« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu  (Read 481 times)

Offline bogirl

  • Global Moderator
  • Black Belt 2nd
  • *****
  • Posts: 3328
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2009, 11:58:19 PM »
Quote from: phoenix on January 12, 2009, 05:42:58 PM
Tracy, not to be arguminative, but isn't required and forced the same thing?

They are only required to ASSIST in a class with an instructor for 4 months.  After that, they never HAVE to teach.
Logged
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid beholder a black eye."  Miss Piggy

Tracy

Offline Bluecrab

  • Global Moderator
  • Green Belt
  • *****
  • Posts: 291
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2009, 05:49:49 PM »
Interesting topic.

Maybe it would make sense to identify a kind of middle ground, which I seem to occupy these days. That would be not teaching formally, as in teaching an entire class alone, but in working with others under the auspices of the main teacher. For example, in our classes we frequently have the more senior dan-ranked students work with the more junior students to help them hands-on with our techniques. I do this all the time. I really enjoy it, because it gives me an opportunity to pass along what I've managed to learn. At the same time, it is not a formal "teaching" obligation.

I agree with Andy and John, in that I think there are plenty of experienced martial artists who just don't want to teach formally for some reason. But I bet most of those people would be comfortable doing the type of informal teaching I've just described.

No matter how senior a person is, if they don't want to teach, it will show, and neither they nor the students will benefit.
Logged
"The Korean founder, Mr. Choi Yong Sul, said, 'When you are forty, you can get to know the primary skills.' This expresses how difficult hapkido training is." (http://jungkikwan.com)

Offline phoenix

  • Purple Belt
  • *
  • Posts: 919
    • NW Shudokan
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2009, 05:42:58 PM »
Tracy, not to be arguminative, but isn't required and forced the same thing?
Logged

Offline bogirl

  • Global Moderator
  • Black Belt 2nd
  • *****
  • Posts: 3328
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2009, 05:40:01 PM »
We require all of our Shodan-ho to spend at least four months of that year assisting in a class.  The reason for that is to have them give back a part of what they've beeen given, by helping teach others.  It also gives them a chance to see if they like teaching and what to pursue more of it as they continue on their journey.  They are never forced to teach.

I love teaching, it feels so good when a student you've been working with "gets it".  I also like to train for me, and you can't usually do both at the same time.
Logged
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid beholder a black eye."  Miss Piggy

Tracy

Offline phoenix

  • Purple Belt
  • *
  • Posts: 919
    • NW Shudokan
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2009, 01:31:48 PM »
Quote
Teaching is a choice, and it is a choice that not all Yudansha wish to make for various reasons.

I am willing to share knowledge, both in and out the Dojo, but I don't see that aspect as a duty or obligation.

I agree with John.  I have had black belts that have no desire to teach, in fact, they hated it.  I think that black belt is a personal goal, if you want to share it by teaching, that is great.  I have a black belt class where black belts are instructed, they do not have to teach.  I have a begginers class and an intermediate class that black belts can join, but are asked to help.  I have a couple of black belts that only want to take the black belt class, and that is OK with me.  If your heart is not in teaching, then you should not do it.
Logged

Offline Bluecrab

  • Global Moderator
  • Green Belt
  • *****
  • Posts: 291
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2009, 12:53:35 PM »
John, slightly off topic, but I never knew until now that you're a shodan in judo.

Do you still practice judo?
Logged
"The Korean founder, Mr. Choi Yong Sul, said, 'When you are forty, you can get to know the primary skills.' This expresses how difficult hapkido training is." (http://jungkikwan.com)

Offline Alcatraz

  • Global Moderator
  • Purple Belt
  • *****
  • Posts: 825
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2009, 04:59:51 AM »
I am a Karate Yondan (4th Dan) who has been studying Karate for 32 years, and a Judo Shodan (1st Dan) who has been studying Judo, on and off, for 20 years, and I DON'T teach. I find it more important to study Karate and Judo for ME and to benefit ME.

Teaching is a choice, and it is a choice that not all Yudansha wish to make for various reasons.

I am willing to share knowledge, both in and out the Dojo, but I don't see that aspect as a duty or obligation.

I have taught in the past, and enjoyed every minute of it, and I was proud of my students achievments, but I found that it took too much time away from my own personal study of Martial Arts in general, and Karate in particular.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2009, 05:06:44 AM by Alcatraz »
Logged
Speak Soon (John Clark)- 4th Dan

Hanko-ryu Karate-do.
Ayrshire Okinawan Karate Dojo.

Offline shudokan-RN

  • Blue Belt
  • *
  • Posts: 668
Re: Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2009, 11:56:34 PM »
I find this to be true... The Black belts in my Dojo have unlimited patience and always GREAT constructive criticism.

Truly a black belt is a goal, not a color

marci
Logged
Calvin: "People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."
Hobbes: "Isn't your pants zipper supposed to be in the front?"

Offline BOBBY BUDDAH JONES

  • White Belt
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Pass it on. From a student of Isshinryu
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2009, 11:20:07 PM »
It is the duty of a Black Belt to pass on what they have learned. In the Dojo this should take priority over ones own goals. Teaching others is the greatest learning experiance that any one could have. The questions of others is a constant challenge that opens our minds and makes us a better martial artist. This passing of knowledge not only helps the student, it helps the instructor and the Dojo continue to grow. To me there is no greater honor than to be the black belt that someone chooses to approach with a question. :)
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »