Belt Tying... Did I do somethig wrong???

[SiouxDogEater]

Some one please help me understand. Last night when i went to train with Sensei, I came out in my usual atire. I usually dress in a full gi with a tank top or something underneath. Anyhow... i turned around t put my gi on and tie my belt. When first started he said it was rude to tie your belt in front of another. He is very serious about respect in his dojo. Now I make sure that my gi is correct and that my belt is tied correct as well. Every thing is exactly as I was shown when I first started and it looks the same as Sensie's. Suddenly Sensei was behind me. He put his hand on my left shoulder, gently turned me around, took my belt from my hand and tied my belt. He was very gentle about it. Then he put his hand on my chest, then walked away and training began.

Ok... so what happened. The reason I am asking is becuase Sensei does things for a reason. Again, he is very focused on respect in his dodjo and does not usually do things light heartedly. I did not have the guts to ask him. Maybe I should. I was just a little taken aback thats all.

My question is this... if there is significance to this will someone please tell me. Also, what should my response have been or what should it be now.

I wanna get this right... thanks for the help!!!
SiouxDogEater

[SLK.fidget]

i'd say it was his way of saying, that he understands that u made a mistake(tieing ur belt in front of another) and that everybody makes mistakes, and he knows how much respect u have for him and how much u look up to him, and that u would never doing anything intentionally to disrespect him or the dojo, and that things were cool between u two. at least that is my interpretation. hope that cleared things up.

[SiouxDogEater]

Good point. However, When I tie my belt I am always sure to turn around so as not to show me tying. Not sure if I need to but I do the same when I adjust my gi. I turn... adjust... then turn back around. It's what Sensei does.

[Tiger Claw]

Out of respect we also turn away from the instructor/s when fixing our gi (I forgot the korean name, lol). I don't see the point in it at all. I don't do it all the time and nobody told me I had too but most ppl do this. We tie our belts in the changing room, so I don't know why you would tie your belt in the dojo.

[IPON]

Suddenly Sensei was behind me. He put his hand on my left shoulder, gently turned me around, took my belt from my hand and tied my belt. He was very gentle about it. Then he put his hand on my chest, then walked away and training began.

WOW what a tender moment. You wouldn't happen to be under 13 yrs old and this dojo wouldn't happen to be located in California at the Neverland and your instructor wouldn't be SENSEI MICHEAL JACKSON

Just kidding

[IPON]

Out of respect we also turn away from the instructor/s when fixing our gi (I forgot the korean name, lol). I don't see the point in it at all. I don't do it all the time and nobody told me I had too but most ppl do this. We tie our belts in the changing room, so I don't know why you would tie your belt in the dojo.

Belts come loose in the dojo and you need to tie them, it happens. And you are right it is proper to turn to away from a person to fix your Gi, it is an issue of respect. It would be similar to a situation where your zipper is down and somone told you. It is no polite to zip up your zipper in front of someone you would turn around. This is similar to the issue of tying your belt, in general, but especially if any females are present.

[Greenthink]

Tying the knot in your belt properly is THE most important aspect of learning a martial art. It is the absolute pinnacle of spiritualiy and showing respect to the oriental spirits that inhabit All dojo's. The spirit that inhabits the mat is especially sensitive to the level of respect that is shown to your knot. Your Sensai sounds like he is very in-tune with the universal truths that are exibited in the most sacred of places- his dojo. I would assume that the martial art spirits will give to him the ancient secrets that are only given to those that show such respect.

[Tiger Claw]

Belts come loose in teh dojo and you need to tie them, it happens. And you are right ist is proper to turn to fisx your Gi, it is an issue of respect. It would be similar to a situation where you zipper is down and somone told you. It is no polite to zip up your zipper in front of somoen you would turn around. This is similar to the issue of tying your belt, in general, but especially if any females are present.

I tie my belt's knot real tight. Even in jj it doesn't come loose. I havn't seen anyones belt come totally undone at the dojang (most ppl use a left knot opposite of standard tkd). They don't care how ya tie them. I have seen ppl with no belts and a gi because they forgot their belt. I also zip up in front of ppl I don't care. Most of the time I remember to zip up, thankfully. I can see your point.

[Dijita]

Your belt ever come undone in a tournement? What do you do then? I just participated in my first knockdown tournement on the weekand. The belt came undone on the girl that I was fighting, and the ref (I'm not sure what they are supposed to be called) blowed the whistle, tied her belt up and started the fight again.

Is this traditional at most tournements? I'm just curious.

[TNT]

beyond the protocol of belt tying....why is it that some men feel it's okay to train w/out a tank/t-shirt under their gi?? Do school's set the standard for appropriate attire or is it a matter of choice?

[IPON]

beyond the protocol of belt tying....why is it that some men feel it's okay to train w/out a tank/t-shirt under their gi?? Do school's set the standard for appropriate attire or is it a matter of choice?

It is actually proper to not wear a t-shirt under the Gi. People tend to wear the tshirt becuase of sweating, but is not required. During testing or competition the t-shoirt would not be allowed.

[TNT]

It is actually proper to not wear a t-shirt under the Gi. People tend to wear the tshirt becuase of sweating, but is not required. During testing or competition the t-shoirt would not be allowed.

.....really didn't know that about competition......anyway since women should & have to wear one, I think if the guy has a chest that could use a bra...he should have to wear a tank or a t-shirt too!

[Greenthink]

You guys ever heard the term Knot-head? The only god-damned thing important about tying your belt on your G-D "martial art suit is ... don't have the knot on the side where you can fall on it and hurt your self. IF you have a "teacher" that thinks there is something mysterious or spiritual or showing respect about how or when you tie your stupid belt RUN don't walk away from the bozo because he is so caught up in the B.S. that he uses the rituals and cult -worship crap to hide the fact that he doesn't know "Jack shit about teaching " martial arts!

[Thai Bri]

Agreed. The guy's a wanker.

[Greenthink]

PROPER! In whose rule book defines proper? In colder weather the addition of a sweat suit under your judo suit really feels good! And it actually makes falling alot more comfortable. Ippon you have to modernize your thinking get away from whoever is filling your head with the old fashioned thinking. It is the 21st century after all. And what are you predictions for our Judo team at the Olyimpics this summer.Will they have the bowing and the knot tying down so while they are getting stomped they don't embarress our country by not following proper etiquette?