As martial arts instructors is there an obligation to be a good "Roll Model" to ones students ? Also as practicioners, is there a "Mutual Respect" that should be in exsistence between us that is earned and not demanded ?
Understanding that we are all "just human" and subjective to vises and flaws, how we talk, act and carry on does reflect the kind of people we are.
There are many kinds of people that study martal arts for different reasons. As mentioned in another thread, "not all are
looking to work towards self improvement.
However, most realize that many advanced ranks and/or instructors have practiced a "disipline" for many years that relates to "respect" for eachother.
Therefore, is there an obligation to reflect one's being of sound mind, body and spirit ?
How we act in and out of the dojo, habits we maintain, arrogance in ones verbal manor, be it of loud and abnoxious behavior, heavy alchoholic and/or drug abuse, etc. are patterns of behavior "not" to be one of respect.
Or is the obligation only to maintain a position of respectable charactor only in the dojo and/or martial arts circle ?
Your thoughts ?
No ! There is no direction to any individuals so let us not go there ?
Respectfully,
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Gary S.
Roll Models & Mutual Respect
Moderator: Available
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GSantaniello
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2001 6:01 am
- Location: Randolph, Ma. U.S.A.
Roll Models & Mutual Respect
I think its very important. Imagine training people over many years who become quite skilled and dextrous and they have learnt arrogance, lawlesness and maybe even evil from arrogant lawless teachers?
It would bring shame of the art and no doubt some innocent people could be hurt or maybe even killed.
God forbid if highly skilled martial artists began a rampage of lawlessness.
Funakoshi expressed this concern long ago and I think most people would agree with it.
It would bring shame of the art and no doubt some innocent people could be hurt or maybe even killed.
God forbid if highly skilled martial artists began a rampage of lawlessness.
Funakoshi expressed this concern long ago and I think most people would agree with it.
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
Roll Models & Mutual Respect
Gary
My journey into the way of an instructor was thrust upon me out of necessity. Those in the greater New England area have quite a choice for instructors. In my case, I was left alone with a few years of Uechi ryu instruction (after a few years of other martial arts experience). My only path to continued practice of Uechi ryu was through teaching.
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As a younger lad, I lived a rather lively existence. I wasn't too terribly bad, but I had my fun. Part way through my martial arts experience, I happened to have the opportunity to train with a former Green Beret turned Seventh Day Adventist. I know there must have been times during those 7 AM Sunday workouts (uugghhh!!) where he saw (and perhaps smelled) the hard partying the night before. He also knew I was from the school of the seafood (seefood) diet - when I see food, I eat it. I was one of those lucky people that could eat and do almost anything with little consequence. Anyhow this instructor pointed out that I had more influence on the habits of my students than I realized. Considering that I imported a fresh group of 18-year-olds right out of mom's house and into my dojo, the point was well taken. I was often embarrassed at how some (not all, thankfully) would hang onto my every word. Heck, I was trying to figure it all out myself.
Over time hard training made it easier and easier to remove things from my life that didn't contribute to the bottom line. In their place, I adopted many good habits. And guess what? Over time I noted a rather remarkable change in the attitudes and habits of students under me. Was there causality here, or was this merely a trend that we all rode? I'll never know for sure, but the idea of influence is quite compelling.
There are a few basic things that an instructor needs to remember:
1) First and foremost, never assume a role as guru in the class. Instructors don't deserve it. Martial arts instruction is a service industry, and no more.
2) Treat others as you would be treated.
3) Remember that people are watching.
4) Remember that nothing is possible if the dojo activity runs amuck with the law.
5) Remember that the best way to change behavior in your students is to live it yourself.
6) As with work in any environment, it's often a good idea to separate work life from personal life to the extent that it's possible.
- Bill
My journey into the way of an instructor was thrust upon me out of necessity. Those in the greater New England area have quite a choice for instructors. In my case, I was left alone with a few years of Uechi ryu instruction (after a few years of other martial arts experience). My only path to continued practice of Uechi ryu was through teaching.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
What I learned, Gary, is that the question is moot. Whether or not we want to be a role model, we effectively are. Our only choice is what to do about that.As martial arts instructors is there an obligation to be a good "Roll Model" to ones students ?
As a younger lad, I lived a rather lively existence. I wasn't too terribly bad, but I had my fun. Part way through my martial arts experience, I happened to have the opportunity to train with a former Green Beret turned Seventh Day Adventist. I know there must have been times during those 7 AM Sunday workouts (uugghhh!!) where he saw (and perhaps smelled) the hard partying the night before. He also knew I was from the school of the seafood (seefood) diet - when I see food, I eat it. I was one of those lucky people that could eat and do almost anything with little consequence. Anyhow this instructor pointed out that I had more influence on the habits of my students than I realized. Considering that I imported a fresh group of 18-year-olds right out of mom's house and into my dojo, the point was well taken. I was often embarrassed at how some (not all, thankfully) would hang onto my every word. Heck, I was trying to figure it all out myself.
Over time hard training made it easier and easier to remove things from my life that didn't contribute to the bottom line. In their place, I adopted many good habits. And guess what? Over time I noted a rather remarkable change in the attitudes and habits of students under me. Was there causality here, or was this merely a trend that we all rode? I'll never know for sure, but the idea of influence is quite compelling.
There are a few basic things that an instructor needs to remember:
1) First and foremost, never assume a role as guru in the class. Instructors don't deserve it. Martial arts instruction is a service industry, and no more.
2) Treat others as you would be treated.
3) Remember that people are watching.
4) Remember that nothing is possible if the dojo activity runs amuck with the law.
5) Remember that the best way to change behavior in your students is to live it yourself.
6) As with work in any environment, it's often a good idea to separate work life from personal life to the extent that it's possible.
- Bill
