Repetitive MA's classes. What to do?

[daveA]

Hello,

I'm a long time student at a successful Uechi school in N.E. Lately it seems that classes cycle through periods of getting candidates ready for testing or periods that are dominated by aerobics. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good workout (something I do outside of class 2/3 times a week), but it seems that their is so much to learn in the MA's, that class time could be better spent.

In the past I've made suggestions about bringing in "guest" instructors and/or adding specialized and advanced classes.

I'd like some feedback on what I consider a problem, with some ideas on how to go about correcting it.

Thanks.

d

[Bill Glasheen]

I wish lots of instructors could read posts like this. Every instructor - at one time or another - could use a little bit of freshening of the material. Without that, things get stale and boring. And if it isn't fun any more, people quit. And if people quit, nobody but the monk-type personalities stick around long enough to learn anything.

Probably the best thing that could be done would be to get yourself, your instructor, and as many students as possible to the camp (only about 6 weeks away!!!). This is a great way to throw some new material at all of the folks that run the program. The more people you get at the camp, the better.

Change can happen from both the top down and bottom up. A good dojo starts to run itself after a while. Highly motivated students can and should be encouraged to take some initiative by training off the class schedule time, doing some outside study, bringing that outside material in with small groups, etc.

Start at camp and see what happens. Keep the communication lines with the instructor open. Take some intitiative yourself while you are at it, and see what you can contribute in the way of independent study and small intra-dojo workgroups.

Good luck and keep us posted.

- Bill

[hoshin]

hi dave;
first i would ask the question "long time student" ....just how long would that be.. 3 years..7 years ...20 years??? if your Ni dan or above i would suggest finding like minded students and working out after class. i have heard that old time okinawan classes were more like going to the gym. you show up, do what you need to do, then go home when your done. i find that way to many students expect to be spoon fed material, rather then taking the responsibilty for thier own learning. (not saying this is the case with you Dave ,,just making a point for people to ponder)

Bill...
sorry but i have to bring up an ugly point here. i have first hand knowledge of dojo's that forbid their students from going to summer camp. telling them "they" do things different there and you will get all kinds of bad habits if you go. it's a waste of your money.... they will tell their students flat out NO you cant go and dont expect to be a student here if you go training with other people.
this is from people that have more gold bars then willie wonka.
also there is a big differece between teaching out of a rut and a teacher that does the same thing day in and day out never changing a thing for his entire life because "thats they way i was taught and thats the way i will teach". my answer for these type teachers is if you have been there 4 or more years and feel you need more MOVE ON!!!!!!!!

Hoshin
~~~~~~~

[CANDANeh]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>"thats
they way i was taught and thats the way i will teach"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fear of change is the reason, we see them at work and "play" (maybe it`s because going off the beaten path means you could get eaten ). Most are excellent at what they do, they just need to be nudged out of the still waters back into the current.
The best way I found is let them think it is their descision to make or adopt small modifications.

[Tony-San]

Get some friends and train in your garage on Saturdays. Do whatever you want!