I love karate! Always have done and always will.

Although I am not Japanese, it is upsetting when I see someone bow disrespectfully.
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of shotokan karate, said, ?Karate begins and ends with courtesy’.

I used to love the fighting more than anything else in karate, but the older I get, the more I realize, karate is more than just fighting.

Let us get to it! People with good characters are liked and are content, people with bad characters, are not liked and are not content.

One of the best ways to start working on the development of character through karate practice, is the bow.

When a karate instructor teaches a karate for beginners course, they will always emphasize the importance of the bow.

The Karate Bow (Rei)
1. Starting from the feet together stance (heisoku-dachi), thumbs bent, hands open and placed flat against the outside of the thighs.
2. Bend from the waist, keeping the back straight.
3. Head and eyes remain fixed, so as you bow you look down.
4. The degree of bend in the body, does not have to be great, but the sincere attitude you have when you bow, should be!
5. Hold the final bow position for two to three seconds, then slowly return to the straight back starting position.
6. Breath out naturally and silently on the downward movement of the bow.

When someone first starts to learn karate, it is really important to spend time on the basic techniques and the bow or rei, is classed as a basic karate move.

Please remember, you should always combine anything you learn online, with taking karate lessons with a fully qualified karate sensei (teacher or instructor).

Linden has been training and teaching karate for over 30 years and loves to share his knowledge and experiences in the martial arts. Supplement your dojo training with these free online karate videos, at karate classes online.?Linden has been training and teaching karate for over 30 years and loves to share his knowledge and experiences in the martial arts. Supplement your dojo training with these free online karate videos, at karate classes online.

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