When is someone ready to teach?

[Brad]

yeah this diffenetly is a powerfull topic it would be nice to have all thoes aspects that you mentioned supergroup7. But unfortunetly no one is perfect includeing me.

[supergroup7]

unfortunetly no one is perfect includeing me

Yes Brad, no one is perfect ( including me too). If we look at the Dojo Kun we can see that the idea is to strive for a better character. Each time we hold onto our initial reactions, and show patience, respect, or self-denial, or a firm unshaken spirit we are building up those qualities within us. These virtues build up from a daily effort to include them in our karate training. The dojo provides us with many opportunities to work on our patience, and humility. We might even find that we become more happy when we are less inclined to get upset, angered, and frustrated at the little things in life that constantly wear on our nerves.

I believe that this is where Sosai's mottoe helps the most "Introspection begets wisdom." By looking at what we thought happened, looking at what the results were, looking at what others might think have happened, looking at how we felt about things etc. we can gain different perspectives, and learn from each happening. As we gain in this skill ourselves, we can use it to help others through our own example, and abilities and become better citizens of society. Our karate training starts to overflow into our lives, and we become more centered in our workplace, as a parent, as a spouse.

This centered individual makes for a great Sensei. He/she can be a living example of how to work on one's character at the same time as learning a Martial art. Why? because he/she isn't perfect either. We can see what strategies they use to enhance their good qualities, and limit the effect of their negative ones.

[Nix]

Many great points and wise words have been raised in this discussion already. Spirit, the system you describe is somewhat similar to what we use, though not as structuralized. In order to graduate to one of the higher grades, it is expected that you "give something back", show that you have the right attitude and really wish to dedicate yourself to the dojo and karate. More specifically, it has been a part of our curriculum for many years that to become brown or black belt, you have to instruct or assist in instructing one of the classes, though several lower kyu's (down to around 6th kyu) are happy to assist as well. For me, it is not really about what the curriculum says, I teach because I enjoy it, plus you really experience karate in an entirelly different way. And I believe most of those I know feel the same way.

Regarding brad's question about beeing taught by a "minor". To me, the rank or age of the instructor is insignificant, at least to some degree. If a person has something good to say, then by all means let him. My old instructor was only 17 years old and 2nd kyu at the time, yet he was, and still is, a very skilled and respected instructor. I think all the students acknowledged that, even though some was more than twice his age. What I might have a problem with, is the way the minor (and by minor I'm thinking one of a lower grade than yourself) tells you that you are doing something wrong. I would be gravely offended if a blue-belt with little technical knowledge corrected my kata/sabaki/kihon in an arrogant know-it-all fashion. Arrogance combined with ignorance is a cocktail I simply cannot cope with.

A good instructor needs to respect his students, just as they respect him. He should also accept that he is not always better than his students at everything, not everybody has the same talents. Therefore, he must be open to suggestions or constructive criticism from his students at all times.

[supergroup7]

Wow Nix.. when I read this quote:

What I might have a problem with, is the way the minor (and by minor I'm thinking one of a lower grade than yourself) tells you that you are doing something wrong. I would be gravely offended if a blue-belt with little technical knowledge corrected my kata/sabaki/kihon in an arrogant know-it-all fashion. Arrogance combined with ignorance is a cocktail I simply cannot cope with.

I couldn't help thinking how great a starter this would be for another thread. There are so many aspects to this that can be discussed! Would it be possible for you to start a new thread with this thought? I'd be standing ready.

[Nix]

supergroup7: I will see to it tomorrow or the day after.

Osu.

[Davidkyokushinstudent]

Originally Posted by supergroup7

Excellent topic supergroup7

I'd just like to give credit to the person who asked the question in the first place. It was Davidkyokushinstudent who brought this topic up in another thread. I just copy, and pasted the question over here, and answered it with my thoughts.

I agree with all of you, Davidkyokushinstudent did bring up an excellent topic. Thank you, Davidkyokushinstudent.. Do you mind if I just call you David?

