Is it just me, or do other people have a problem with the model of how people are learning Kenpo nowdays?
A few assumptions first:
1. There has never been a time when there were more Kenpo Seminars available.
2. Generally, Kenpo schools are few and far between (... except when they are not, even Austin, TX has 3 or 4 studios and you should see L.A. or California in general.)
3. Video and DVD seminars and lessons are more available and of higher quality than ever before. Certain individuals and organizations offer these as a substitute for live training, hence they are not "reference material" rather the primary medium for learning.
4. You cannot do good, effective Kenpo without a training partner.
These are not intended to be questions, but rather strong generalizations of the 3 basic modalities of "learning." There are always combinations of the above, e.g. you go to classes, attend every seminar available, and have an extensive VCR/DVD library of Kenpo.
You can still answer address this issue.
Training by yourself, and travelling to seminars is not sufficient to progress in the Art, unless you already have learned "how" to move, i.e. you have gained sufficient rank in Kenpo (Black or Brown) to be able to learn the material, the "whats."
I have an issue with those who see someone for seminars once or twice a year and consider themselves as that person's student, and worse than that is the remote learning student who does not have to ever see an instructor. I think most could agree on that. At least the guys who test in-person or get a lesson every now and then have more credence in my eyes. What really irritates me personally, is the student, and we are all students regardless of rank, who has not had what they need to learn Kenpo ... but they think they have, and express it on forums, in opening schools, or in false advertising. Some just don't know "what they don't know", out of sheer ignorance and from a lack of exposure to good Kenpoists.
Mr. Conatser did a great article which I reproduced on my website with his permission, See Here . It defines the roles of the Instructor as being a Teacher, a Coach, a Trainer, and as an Innovator.
I see people trying to go streight to "Innovator" as a result of seminars. This is not limited to the Cross-Training guys, they are looking elsewhere because someone was either not an Innovator, hence they felt Kenpo was lacking, or their instructor did not meet the criteria for a "good instructor" and know the System. Another group of students leave due to their own agendas, set way before we ever meet them.
Does everyone out there get pissed about the amount of "bad Kenpo" right now? Or is it only me? My rank reflects my ability in the Art. I am challenged to step up to the plate every time I go to a lesson or seminar, every time I am in a Black Belt Technique line, every time I do a demo. It is easy to look good ... it is an entirely separate issue to be good.
Yours in Kenpo
A few assumptions first:
1. There has never been a time when there were more Kenpo Seminars available.
2. Generally, Kenpo schools are few and far between (... except when they are not, even Austin, TX has 3 or 4 studios and you should see L.A. or California in general.)
3. Video and DVD seminars and lessons are more available and of higher quality than ever before. Certain individuals and organizations offer these as a substitute for live training, hence they are not "reference material" rather the primary medium for learning.
4. You cannot do good, effective Kenpo without a training partner.
These are not intended to be questions, but rather strong generalizations of the 3 basic modalities of "learning." There are always combinations of the above, e.g. you go to classes, attend every seminar available, and have an extensive VCR/DVD library of Kenpo.
You can still answer address this issue.
Training by yourself, and travelling to seminars is not sufficient to progress in the Art, unless you already have learned "how" to move, i.e. you have gained sufficient rank in Kenpo (Black or Brown) to be able to learn the material, the "whats."
I have an issue with those who see someone for seminars once or twice a year and consider themselves as that person's student, and worse than that is the remote learning student who does not have to ever see an instructor. I think most could agree on that. At least the guys who test in-person or get a lesson every now and then have more credence in my eyes. What really irritates me personally, is the student, and we are all students regardless of rank, who has not had what they need to learn Kenpo ... but they think they have, and express it on forums, in opening schools, or in false advertising. Some just don't know "what they don't know", out of sheer ignorance and from a lack of exposure to good Kenpoists.
Mr. Conatser did a great article which I reproduced on my website with his permission, See Here . It defines the roles of the Instructor as being a Teacher, a Coach, a Trainer, and as an Innovator.
I see people trying to go streight to "Innovator" as a result of seminars. This is not limited to the Cross-Training guys, they are looking elsewhere because someone was either not an Innovator, hence they felt Kenpo was lacking, or their instructor did not meet the criteria for a "good instructor" and know the System. Another group of students leave due to their own agendas, set way before we ever meet them.
Does everyone out there get pissed about the amount of "bad Kenpo" right now? Or is it only me? My rank reflects my ability in the Art. I am challenged to step up to the plate every time I go to a lesson or seminar, every time I am in a Black Belt Technique line, every time I do a demo. It is easy to look good ... it is an entirely separate issue to be good.
Yours in Kenpo