Should I use my experience as a teacher in Goshin in my Shotokan Class

[Rick]

I think you should suck it up and not teach, unless asked to by the teacher.

But... I know how you feel. I've politely listened to people I knew had no clue what they were talking about. Just consider it self-control training.

[bladesaint]

 Nope, keep it shut and just learn and observe.

[BlueDragon1981]

I really don't have issues with the art itself. I trust the instructor to teach. The main thing is training myself to move like that after so many years of doing it ever so slightly different. Its good for me to adapt. I am a person who gets set in how I do things. Having to adapt and change is something that is simply a good thing.

I just have a problem holding myself back from teaching mode.... as I did that a long time also.

I do regret that I have not been to class in awhile. Life seems to simply get in the way sometimes. To understand that you would have to know my personal story... and that is another post. 

[RETAFSGT]

Great advice from everyone. I have been a Shotokan instructor for the past 15 Years, teaching primarily on AF bases.. so I get a lot of students from different styles that join my class. You took a great humble step by choosing to start at White Belt. 

If you see somehting that looks different from your prior training, it probably is. I am working with a 30 Year Kempo instructor, and the "back and forth" on stlye is a never ending discussion. But, in class it is strickly Shotokan..after class him and work out on both styles.

Different does not make it worng..keep an open mind..if you feel comforatable enough with your new Instructor maybe talk about issues outside of class. But I found that if you wait the issue will work itself out in time.

   

[NightOwl]

Ah yes...you must unlearn what you learned...

I know what you mean.

The branch of my art that I'm studying at present uses a "capped" fist,  a slightly different chamber and rather than a full  turn over on punch it is a half turn.    I mentally see and know the advantages of the capped fist verses the traditional one that I learned but it has taken over a year for it to feel half way natural and even then some times the wrong one forms.


Musle memory is both good and bad.  If you are out of it and down to instinct it can save you but it sure is difficult to retrain.

Sincerely, NightOwl

[Baylin]

I know what you mean, when I spar in karate I often find that I unconciously try to incorporate jujutsu techniques which usually result in me having to duck from a slap off sensei...

[bogirl]

I simply wish to learn from what they have and do not wish to confuse anyone with the different ways Goshin did things. Most the basics have just some small differences. The kata is also different with respect to transition and footwork. (This is my issue mainly. Did it so long one way kind of hard to break the habit).

Ah yes...you must unlearn what you learned...

My instructor calls students who trained before and have to break old habits, retreads.  Because just like retread tires, under heat & pressure, they will peel back to the core (their old ways).

I ran into that from having trained for 6 years, stopping for 8, then starting again.  While I was gone they changed several things in the way we do some techniques, so it was hard for me to break the old habits. 

[BlueDragon1981]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree. I put it out there for discussion because I am sure it comes up with all the people cross training now. I have kept to myself. In fact when asked I simply tell them how long I studied the other system. Only 3 people (all instructors) know what my previous rank was. This is by my design. I simply wish to learn from what they have and do not wish to confuse anyone with the different ways Goshin did things. Most the basics have just some small differences. The kata is also different with respect to transition and footwork. (This is my issue mainly. Did it so long one way kind of hard to break the habit). If asked specifically by the instructors to share my opinion I will.

[Gi]

Blue Dragon - you are going to be training with these people for a long time and hopefully making some friends, it's probably a good time to show some humility and not step on any toes.

[Brandon]

Well said, Chihua. That describes my experience, or atleast what I would like to think of it, exactly.

[Chihua-ku]

I congratulate you on your decision to start from the bottom and work your way up after mastering one style, since it is not an easy decision. I am sure there are things ingrained in your previous style that might clash with your current one. But take a wait and see philosophy, for your own sake.
It is better to keep a humble attitude when doing this type of transition. It will help you acclimate yourself and learn faster. Your true experience will eventually show itself. Starting over is not easy, but it can be rewarding and eventually you should be able to integrate both styles into something intrinsically yours and stronger. But for you to make the conections, and to see were one style complements the other (and were they diverge) and how to put it all together, you need to keep an open mind.

[Brandon]

I concur.

I have had almost this exact experience. I was equivalent to Karate brown in Tang Soo Do when I started taking Shotokan classes. I didn't offer any suggestions, but I thought I knew what I was doing and kept doing it, and my progress was extremely slow. Once I more or less abandoned that idea and started as a mental white belt (I had already advanced a bit in Shotokan) I became much, much better. While my Shotokan improved, I found it also helped my Tang Soo Do with the intense focus on basics in Shotokan.

Start over, BlueDragon. Just sit back, shut up, look, listen, and sweat.

[supergroup7]

I agree with all that was suggested. 

To learn Shotokan, you need to set aside your previous expectations, knowledge, and assumptions because the philosophy of Shotokan is different from that of Goshin Jutsu.  A similar movement may have a totally different reason for existing.

Refrain from speaking, watch, and learn what Shotokan has to offer... later on, when you have achieved an understanding of Shotokan, you may find that your Goshin Jutsu experience will help open up possibilities in interpretation, and understanding your own path more fully.

If you speak up now, you may confuse others, alienate others, and lose out on what you can learn.

[bogirl]

Well, since it is a different style, AND you are starting over as a white belt, I recommend you wait a bit and just be a student for a while.  There are probably some subtle differences that you may not have picked up yet, plus you don't want to give the impression of being a "know-it-all", or undermining your new sensei's instruction.  We have had students come form other schools in the past, and it's very disturbing for the instructor when a "new" student is offering suggestions in class.

As you have knowledge well above a white belt your skill will show, so others may ask you for assistance.  At that point, offer what you have.

[galahad25]

I would refrain completely.  Your new instructor may teach things differently and you don't want to guide their students down a path that it is not intended they go on.