

aku aku

Just some idle thoughts I had.

When I think back to some of the other learning and training I've done: Drum classes, guitar lessons, meditation, yoga, pilates, kettlebell classes, boxing gym, etc there was never any bowing but people managed to treat each other with courtesy and respect. Martial artists seem unique in the sense that they feel a need to bow to each other and adopt formalities from other countries.

treelizard

I would respectfully disagree that martial arts is the only place where people adopt rituals from other countries. Actually yoga and meditation include all kinds of examples of this. I think it can be done in a way that is respectful and in a way that mimics knee-jerk rebellion. Are you showing respect for the culture whose material you are using or you a wanna-be trying to adopt practices from any culture that is foreign and exotic enough to be considered superior to your own?

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For a good time, visit http://www.dirttime.org

The ultimate sticky:
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