The structure of the seven bow beginning is as follows: "O God, be merciful...", "O God, cleanse me...", "Having created...", "I have sinned...", "My sovereign, most holy...", "O Angel, my holy Guardian..." and "Holy Apostle...".
[1] After each of these short prayers a bow is made.
This beginning can be found e. g. in the order for reading canons and akathists when alone.
[2] Old Believers use a different form of seven bow beginning which uses another wording.
[3] The Old Believer version actually contains eight bows, with the last one being done without making the sign of the cross.