Seiza

正座

Traditional Japanese formal kneeling posture sitting on the heels.

Quick Facts

CategoryEtiquette

Pronunciation/[say-zah]/

Alternative NamesFormal kneeling, Kneeling posture

Definition

Seiza is the formal sitting posture on tatami. Practitioners kneel with the tops of their feet flat on the floor, resting hips on the heels. It is used for meditation (Mokuso) and formal bowing (Zarei).

Related Terms

Dojo道場

Traditional training hall for Japanese martial arts and meditation.

Rei礼

Traditional bow expressing respect, humility, and proper etiquette.

Mokuso黙想

Short quiet meditation practice performed in kneeling posture before and after class.

Associated Martial Arts

Tomari-te Satojuku Karate Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan Enshin Karate Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Yoseikan Aikido Shorinji-ryu Kenkokan Seiwakai Goju-ryu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Iwama Ryu Kosen Judo Kawaishi Judo Yoshinkan Aikido Gensei-ryu Tomiki Aikido Chito-ryu Karate Shito-ryu Motobu-ryu Karate Ashihara Karate Byakuren Kaikan Shorei-ryu Uechi-ryu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shotokan Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Matsubayashi-ryu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shidokan Shorin-ryu Seibukan Isshin-ryu Karate Kendo Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu Seidokaikan Karate Shorin-ryu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Kito-ryu Shuri-te Meibukan Goju-ryu Shorin-ryu Kyudokan Jundokan Goju-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglangquan)Kyokushin Budokai Real Aikido Naha-te Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shorinkan