You sought the instructor. The instructor did not seek you.
It is important to remember this.
The student is not a client or a customer.
They are an 'apprentice' and the teacher is the 'master'.
Showing posts with label etiquette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label etiquette. Show all posts
Friday
Democracy
People are occasionally reluctant to follow instructions. They get smart with the instructor or seek to debate the issue.
Martial arts classes are not democratic.
Martial arts classes are not democratic.
Wednesday
Authority in martial arts
The student must decide to what extent you are prepared to accept the instructor's authority.
If you wish to remain in the class, then you must accept it unconditionally.
If you are unwilling to acknowledge the worth of the instructor, then you should leave.
If you wish to remain in the class, then you must accept it unconditionally.
If you are unwilling to acknowledge the worth of the instructor, then you should leave.
Friday
Second-guessing
Second-guessing the instructor is foolish.
Inevitably you are lacking the entire picture.
You are making a judgement from an incomplete perspective.
Inevitably you are lacking the entire picture.
You are making a judgement from an incomplete perspective.
Saturday
Just do it
When instructed to do something, just do it.
If the directions are unclear, ask for confirmation. But refrain from argument, discussion or debate.
Just act.
If the directions are unclear, ask for confirmation. But refrain from argument, discussion or debate.
Just act.
Personal trainer?
Your instructor is not a personal trainer. They are not in 'the service industry'.
They are not obligated to please you or give you what you ask for.
Tai chi cannot be taught piecemeal. You cannot pick and choose how and what to study.
They are not obligated to please you or give you what you ask for.
Tai chi cannot be taught piecemeal. You cannot pick and choose how and what to study.
Wednesday
Sifu
The instructor does not exist to please the student.
Their role is to teach the system, and to re-shape the student into somebody capable of performing the art.
The student is incapable of seeing where this journey will lead or what steps are relevant and necessary.
Their role is to teach the system, and to re-shape the student into somebody capable of performing the art.
The student is incapable of seeing where this journey will lead or what steps are relevant and necessary.
Monday
Etiquette
Most schools have some sort of class etiquette. This may seem a bit stuffy or formal.
Yet, rules are necessary in a class.
It is easy to get carried away. It is easy to be injured or cause injury.
By remaining composed, loose and friendly - safety can be encouraged.
Play, rather than fight.
Aggression has no place in our school.
Yet, rules are necessary in a class.
It is easy to get carried away. It is easy to be injured or cause injury.
By remaining composed, loose and friendly - safety can be encouraged.
Play, rather than fight.
Aggression has no place in our school.
Friday
How does your partner/wife/husband address the instructor?
This is the protocol: non-class members/strangers should call my husband Mr Waller or Sifu Waller (unless they're personal friends).
A partner/spouse/family member of a student should call our instructor "Sifu" - just as a student would - because of the partner/spouse/family member being a class member.
In Chinese culture this is considered friendly because it acknowledges their indirect association with the school.
A partner/spouse/family member of a student should call our instructor "Sifu" - just as a student would - because of the partner/spouse/family member being a class member.
In Chinese culture this is considered friendly because it acknowledges their indirect association with the school.
Wednesday
How would you introduce your instructor to a friend?
You would refer to your instructor as Sifu Waller or Mr Waller.
Monday
Timeless
It is important to remember that a martial arts class is not modern in nature.
When you enter the training hall, you must leave modern culture at the door.
You are partaking in a tradition that has continued for centuries.
When you enter the training hall, you must leave modern culture at the door.
You are partaking in a tradition that has continued for centuries.
Wednesday
Etiquette
(i) If they are your instructor
If the person is currently teaching you, then you call them Sifu (No Surname).
(i) If they are not your instructor
In Chinese martial arts you call the instructor Mr Surname or Sifu Surname if they are not your teacher.
To refuse to call an instructor Mr Surname or Sifu Surname is considered to be very arrogant and disrespectful.
If the person is currently teaching you, then you call them Sifu (No Surname).
(i) If they are not your instructor
In Chinese martial arts you call the instructor Mr Surname or Sifu Surname if they are not your teacher.
To refuse to call an instructor Mr Surname or Sifu Surname is considered to be very arrogant and disrespectful.
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