Instructors face, I think, some issues in martial arts which relate specifically to the role they play as instructors and transcend the style, skill, or tradition they individually may follow. I feel that there are certain issues involving student interaction, authority and respect, being a role model, and communication which are universal to pupil-mentor relationships. I know that as an instructor I have several times experienced situations where I have thought, "I wonder how other instructors deal with situations like these?" Of course I communicate with the instructors I know and we discuss topics like these all the time, but I have always thought it would be beneficial if there were an internet forum for just such a thing.
I think it is important for instructors to be able to communicate across dogmatic lines about the experiences we all share as instructors. In part, I think a seperate forum is needed to protect the sanctity of the pupil-mentor relationship. Instructors need a place where they know they can refer to situations using specific examples, although not names, in order to communicate with each other. Please understand, I do not advocate a forum for negative commentary about others. I think the martial arts community would be strengthened by a place where instructors could meet, and be allowed to freely discuss issues which affect the growth of martial artists everywhere and the martial arts as a whole, safe in the knowledge that they could speak freely without fear of stifling a student who happens to stray onto his instructors words.
There are situations universal to the path we walk. Have you ever had a tough guy enter your dojo, studio, kwoon, ring, basement, college P.E. class, self defense seminar, demonstration, mass intro, temple, way place, mat, and try to convince you the technique you've taught to dozens of people, practiced for years, used spontaneously in the ring, on the street, in a bar, in the bathroom, on your friends, or your uke, doesn't work? When was the last time a student told you it was impossible for them to learn the next pattern, form, kata, poomse, freestyle combination, technique, lock, disarm, or submission, when you know hundreds of people have learned this technique for thousands of years? How many times have you seen students struggle at the same level with the same skill just before they all reach the same evolutionary leap in understanding and ability? These are not situations unique to any style or belief. This has repeated itself throughout time, as long as one person has tried to teach others the art of combat, in any form. Having a place where people who have accepted the responsibility of teaching can discuss these challenges and synergize to improve in their roles can only improve martial arts everywhere.
I think this can be done. It would require some effort. Instructors would have to be vetted somehow. Not on the basis of their skill or style or approach, but on the basis of their position as instructors. Without safeguards of some, even limited kind, the forum would be open to all and instructors would again have to stay mum for fear of a student misinterpreting his instructors words. As instructors, we understand that the student can not be told everything at once. We had to learn slowly, over the course of years. I am only a child on this path. That is why I advocate for just such a place. If a beginner student heard that his instructor thought he really struggled with his front kick, he may lose heart and give up forever. In reality, the instructor may realize that all white belts struggle with gross motor motion and that it is the struggle which helps to build the coordination they will develop over the coming months, and that the many repetitions needed for the student to improve will strengthen his muscles and refine his sense of timing and balance. The student has not yet reached this understanding.
In addition, this would have to be a place free of politics and bitterness. These issues may have their place, although I would argue against that, but it is certaintly not in a place designed to make instruction better. I would suggest strict moderation of the board to control the discourse, at least at first. I do not mean to stifle discussion, but negativity will not make us stronger. Ever. Discussion should not be about technical aspects of technique, there are technical boards for that. The topics should be focused and specific. Is it possible that this could include discussions on different types of motion, ie. locks or chokes in general, or even specific techniques, osoto-gari, negativa, dance of death, uppercut, kimura, tornado kick etc.? Perhaps, if it related to challenges faced when teachning those techniques and succesful strategies to overcome them. Not if it devolved into why my style is better than everyone elses. There are boards for that too.
I know this is a small request for a huge task. I know that there are a hundred ways to shoot this idea down. I also know that I have desired this type of thing for some time, and I don't believe I can be the only one. We have to think beyond our walls. Can the art and beauty of combat, at every level of study and interest, be elevated by our shared knowledge? Could we consider what it could mean if we helped instructors of every style in every place improve the skill of their students? Could the martial arts, by our powers combined, grow leaps and bounds in the next generations because instructors began to share information instead of horde it and truly asked their peers for advice? Instructors are not students. Of all the beautiful and strong individuals who come into contact in some way with what we do, how many of them teach? How many pass on the knowledge? They need a place of their own.
