Bowing at the dojo is an example of a group ritual; thus, the primary behavior source is group learning.
General Symbolism
The word “Ouss” is a Japanese word that means “hello/goodbye/how are you doing/ thank you”; it is a universal way to communicate respect in martial arts, similar to how people say “Aloha” in Hawaii. Bowing is also a way to show respect; thus, bowing and saying “Ouss” are done together.
Many Western people think that the underlying meaning of bowing is worship, and do not like to bow to people for this reason; thus, some martial arts schools refrain from the practice of bowing to increase their membership. However, this notion is incorrect, for bowing simply is a way to communicate respect and humility. Humility is not a core value of individualistic cultures such as Canada, so perhaps this is why some Canadians are confused about the meaning of bowing, thereby finding it offensive.
At our school, there is a social script that dictates the order in which bowing should be performed, with each bow symbolizing something different.
Symbolic Social Script
Beginning:
§ Bow upon entry to the dojo: Shows respect to dojo as a sacred place where you are your “highest self”; thus, swearing and negative attitudes are not appreciated.
§ Bow to any instructor or black belt that you see: This includes getting up off the floor from any stretching that you may be doing, and is done to show respect for the knowledge and accomplishments of the other person.
§ Bow to your classmates who may be stretching or in the change room: this is a friendly way to greet your peers, and to celebrate the spirit of martial arts.
Middle:
The Sensei will come to the open training/stretching area and call the class to come upstairs to the training floor. All students respond by saying “OUSS” and walk in single file up to the floor according to rank. Next, each student will do the following:
§ Bow before stepping onto the training floor: Shows respect and commitment to practicing safely and humbly. Humility is an important key to learning effectively, because it is difficult to absorb instructions when your ego is diverting your attention elsewhere. I have a saying that “social comparison serves to create one of two outcomes: egoism or low self-esteem, both of which interfere with one’s ability to actualize their true potential”.
§ Bow to each other: Students bow to acknowledge the Sensei’s years of experience and knowledge, and Sensei bows to acknowledge his/her understanding of what it is like to be a student.
§ Bow to each other: Communicates alertness and readiness to begin training.
During the class, the students are to respond to every instruction given by the Sensei with “Sir/Ma-am” to acknowledge that they are listening. They are also to:
Bow to their partner before sparring/training during class: Shows honor and respect towards the other student, and is a commitment to restraint and control over techniques to avoid injuring the other person.
§ Bow to partner after sparring/training during class: Way of thanking the other person for the opportunity to learn, and form of good sportsmanship.
End:
Bow when class is finished to Sensei and assistant instructors: Shows appreciation for opportunity to learn martial arts, and a way of saying goodbye
§ Bow when you leave the training floor: Shows honor and appreciation for learning space, and a commitment to continuing to practice safely and humbly.
§ Bow when you leave the school: Shows respect for the dojo as a sacred place, and represents commitment to retain knowledge learned inside dojo.
Many of those who take bowing seriously, view the martial arts school as a sacred place where you honor the gifts of learning that you receive. For these people, including myself, studying martial arts represents a commitment to self-discipline and personal growth, both inside and outside the school. Like some people’s homes, the dojo represents a “crucial distinction between the harsh, external world and consumers’ ‘inner space’ “(Solomon 1996). Part of this distinction, it seems, is derived from the process of bowing upon entry and departure to the dojo—the simple act of bowing forces one into present-moment awareness, which is the ultimate experience of one’s “inner space”.
Many students that I have spoken with, including myself, comment on how they feel rejuvenated and positive the minute they enter the dojo, often ascribing “healing powers” to the place.
Have Fun - Train Hard - Train Smart - Fightwize
Sensei Malcolm Bale
www.jiu-jitsu-calgary.com
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on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Martial Arts.
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