You can call me David, that is my name. I want to thank you for opening this new thread as it has expanded on the original question that I see has many answers. It seems that the constant in all the esteemed thoughts is that teaching is something that is not to be entered into lightly, for fear of corrupting the lesson.

I have been instructed in Kyokushin by three different teachers, all of whom have their own traits.
First was a 2nd dan sempai, he was extrmely informative in his explanations of teqnique and was focused greatly on body momentum and fitness training. I found his teachings to be very easly understood, he also put his own spin on his teaching and made it his own in a way.
Secondly, was a 3rd dan Sensei (who is now a shihan). He was also explanatory of technique and the effect it would have on an oponent. He was greatly focused on the importance of correct stances, on strength of technique and above all was very traditional in his teaching and overall running of the dojo. I found his teaching to be of great help to me and i credit him for the respect and passion i have for the martial way.
My current teacher is a first dan, he runs through the syllabus and instructs us to the best of his knowlege. I am learning what i need to learn, but i feel that he is just going through the motions, I feel that i am somehow getting a diluted version of kyokushin, and i feel that this is happening alot lately. What is kyokushin if you take the feeling out of the technique? Am i being too dramatic? or does anyone else sense this?
I am thinking of changing my dojo. I ask for advice as this is something i ultimately dont want to do. Also i have the utmost respect for my sempai and in no way am i implying that he is at fault as a teacher. Maybe i am at fault as a student for having expectations from him?

[supergroup7]

" What is kyokushin if you take the feeling out of the technique? Am i being too dramatic? or does anyone else sense this?
I am thinking of changing my dojo. I ask for advice as this is something i ultimately dont want to do. Also i have the utmost respect for my sempai and in no way am i implying that he is at fault as a teacher. Maybe i am at fault as a student for having expectations from him?"

Osu, these are alot of important questions, and asking them opens you up to vulnerability. Please understand that the real answers to these are held within you, but perhaps my thoughts may help you uncover what it is that you are seeking. Not all of the words of answer given to your questions will speak true, please take what is helpful, and disregard that which is not.

"What is kyokushin if you take the feeling out of the technique? Am i being too dramatic? or does anyone else sense this?"

I am having difficulties understanding what you mean by "taking the feeling out of a technique". When I perform a technique, I do it to my fullest ability for that moment. No one can take that away from me. Could you expand a little as to why you are feeling this way without using direct reference to your training in the dojo ( feel free to give a substitute generic example) so that I can understand the question better.

I am thinking of changing my dojo.... Maybe i am at fault as a student for having expectations from him?

There are many aspects to think about before one changes their dojo. This could be a thread to itself, and may become one. First, you have to ask yourself about the distance the dojo is from your home. If you are now travelling only 20 minutes to get to class, are you willing to double that to be able to train under a different Sensei?
Second, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to lose your reputation, and interrelations with the other dojo students that you have built. Entering a new dojo means getting to know a new set of students that may or may not support your preferred way of training. It will be important to adapt to the "feel", traditions, and little differences of that dojo. Third, how long have you invested your time at your present dojo? Losing a student is sometimes difficult for a Sensei. They might not understand that you are looking for a different path, and see your decision as a personal insult. Things might go badly for you, and return to that dojo may become impossible. Are you willing to risk this? Fourth, are you willing to accept a new Sensei's point of view, and style of teaching? Each Sensei has their own Way. Some stress this, others stress that.. you need to find a Sensei that matches your inner desires as a Karate Ka. It will not do you good if you seek to compete internationally to chose a Sensei who focuses on other things, and has no interest in supporting competition.

I believe that it is best to visit the various other Kyokushin dojo in your area, and get a good idea as to what happens there before you commit yourself to this person as your Sensei. What are the students like in the dojo? How are the classes run? Is this Sensei a person that you would want forming you as a Kyokushin student?

Are you at fault for having expectations from your Sensei? In my opinion, no. I know that I searched through many different dojo, and watched, and trained under many Sensei before I found the one that I knew I could value with my whole heart. It's not that the other Sensei were bad, or wrong... It was more that we were not walking on the same path. I can equate this inner understanding with music. My present Sensei was singing the same song as I, and I knew that we would be able to harmonize. Does this make any sense?

