The Bow is a part of the martial arts has been misunderstood by many people.
In our Academy we use the tradition of martial arts bowing to show RESPECT. We bend at the waist and lower our eyes and head, our hands open and arms extended down our pants. This does not indicate subservience or self deprecation. It is a gesture used to merely display that there is recognition of a cultural change in a set environment, which in this case, is the Academy, the mats and the Instructors. Our bowing is directed toward a place of honor that represents the belief in being better and likeminded.
We bow when we enter and leave the Academy to show that we appreciate having a nice facility to train in and that we can leave the world outside and join our bodies and our minds the family inside. We respect ourselves and the others we train with and it begins at the doors. We enter and become one with all who think and practice as we do.
Members must also bow when we enter and leave the mats to show respect for the material we are learning and that the area we train in is one of high regard. Cleanliness and tidiness are essential to safety and to ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum. It is where we practice and strive to become better, make our mistakes, learn from our failures and bolster our classmates up to bring honor to them and to us.
And students always bow to our teachers and they bow to us because we need each other to make a whole, one to help the other, together in this journey. Honor, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty, Commitment. That is what we learn. That is what we teach. “We will always be Honest and Loyal and Courteous to All..Ossu!”