What is the importance of bowing in Martial Arts?

Answer 1

BowingThey bow to look at their feet

Bowing ((o)jigi (お辞儀, おじぎ), (o-)rei (お礼)), is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best-known outside Japan. Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan, so much so that, although children normally begin learning how to bow from a very young age, companies commonly provide training to their employees in how to execute bows correctly.

Basic bows are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (boys and men) or clasped in the lap (girls and women), and with the eyes down. Bows originate at the waist. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and the respect expressed.

Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper.

The etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length and depth of bow, and the appropriate response, is exceedingly complex. For example, if the other person maintains his or her bow for longer than expected (generally about two or three seconds), it is polite to bow again, upon which one may receive another bow in return. This often leads to a long exchange of progressively lighter bows.

Generally speaking, an inferior bows longer, more deeply and more frequently than a superior. A superior addressing an inferior will generally only nod the head slightly, while some superiors may not bow at all and an inferior will bend forward slightly from the waist.

Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They tend to occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity of the apology and the severity of the offence. Bows of thanks follow the same pattern. In extreme cases a kneeling bow is performed; this bow is sometimes so deep that the forehead touches the floor. This is called saikeirei (最敬礼), literally "most respectful bow."

When dealing with non-Japanese people, many Japanese will shake hands. Since many non-Japanese are familiar with the custom of bowing, this often leads to a combined bow and handshake which can be quite complicated to execute. Bows may be combined with handshakes or performed before or after shaking hands. Generally when bowing in close proximity, as necessitated when combining bowing and shaking hands, people turn slightly to one side (usually the left) to avoid bumping heads.

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Answer 2

Bowing in any martial art is a sign of respect and should be a sincere slow bow. It is sometimes more disrespectful to bow incorrectly than to not bow at all as this is a sign that you do not understand the reason behind the gesture. Some Martial Arts may differ but in Taekwondo you must always be in attention position when you bow. So make sure you have no gaps between your feet and your hands are placed smartly at the sides of your body. From your waist bend 45 degrees and lower your eyes to the floor. Hold the position for a split second before coming back to your original standing position. Things to remember when bowing: * Bow from attention position with your feet touching. * Looking at your instructor or partner (in Taekwondo) shows mistrust, so ensure you always lower your eyes. * Bow 45 degrees from your waist slowly. * Never bow while you are moving. Always stop and stand in attention position. It is important that you also know and understand the correct time to bow. Sometimes you see students bowing all the time without understanding what they are doing. Bowing constantly makes bowing meaningless. It is often just seen as something you have to do and go through the motions of before and after a lesson. When you bow to someone you are making a public gesture that you respect them as a person in the martial arts and what they stand for. That is why every time you bow it should mean something both to you and the other person. Half hearted bows or a simple nod of the head don't symbolically mean anything it is a lack of etiquette if anything. Bowing, especially for adults, is also a very humbling experience. To acknowledge that someone else, irrespective of age, has more experience and knowledge than you can sometimes be quite difficult to grasp. Also bowing when you enter and leave the Dojang is not for anyone else but you. This simple action reminds you that you are there to listen to the advice of the instructor and approach learning with an empty cup. The above answer is enjoyable and well-stated, and I am sure it applies completely and correctly to Taekwando. Other forms, however, do this slightly differently and with slightly different meaning. The Japanese say no-one who is not Japanese will ever understand all the nuances of bowing, and it's amazingly easy to make a mistake. In my ryu, Kenpo, the format is Hawaiian derriving form Okinoawa, Japan and China, and -- as you can imagine -- many of the customs changed as time goes on. In our form (and also many of the fully Japanese forms), it is polite to maintain eye contact while bowing unless you are either appologizing for a grave offense or bowing to a very high ranking superior. Your boss at work would not be this elevated, but perhaps the head of the company might be -- and your sensei might as well be, but such a bow would be presumptive on first meeting. Between equals, the bows should be of equal depth and last equally long. Making your bow more shallow or more brief could be conisdered an insult. Bowing to your sensei prior to sparring depends a lot on the local customs -- some ryu demand you constantly respect the sensei -- others say respect must be earned and offering respect before you know the person is presumptuious. Yet others say Sensei and the lowest student are equals on the mat. We also bow on the mat as part of a very carefully prescribed ritual that is likekly intended to prevent the contest from accidentally starting too soon and having one contestant accidentally sucker-punch another. So it's Bow, Stance, and wait for the start command. Likewise, at the end, to some of us, the bow signifies an honorable end to the sparring session, after which hostilities cease. We, in the tradition of the Edo court, allow bowing from the kneeling position. The meaning remains unchanged. This is especially important as we also practice a form of drawing and striking or blocking with the sword from the kneeling position. Bowing while entering and leaving the Dojo -- for us -- is done because we are entering and leaving a private world. Here, do we not allow hostility or anger. We act respectfully. There is an equality in some cases (my rank in the real world is unimportant here), and a ranking system in others, (when I wear a red Instructor's belt (NOT a Black belt), I am expected to give orders --- politely). When we leave, the bow is the final act of transition back into the real world. In the dojo, we do not discuss payment, for instance. Hands on the sides of the body -- in Japan at least -- is generally reserved for very formal bowing, from an inferior to a superior. Instead, a less formal bow would have your hands placed on the tops of your thighs. Bowing in an extremely formal manner to a female flight attendant on a JAL flight will assure you don't get good service or an upgrade :} Finally, in the ryu where I have studied, this symbolism is a covenant between members that we will treat each other in a civilized, carefully prescribed manner. Our school believes that, while manners must endure, true respect can only be earned over time and, as such, we do not pretend to respect people we don't know -- we only promise to treat they in a mannerly way. So -- we bow to reinstill our covenant to treat others in a mannerly fashion, and to signal the end of sparring... the end or beginning of training for the day, etc. As Americans, who don't quite get the difficult nuances of bowing, we try and avoid varying the bows -- some that might send the message that I know more or less than you, that I am your superior or inferior, etc. The simpler and more uniform we make our bow, the less confusion, is my experience. NOTE -- I don't intend this as a rebuttal of the original answer. My response is simply the view taken by a different school or ryu. Both are right; neither is wrong.

Answer 3

For starters if you're flexible you can perform more of the moves. If your legs are flexible it's harder to make you tap out from a leg lock or knee bar.

It also reduces the likelihood of injury from pulling a muscle or damaging a tendon.

Answer 4

it is important because it teaches children to be better people when they grow up

Answer 5

Bowing is the acknowledgement to your audience that you appreciate their applause.

Answer 6

To show respect.

Answer 7

What iels the purpose oF Bowing