Bowing is an important part of any martial arts training. By bowing you are showing courtesy, respect and gratitude to your art, dojo, sensei, other students, and yourself. There are many situations in which you should bow. You should bow:

• as you enter the dojo
  • just before stepping onto the mat (preparing to practice)
    • at the start of class, usually as a group
      • to another student of equal or lower rank to indicate you would like them to be your uke
        • to your uke before beginning working with him or her
        • to your uke when done working with him or her
      • after receiving individual help, or an answer to a question, from any Yudansha, along with Thank-you! or dōmo arigatō!
    • at the end of class, usually as a group
  • just before stepping off the mat (ending practice)
• as you leave the dojo

For a standing bow, bend forward at the waist about 30 degrees keeping your back straight. When bowing before practice keep your eyes up looking forward. As you bend forward your upper arms stay next to your body and your forearm comes up parallel to the ground, hands in fists. When bowing in receipt of an honor or complement, your head and eyes should be down in humbleness. As you bend forward your hands slide to the front of your thighs.

It is also important to remember that the very nature of our practice violates one of the prime tenets of self-defense: you are allowing someone to get close enough to attack you or even to put their hands on you. By bowing you remind yourself and your partner that this is a special case, that this is practice.