Steve
Mostly Harmless
Gearing an entire class to one new student isn't the way to go. But making the new student feel unwelcome is just bad business.
What amuses me is that Two People approved anyway![]()
In my case it's because I understood what he meant to write, as I am sure did Tez and Gran; so I approved the spirit of the post rather than the literal letter of it.
In my case it's because I understood what he meant to write, as I am sure did Tez and Gran; so I approved the spirit of the post rather than the literal letter of it.
If you've been taught proper English you can understand what people mean even with spelling or grammar mistakes!
Heres the thing - If you slow down the Class for ONE Newbie who might not even like it, all the other Students suffer.
You just need to go there a couple of times, and when its clear that you actually want to learn the Art, hell probably put you over with some other Higher Ranks to build you up to a level from which you can actively partake in Class.
Remember that you are one Person, who may not even stay. He is an Instructor with numerous Students.
Be Patient![]()
So, that explains why I understood it. I'm not sure I understand the connection to you and Sukerkin, though.If you've been taught proper English you can understand what people mean even with spelling or grammar mistakes!
In another situation -- if you try to join a very traditional dojo, you may well almost be discouraged. It's not that they don't want new blood; they simply don't care. They don't solicit students. They do look for people to join the family and preserve the tradition. Unless they decide you meet that description -- they don't want you there. I can't find the article right now -- but Dave Lowry wrote an often-referenced piece about it.
While I agree with this in principle, it's not that difficult to assign a senior student to go over some basics with a newcomer on the side while the main class is doing advanced material that is likely to be well beyond them. To avoid this being a burden on the person giving up "their" training, simply rotate the person helping out the newcomer every 10-15 minutes.
IMHO, the instructor should spend a little time personally with the new student (for instance, while the rest of the class is working a particular drill), and there are likely parts of the class that would be fine for him/her to do alongside the class (warmup, basics, etc).
Making no allowances whatsoever for the newcomer simply ensures that they don't return. That may indeed be the intention here, or the instructor may just have poor customer relation skills.
Oh, I completely Agree.While I agree with this in principle, it's not that difficult to assign a senior student to go over some basics with a newcomer on the side while the main class is doing advanced material that is likely to be well beyond them. To avoid this being a burden on the person giving up "their" training, simply rotate the person helping out the newcomer every 10-15 minutes.
IMHO, the instructor should spend a little time personally with the new student (for instance, while the rest of the class is working a particular drill), and there are likely parts of the class that would be fine for him/her to do alongside the class (warmup, basics, etc).
Making no allowances whatsoever for the newcomer simply ensures that they don't return. That may indeed be the intention here, or the instructor may just have poor customer relation skills.
Good for you. Finding a school that suits your personality and in which you feel comfortable is in many ways more important than choosing one style over another. Good luck in your studies.Wow, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I haven't been on the site since I last posted so sorry for the really slow response to all your advice and questions.
The martial art taught was Shorinji kempo. I was initially drawn to the class from my research of Shorinji as the ethos seems to be very accepting of all people who want to learn it, regardless of natural ability or general fitness.
I am fairly fit and have no problems with working hard in a class so I don't mind being challenged, in fact I usually enjoy pushing myself physically. It was just the general atmosphere that sucked really. I definitely haven't been put off martial arts and have luckily found a lovely Aikido club that seems to suit me well.
Fingers crossed and thanks again for all your responses. :cheers:
Wow, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I haven't been on the site since I last posted so sorry for the really slow response to all your advice and questions.
The martial art taught was Shorinji kempo. I was initially drawn to the class from my research of Shorinji as the ethos seems to be very accepting of all people who want to learn it, regardless of natural ability or general fitness.
I am fairly fit and have no problems with working hard in a class so I don't mind being challenged, in fact I usually enjoy pushing myself physically. It was just the general atmosphere that sucked really. I definitely haven't been put off martial arts and have luckily found a lovely Aikido club that seems to suit me well.
Fingers crossed and thanks again for all your responses. :cheers:
Wow, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I haven't been on the site since I last posted so sorry for the really slow response to all your advice and questions.
The martial art taught was Shorinji kempo. I was initially drawn to the class from my research of Shorinji as the ethos seems to be very accepting of all people who want to learn it, regardless of natural ability or general fitness.
I am fairly fit and have no problems with working hard in a class so I don't mind being challenged, in fact I usually enjoy pushing myself physically. It was just the general atmosphere that sucked really. I definitely haven't been put off martial arts and have luckily found a lovely Aikido club that seems to suit me well.
Fingers crossed and thanks again for all your responses. :cheers:
Wow, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I haven't been on the site since I last posted so sorry for the really slow response to all your advice and questions.
The martial art taught was Shorinji kempo. I was initially drawn to the class from my research of Shorinji as the ethos seems to be very accepting of all people who want to learn it, regardless of natural ability or general fitness.
I am fairly fit and have no problems with working hard in a class so I don't mind being challenged, in fact I usually enjoy pushing myself physically. It was just the general atmosphere that sucked really. I definitely haven't been put off martial arts and have luckily found a lovely Aikido club that seems to suit me well.
Fingers crossed and thanks again for all your responses. :cheers:
Yay for Aikido!Wow, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I haven't been on the site since I last posted so sorry for the really slow response to all your advice and questions.
The martial art taught was Shorinji kempo. I was initially drawn to the class from my research of Shorinji as the ethos seems to be very accepting of all people who want to learn it, regardless of natural ability or general fitness.
I am fairly fit and have no problems with working hard in a class so I don't mind being challenged, in fact I usually enjoy pushing myself physically. It was just the general atmosphere that sucked really. I definitely haven't been put off martial arts and have luckily found a lovely Aikido club that seems to suit me well.
Fingers crossed and thanks again for all your responses. :cheers:
From what I know of it, shorinji kempo is a very demanding art. It's got aspects of koryu training, as well as some religious aspects. I suggest you read the Dave Lowry article, and make an appointment to speak with the instructor about joining the class.