The New Ninja :P

NIHON GOJU KARATE

So, I just got back from another karate lesson. Though this is not my first class, there's something interesting about our Sensei. Unlike my previous Sensei in Ninjutsu, Sensei Raymond is in his 50's I think. So instead of practicing our punches at the Gym when I was in STF, we practice at the Dojo. And so you'll have the wooden platform covered with mats.

I gotta say the only Malays, well Muslims too I guess are Farhanah and I. As usual, etiquette always comes first in any martial arts. And like before, in Ninja, we would just bow to our Sensei and say "Sensei onagashimasu". But this time it's slightly different, in a way, we have to sit in front of a picture of our Grandmaster (Sort of like the founder) and bow to him too. During that time, my friend and I were a bit blur and we sorta just like lower our heads (not entirely to the floor). 

Right after that, and before starting our lesson, he whispered something to the Senpai. Senpai Ian approached us right afterwards and said something we'd never thought he'd say. . .

"You don't need to bow if you don't want to. It's perfectly fine. We understand that," he said.

We were like "Huh?"

"We understand that some religions do not allow performing this bowing thing as it is sorta something like a ritual . . . So it's totally fine" 

And then it struck us. "Owhh. . . . Okay. Thanks." 

We ended up having a blast. (Okay fine, maybe I'm a little bit over exaggerating. . . But I can't help it that the fact that I love martial arts so much! <3 ) 

We ended up saying thank you to our Sensei for being so understanding because we wouldn't even have thought of asking him whether or not we can be excluded from bowing to the picture of the Grandmaster. I have to say that, for someone who teaches martial arts and is entirely strong in terms of his spiritual side, he has my respect. 

Is it because he's Asian and all Asians are aware of their customs and beliefs?? And also that they are more sensitive towards these things? And by sensitive I mean, understanding since they all have diverse cultures and somewhat are similar to each other in a certain way. Etiquette will always be the priority(?). >,O The answer to all this, well, COULD BE. But still, let's not stereotype things. Haha. There could be a lot more reasons to that of why the Sensei is such a considerate person. Wisdom perhaps? N'ah~ Oh well, we'll just have to leave it to that for us to wonder. . . 

In the mean time, stay tuned as I have more stories to share. I'll be posting them soon insyaAllah. Toodles~ :3