[Davidkyokushinstudent]

Osu. Thankyou Supergroup7 You do make alot of sense.
I will try to explain what i mean about Kyokushin without feeling.

You do not require feeling to throw a punch or a kick, it is quite easy to do. But if your punch or kick is to be effective it is to be performed with strength, speed and spirit. I should have not used the word feeling, rather the word spirit, as it may have convayed the wrong message in my question.

A technique that lacks spirit, is not complete, and Karate without spirit is just punching and kicking. This is what i feel is lacking from my sempais instructing, he addresses the the techniques, but there is no feeling of a connection of spirit. After sharing your insight, i feel that this is not so much a problem with my Sempai. Maybe the problem is with me afterall?

[supergroup7]

A technique that lacks spirit, is not complete, and Karate without spirit is just punching and kicking.

OSU, Now I understand! Thank you, David.

That is so true, Karate without spirit is equated to dancing. In fact, karate centers on uniting our ability to "throw a strike" with the inner spirit. When we kiai, we are showing a unification of spirit, and body. Without this focus, we are still in the learning stage of training, or in other words, we haven't perfected our technique. It's similar to music. I'm sure that you have heard someone playing a song, and it's technically right, but there is nothing in it's performance that reveals the person. Then someone will get up, and you can sense that the whole person is in that performance, and the song takes on a life of it's own. THAT is Karate.

When you perform your techniques, even if you are doing kihon geiko ( standing basics), it helps to center your spirit. All Karate comes from the center, not from the hands, and feet. Do not focus on your hand as it punches, but on the movement of your center of gravity/hips/abdomen.. or in other words your Hara area. The Hara is the center of the circle. Feel the flow of power surge up from the base of your foot, go through your center, and explode out through whatever limb is striking. See beyond your target. Breathing is ESSENTIAL to being able to link spirit with strike. Look at how you are breathing. Are you holding your breath when you strike, or are you breathing in unity with your movements? Your breathing pattern can change how much you can invest into each movement.

Kata is a wonderful resource for tapping into this spirit unified movement. In it's movement you can feel where your center of gravity is going as you change directions, see how you are breathing, and learn how to use your hara in each circumstance.

Maybe the problem is with me afterall?

It could be so. I'd like to say that this is a very insightful question that you have put forwards. It gives you a chance to look honestly at yourself, and to change those things that you have under your control. You will not be able to change your Instructor, but you are totally capable of improving yourself. I wish you full success in this.

[Deaken]

I think that Spririt in a classroom or dojo is often defined by how dynamic and enthousiastic the instructer makes the class. This is different from your internal "spirit" when you are executing your training. It is more the spirit of the room or the class.

Maybe your Shodan teacher is just not as dynamic an instructor (even though he is technically sound) as your other teachers, therefore the energy level and "spirit" of the classes aren't the same as your previous two teachers?

In my opinion the energy that an instructor imparts to set the training class feeling is as important as their technical ability. A good instructor has both qualities, and works hard to improve both to keep everyone excited and engaged during training.

OSU.

[jcbel]

Deaken makes a very good point - yes we must put spirit into our training, but at the same time the instructor should be able to coordinate the class as a whole, not little pockets of people trying to do the same thing but failing.

When the instructor is able to do this the energy level goes up and makes the training that much better, at least in my experience. So yes I have a lot of respect for those people who run training camps that have hundreds of people in them!!

[Davidkyokushinstudent]

Yes i agree, that the spirit or energy level is as important as the technique. To my instructors defence, I trained last night and it was the most physical and high energy class ( spirit filled ) that i have participated in ( at his dojo ) to date!Very traditional, maybe he read my posts in this thread? LOL.
Yet to recite the dojo kun though...

[jcbel]

Yes I remember after those especially charged training sessions we would recite the dojo kun and you could feel the electricity...