Bowing is one of the most visible manifestations of martial arts etiquette. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most misunderstood practices observed by the "Western" student. Typically, the only exposure that people in our culture have to the act of bowing, is in concert with some type of religious worship. Additionally, many see the act of bowing as a sign of subservience or an admission of inferiority. For these reasons, the Western mind typically reacts to the idea of bowing often with negative feelings.

In the East the bow is not seen as a sign of subservience at all, in fact, often it is simply used as a greeting, or more typically, it is used in many ways similar to the Western handshake or the military salute.

Ordinarily, there are two types, or forms of bowing that are practiced in Hapkido. The first is the familiar standing bow. It is performed from an 'attention' posture and is done by bending forward at the waist approximately 30-45 degrees and looking down at one's feet as a sign of respect and trust. This bow is typically not held for any length of time but rather one should simply bow forward and then recover to the original 'attention' posture. Occasionally, situations arise where a Western handshake accompanies the standing bow. The handshake can be done either in conjunction with the bow or afterwards. Regardless of the timing of the handshake, proper etiquette is to always exchange a 'two-handed' handshake. This is performed by either grasping the hand of the person you are embracing with both of your hands, or by placing the left hand (open and palm down) underneath and behind your right elbow as the handshake is being exchanged.

There are many different situations where the standing bow can/should be used, a few examples are...

• when entering or leaving the practice area.
• when you greet your instructor upon arrival at the dojang and when you bid your instructor farewell as you leave the dojang.
• before you approach the instructor or a higher ranking student with a question or comment.
• before and after any practice involving a partner.
• before and after the practice of techniques.
• anytime an award or a weapon is being handed from one person to another (this should also be done with both hands - giving and receiving).

The second type of bow is the kneeling bow. This is the most formal type of bow, and is properly done at the beginning and end of each class session, testing, promotion ceremony, demonstration, or seminar. All students should stop what they are doing and join in any time a formal bow is being performed. If you are injured, or not in uniform, a standing bow would be appropriate.

The formal kneeling bow is performed beginning from an 'attention' posture. At the command "jung-swa" the left knee is placed where the left foot was while standing - this is followed by placing the right knee similarly where the right foot was - except that the right knee should be placed sightly wider so that a gap of one to two fist widths is created between the knees. The body may then be rested upon the heels. This is followed by moving the loose lengths of the belt to a position outside of the thighs. The hands are then placed, relaxed, on the inside of the thigh, close to the groin area. At the command "kyung-yea," the bow is completed by first placing the left hand, followed by the right hand on the floor in front of you, so the hands (touching) form a triangle. (This hand position is specific to martial arts. When the bow is used in social situations, the hands are place in a position approximately 8-10 inches apart.) When you bow, lower your forehead to the triangle created by the hands. This bow is typically held for 1-2 seconds. Recover to the original kneeling posture with the torso first rising to a position where the arms are nearly straight but still touching the floor - next, return the hands, left hand first, to their respective positions on the thigh near the groin area. Standing from this position is accomplished by first rising up onto the knee's and then placing the left foot where the left knee was touching the floor, followed by standing and drawing the right foot into position where the right knee was.