The Importance of Bowing in the Martial Arts

Bowing, though a common tradition in Martial Arts Schools, is nonetheless an often misunderstood tradition.

In Martial Arts there is a lot of bowing going on. People bow when they enter the school, they bow to each other a lot, they bow to the instructor, they bow before sparring. They seem to bow to everything except the water fountain.

We often have a hard time understanding this because bowing is not used in this country and the last time it was really used heavily was during the dark days of slavery when slaves had to bow to their masters.

In the orient bowing does not mean the same thing as it once did here. It doesn't mean that one person is acknowledging the other as a superior or a master, even if that person is the Master of the school. Bowing, to the Japanese, Chinese and Koreans, is much the same as shaking hands is in Western cultures. It's a sign of friendship, respect and mutual admiration, not subservience.

In the martial arts bowing is very important because it reminds us of the importance of what we are doing, and the need to always be aware and in control. When a student bows before entering the training hall he is saying that he has respect for the training that happens there. He is also saying that he will do his best to uphold the honor of the school and to strive to be as good a student as he can be.

When students bow to the instructor at the beginning of the class, they are showing their respect for the Sensei's years of training, his knowledge and his skill. When the teacher bows back he is doing more than acknowledging the student's bow; he is also showing his respect for the students. Remember that a teacher was once a student himself and knows full well how tough it is to be a beginner and to work hard up through the ranks.

When students bow to each other before training or sparring they are saying, "I will try my best to show you honor and respect, and not to injure you in any way." This is especially important before sparring match because it reminds us that this is not a fight, but another aspect of training and that this person is not the enemy but a friend and fellow student. It helps one to be reminded of the need for restraint and control over techniques.

It may seem like there shouldn't be any need to continue the bows after the first time, but since the martial arts are potentially deadly, and always dangerous you can never be too concerned with safety, good manners and good sportsmanship. The next time you bow, remember that it is the key to understanding the respect and etiquette of the martial arts.

HOW TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFER WHILE SHOPPING AND TRAVELING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) wants to remind parents not to let their guard down or be distracted while traveling or attending public celebrations during this 2007 holiday season.

NCMEC has issued child safety tips for parents to keep children safer while shopping and traveling.

Parents need to talk with children about safety before heading out to a busy shopping mall or boarding a plane, train, or bus this holiday season. Crowds are greater this time of year and children may easily become separated from their parents, causing confusion and fear. If it happens, parents need a plan and children should know what to do.

"Unfortunately many adults and children don't know what to do if they lose each other in a public place or are faced with other unsafe situations," said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen. "That's why the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is offering advice on how to remain safe and avoid panic and potential dangers."

Allen said that NCMEC urges parents to do the following:

ALWAYS:
Require children to stay with you at all times while shopping.

Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.

Have a plan in place in case you become separated, including a pre-designated spot to meet.

Teach children to look for people who can help, such as a uniformed security officer, salesperson or mother with children.

Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated.

Turn shopping trips into opportunities to practice safe shopping skills.

NEVER:
Dress children in clothing that displays their first or last names, prompting unwelcome attention from people looking for an opportunity to start a conversation with your child.

Leave children in toy stores or public facilities expecting supervision from store personnel.

Go shopping or attend a public event with a child if you feel you're going to be distracted. Make other arrangements for child care ahead of time.

Allow younger children to shop on their own to purchase surprise gifts for friends or family members.

Drop off older children at a mall or public place without agreeing on a clear plan for picking them up, including: where, what time, and what to do in case of a change in plans.


If your child is flying or riding a train or bus alone this holiday season, NCMEC urges parents to remember the following travel safety tips:

When you make reservations for your child, specify that the child will be traveling alone.

Whenever possible, book a direct flight or route. If flying, avoid booking the last flight of the day.

Plan to visit the airport, train or bus terminal prior to departure. Let your child know what to expect, so the experience will not be so intimidating.

Remain at the station or gate until the train, plane or bus departs, in case there is a delay or cancellation.

Make sure children travel with proper identification and contact information for parents or guardians.

Always have a back-up plan for the person or people meeting the plane at the destination, in case they are delayed.

Encourage children not to become too friendly with other passengers or to reveal any personal information.

BEATING THE FLU by EATING RIGHT

Why Is Flu Risk So Much Higher in the Winter?

By Dale Kiefer

This age-old mystery has confounded scientists for the last century. Like clockwork, influenza infects the majority of its victims during the winter months in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Infection with the flu virus leaves millions around the world bedridden with debilitating symptoms such as fever, body pains, sore throat, and cough. The very young and elderly are particularly susceptible to catastrophic complications from the flu, including death. Moreover, the recent emergence of flu strains such as H5N1 leaves many experts on infectious disease worried about the potential for global devastation even worse than that of the 1918-19 flu pandemic, which was linked to at least 50 million deaths worldwide.

A fascinating new theory seeks to explain why flu takes hold during the winter months and why it infects so many people, particularly elderly adults. At the heart of this theory is the presence of a vitamin deficiency in certain populations, including aging adults, around the world.

In this article, we examine this intriguing theory, and how defending against the flu may be as simple as taking enough of a common nutritional supplement.

Influenza Outbreak: A Modern Mystery
One of the greatest medical mysteries of the ages may finally have been solved, thanks to a newly published theory regarding the relationship between influenza and its peak onset during the winter months.1 Published just months before the start of the annual flu season, this novel theory addresses questions that have puzzled scientists for decades: why does flu strike almost exclusively in winter, and why are the elderly often at greatest risk of contracting the disease?

The answers to these questions are of more than academic interest. In the US alone, influenza hospitalizes more than 100,000 people and kills more than 30,000 in an average year.2,3 With the recent scares over avian (bird) flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), many scientists believe it is only a matter of time before the world is gripped by a deadly pandemic. Improving our understanding of these diseases may help us avert disaster from influenza and other severe respiratory viruses.

Surprisingly, the solution may be as simple as supplementing with higher-than-usual amounts of a common vitamin in the fall and winter months..........

We'd like to remind everyone that this month's belt exam will be Saturday - 15 December 2007

Please review the testing schedule, exam roster, and upcoming events to see how it may affect you by visiting our website
@ http://www.athensmartialarts.net and clicking on the "Student Corner" icon.