To a white belt, many of the traditional rituals are confusing. They seem pointless, or even tedious. Removing your shoes, bowing to just about everything and everyone and cleaning the dojo can seem annoying and unnecessary. After all, you’re there to learn the combative arts — you don’t need to know all these things! Of course, the reality is really something different.

True, when you signed up for martial arts traditional training you didn’t sign up to be housekeeper for the dojo, but as with any martial arts traditional training, there is always a deeper meaning to any action or request.

Let’s take a look at the act of bowing. When you enter a dojo (martial arts school), you are asked to bow. In general, bowing is a sign of respect. It is like shaking hands or saying “thank you.” You bow to the shrine to show respect to the founders of your particular style and you bow to your Sensei, instructors and fellow students to show respect as well. It isn’t just harassing the new white belt student; there’s actual meaning and respect behind the action.

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