Bowing in and out of class:
At the beginning and end of every lesson, the tradition of showing respect between
students and instructors is expressed through the actions of the “Formal Bow”
- Attention stance (stand straight, eyes forward, chin up, hands flat on sides of hip
- Instructor says “Rie” (Bow)
- Bend/bow forward 45 degrees with straight back, pause, then stand straight
- Instructor says “Seiza” (Kneel)
- Right leg down onto the knee, then left leg down, setting down onto your shins with feet folded under you, and hands on your thighs
- Instructor says “Mokuto” (Meditate)
- Take a few deep breaths and clear your mind
- Instructor says “Yame” (Stop)
- Stop meditating and lean forward from the hips.
- Reach right hand forward first, then left hand, making a triangle/diamond shape with your hands on the floor in front of you, and place your forehead to the triangle
- Everyone now says “Domo Arigato Gozaimus” (Thank you very much)
- Set back up straight, hands on thighs
- Instructor says “Yame” again
- Everyone except instructor repeats steps 9-12
- Instructor says “Yame” again, then everyone rises back to standing position, reversing the order of movements in step 5
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