Bowing to begin and end a period of
instruction shows that the student has class and manners. The
bow is a remembrance of all who have gone before and a
recognition of the efforts they made, often under adverse
circumstances, to preserve the art.
The feet are always
together and pointed forward with the shoulders squared. The
body bends forward about 15 to 30 degrees at the waist. Hold
the posture for 3 or 4 second then straighten up.
We do
four different bows: one with hands empty; one with a single
short weapon such as a sword, saber or baton; one with two
short weapons and
one with a long weapon such as a kwan
dao, lau gar, staff or spear.
Usually, at the start
of class one enters the training area and puts whatever you
might be carrying on or under your chair. Then you join your
classmates in a line facing the teacher. When everyone is
lined up the teacher will turn 180 degrees so as to be facing
the same direction as the students. Everyone will bow. When
the teacher turns 180 degrees back to face the class then the
students salute.
When class is ending the students will
line up facing the teacher. The students salute. The teacher
returns the salute. The teacher will turn 180 degrees to be
facing the same direction as the students. Everyone will bow.
When the teacher turns 180 degrees back to face the students
class is over and students can leave. |
