A demonstration gone wrong ... but a good end none the less.

[wushuguy]

A friend of mine that does a different martial art came to visit and watch my class. At the end of the class I showed some of the normal demonstrations that I do like proper body structure vs strength, etc. so I normally ask the biggest guy in the room to use all his strength for the demo, but today there was a student of mine. He was larger and stronger than me so I asked him to apply strength in one way while i used my body structure to effortlessly resist him. however, it didn't work as normal, and he was able to overpower me. I couldn't believe it at first, why did I have to use my own strength for this demonstration that I have done time and again, even against people much larger than him? Then I paid attention to my student's technique. He was using proper body structure which we were practicing just in today's class as well as his greater strength. Needless to say I was glad that he learned so well and was doing this naturally, not having to prepare and think about it. So instead of the normal demo, I used the chance to show the difference when he uses correct body structure vs strength only. Today I was very happy to see that my students are really learning to apply principles learned in class instinctively and naturally.

 

[ggg214]

that's a good news.
on the other hand, it shows that strength is not useless.under the right body structure, it can burst more power than less strong person.

 

[mook jong man]

A friend of mine that does a different martial art came to visit and watch my class. At the end of the class I showed some of the normal demonstrations that I do like proper body structure vs strength, etc. so I normally ask the biggest guy in the room to use all his strength for the demo, but today there was a student of mine. He was larger and stronger than me so I asked him to apply strength in one way while i used my body structure to effortlessly resist him. however, it didn't work as normal, and he was able to overpower me. I couldn't believe it at first, why did I have to use my own strength for this demonstration that I have done time and again, even against people much larger than him? Then I paid attention to my student's technique. He was using proper body structure which we were practicing just in today's class as well as his greater strength. Needless to say I was glad that he learned so well and was doing this naturally, not having to prepare and think about it. So instead of the normal demo, I used the chance to show the difference when he uses correct body structure vs strength only. Today I was very happy to see that my students are really learning to apply principles learned in class instinctively and naturally.

Don't worry about it , you will learn from the experience and grow as a martial artist.

 

[kidswarrior]

A friend of mine that does a different martial art came to visit and watch my class. At the end of the class I showed some of the normal demonstrations that I do like proper body structure vs strength, etc. so I normally ask the biggest guy in the room to use all his strength for the demo, but today there was a student of mine. He was larger and stronger than me so I asked him to apply strength in one way while i used my body structure to effortlessly resist him. however, it didn't work as normal, and he was able to overpower me. I couldn't believe it at first, why did I have to use my own strength for this demonstration that I have done time and again, even against people much larger than him? Then I paid attention to my student's technique. He was using proper body structure which we were practicing just in today's class as well as his greater strength. Needless to say I was glad that he learned so well and was doing this naturally, not having to prepare and think about it. So instead of the normal demo, I used the chance to show the difference when he uses correct body structure vs strength only. Today I was very happy to see that my students are really learning to apply principles learned in class instinctively and naturally.

'As long as one teaches, one learns.' But it's a rare teacher who can be transparent while learning in front of the class. :asian:

 

[East Winds]

wushuguy,

I had a similar experience. I used to demonstrate the opening of Taiji by asking a student (usually, like you, the biggest in the class) to help me. I used to ask them to hold my wrists and I simply lifted up my wrists which they could prevent quite easily. I then showed them pushing my fingers forward rather than lifting them up, and of course it was unstoppable. But like you, one day it did not happen and I could not work out why. Then I noticed that rather than standing in the usual horse stance, he was standing in Bow Stance!!!! The unstopable attempting to move the imovable!!!!!

A lesson well learned and of course it was a perfect scenario to show students never to expect a particular reaction from a particular situation!!!!!

Very best wishes

 

[seasoned]

Thanks for sharing. Some of my best learning experiences were while I was teaching. Some of the best gratification as an instructor is when your teaching is grasped by our students.

 

[Tensei85]

I would say that's a great experience to see your "to di" skill's progress before you & it also shows your talent as an Instructor/Shifu. It's truly a rare Shifu to be able to transmit his/her skills - proper mechanics to there to di, so congrats on your never ending experience as a Teacher. Hope to hear more stories in the future.