It has been said that the study of\u00a0karate\u00a0begins and ends with respect. \u00a0From a practical viewpoint, we know this to be true. \u00a0After all, we begin and end each class by bowing in and bowing out. \u00a0We also begin and end every partner drill by bowing to each other. \u00a0What is the significance of bowing though, and how does it help us teach or learn respect? \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When we bow at the beginning of class, we are showing respect to our teachers and our flags. \u00a0In essence, by bowing the student is saying, \u201cthank you\u201d to his\/her instructor for teaching this class and passing on their knowledge. \u00a0At the same time, the instructor is bowing to the student to say, \u201cthank you\u201d for coming to class and for being my student. \u00a0Please note that there is no religious significance to the bow in our classes. \u00a0It is done out of courtesy and respect. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
At\u00a0Kicks\u00a0Karate, part of this custom includes bowing to the two flags that adorn our walls. \u00a0These are the flags of the United States and Korea, respectively. \u00a0We bow to the Korean flag to show respect to my own teacher, Grandmaster Kim, Ki Whang (1920 \u2013 1993), who was of Korean descent. \u00a0We bow to the flag of the United States because this flag provides us the freedom to practice the\u00a0martial\u00a0arts\u00a0and learn freely in this country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Bowing is only one aspect of how we practice courtesy and respect at\u00a0Kicks\u00a0Karate. \u00a0We also use the terms, \u201cSir or Ma\u2019am\u201d when we address each other. \u00a0For example, if an instructor were to give directions to a group of students, they might all reply, \u201cYes Sir!\u201d. \u00a0For those outside the\u00a0karate\u00a0community this might seem a bit extreme or unusual, but we believe that learning to treat others with respect, and showing respect for figures of authority, is something of great need and value in our society. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
To be clear, we don\u2019t expect or condone blind loyalty, but instead give and ask for respectful discourse. \u00a0It is not just about how we answer our instructors and seniors, but how we show courtesy and treat others in general. \u00a0It\u2019s about kindness, and genuine care for others. \u00a0Treating others in a respectful and kindway doesn\u2019t cost us one nickel, yet it can have a dramatic effect on how other people feel, and how we feel about ourselves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
We want our students and staff members to be respectful of each other, to show respect to parents, teachers, coaches, and each other. \u00a0Further, we want them to learn to have self-respect. \u00a0This is how we treat and care for ourselves. \u00a0It includes our hygiene, what we eat and put into our bodies, our self-talk, etc. \u00a0Are you treating yourself and your things with respect? \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It can begin with something as simple as how we wear our\u00a0karate\u00a0uniform and tie our belt. \u00a0Is your uniform neat and clean? \u00a0Is your belt tied correctly? \u00a0Did you brush your teeth and comb your hair this morning? \u00a0Did you make up your bed so that you will have a neat and comfortable place to rest when you are ready to go to sleep tonight? \u00a0Did you make good healthy food choices today? \u00a0These are simple little things, but they areimportant because mastery of small things eventually leads to mastery of great things! \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Respect for self and others is a trait that is ingrained within the fabric of\u00a0Kicks\u00a0Karate. It is part of who we are and what we do in every class. \u00a0It is important in every interaction, and every relationship we have with each other, our students and families. \u00a0As always, we want to thank you for the trust and respect you place in us by allowing us to mentor and teach your children and family. \u00a0Bowing deeply.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It has been said that the study of\u00a0karate\u00a0begins and ends with respect. \u00a0From a practical viewpoint, we know this to be true. \u00a0After all, we begin and end each class by bowing in and bowing out. \u00a0We also begin and end every partner drill by bowing to each other. \u00a0What is the significance of bowing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21329"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24956,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21329\/revisions\/24956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kickskarateinc.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}