-Rob
I think it is important for instructors to be able to communicate across dogmatic lines about the experiences we all share as instructors. In part, I think a seperate forum is needed to protect the sanctity of the pupil-mentor relationship. Instructors need a place where they know they can refer to situations using specific examples, although not names, in order to communicate with each other. Please understand, I do not advocate a forum for negative commentary about others. I think the martial arts community would be strengthened by a place where instructors could meet, and be allowed to freely discuss issues which affect the growth of martial artists everywhere and the martial arts as a whole, safe in the knowledge that they could speak freely without fear of stifling a student who happens to stray onto his instructors words.
There are situations universal to the path we walk. Have you ever had a tough guy enter your dojo, studio, kwoon, ring, basement, college P.E. class, self defense seminar, demonstration, mass intro, temple, way place, mat, and try to convince you the technique you've taught to dozens of people, practiced for years, used spontaneously in the ring, on the street, in a bar, in the bathroom, on your friends, or your uke, doesn't work? When was the last time a student told you it was impossible for them to learn the next pattern, form, kata, poomse, freestyle combination, technique, lock, disarm, or submission, when you know hundreds of people have learned this technique for thousands of years? How many times have you seen students struggle at the same level with the same skill just before they all reach the same evolutionary leap in understanding and ability? These are not situations unique to any style or belief. This has repeated itself throughout time, as long as one person has tried to teach others the art of combat, in any form. Having a place where people who have accepted the responsibility of teaching can discuss these challenges and synergize to improve in their roles can only improve martial arts everywhere.
I think this can be done. It would require some effort. Instructors would have to be vetted somehow. Not on the basis of their skill or style or approach, but on the basis of their position as instructors. Without safeguards of some, even limited kind, the forum would be open to all and instructors would again have to stay mum for fear of a student misinterpreting his instructors words. As instructors, we understand that the student can not be told everything at once. We had to learn slowly, over the course of years. I am only a child on this path. That is why I advocate for just such a place. If a beginner student heard that his instructor thought he really struggled with his front kick, he may lose heart and give up forever. In reality, the instructor may realize that all white belts struggle with gross motor motion and that it is the struggle which helps to build the coordination they will develop over the coming months, and that the many repetitions needed for the student to improve will strengthen his muscles and refine his sense of timing and balance. The student has not yet reached this understanding.
In addition, this would have to be a place free of politics and bitterness. These issues may have their place, although I would argue against that, but it is certaintly not in a place designed to make instruction better. I would suggest strict moderation of the board to control the discourse, at least at first. I do not mean to stifle discussion, but negativity will not make us stronger. Ever. Discussion should not be about technical aspects of technique, there are technical boards for that. The topics should be focused and specific. Is it possible that this could include discussions on different types of motion, ie. locks or chokes in general, or even specific techniques, osoto-gari, negativa, dance of death, uppercut, kimura, tornado kick etc.? Perhaps, if it related to challenges faced when teachning those techniques and succesful strategies to overcome them. Not if it devolved into why my style is better than everyone elses. There are boards for that too.
I know this is a small request for a huge task. I know that there are a hundred ways to shoot this idea down. I also know that I have desired this type of thing for some time, and I don't believe I can be the only one. We have to think beyond our walls. Can the art and beauty of combat, at every level of study and interest, be elevated by our shared knowledge? Could we consider what it could mean if we helped instructors of every style in every place improve the skill of their students? Could the martial arts, by our powers combined, grow leaps and bounds in the next generations because instructors began to share information instead of horde it and truly asked their peers for advice? Instructors are not students. Of all the beautiful and strong individuals who come into contact in some way with what we do, how many of them teach? How many pass on the knowledge? They need a place of their own.
-Rob
