Caveat emptor (buyer beware)

In trying to stay up to date on my teaching and my art, I subscribe to numerous blogs, websites and Twitter accounts. I read up on news articles and training articles. I recently came across a video of what was reported to be a black belt test in NYC. The representation was so bad, there was debate on whether the video was meant as a joke or was serious. Now it is not for me to question anyone else's training or skill. I did however want to note that if you are signing up for any kind of class, whether it is martial arts or pottery you should gather information before making a decision.  Research your instructors and verify their credentials. Visit more then one school. Ask everyone you know for recommendations. You may save a few bucks initially,  but end up in a school  totally inappropriate for what you want. Know the differences between the different martial arts. Is the school geared toward the art or competition?  Is it ground and pound or all forms?  Who teaches the classes?  Meet them before you start. Watch a class or two. Take an intro lesson. It is your money and your body, make sure you are getting everything you want from your classes.

Back seat driving at TKD?

  In the world of martial arts, we are very lucky for many reasons. We enjoy a great job and it is a unique profession that people cannot just walk in and do. We have the joy of working with children and at the same time, usually do not have to worry about over bearing parents who must live their life through their children. Sports like baseball, football, basketball and even gymnastics suffer hugely from the "expert" parents who know so much... However, they can never put forth the time or effort to actually coach, yet have no problem expounding their expertise to everyone within earshot.  Sometimes, individuals will assume the role of coach with the sole intent of "pushing" their child or ensuring their child will be a starting member of the team.  In martial arts, it takes years of practice before you are allowed anywhere near a beginner. That kind of dedication hopefully weeds out those types.
  If it is all so wonderful why do I bring it up? I do so because while this is the rule, there are always exceptions. If your child had a broken arm, and you were a CPA would you explain to the doctor how to reset the arm? If you had this ability why visit the doctor in the first place? The same goes for martial arts. I am a teacher and still a student.  I love suggestions. I love questions. I live to find new ways to make my students better martial artists, but I am the one who has devoted years of training and practice to do this. Our school has open classes and encourage families to come and watch we do not encourage you to come and coach. Our openness and welcoming nature is not a weakness. It is a strength. It is our confidence in our methods and experience that allow us to invite you to watch. Trust in our instruction.  It is why you came to us in the first place. Help us guide your loved ones to their individual martial arts goals.

Working hard or hardly working.

  Well I have probably brought this up before but becoming a black belt is not easy. Actually getting any belt in martial arts takes time and effort. There are always some people who will work harder then others. Sometimes it may be a factor of age, maturity, injury or schedule conflicts. Nobody can understand how life may interfere with the desire to train more than myself. What I cannot understand is people who choose to follow this path but do not devote a enough amount of time to it.  Sure, everyone has an off-day or may have difficulty with a specific area. People need help all the time. None of this is an issue overall to any instructor, provided you are putting in effort the rest of the time. What can try on an instructors patience is the students who don't put in the minimum until two to three weeks before a test, then want extra help to make sure they meet the requirements and can move on in the process. The study of martial arts is an ongoing process with each step building on the previous steps. When at a lower belt level it may be possible to cram for the test and get away with it. This however will likely come back to haunt you, especially when striving for that black belt.  No matter how many times an instructor may warn students of this impending trouble some people just don't want to believe it will happen to them.

Physical and Mental Health

  Everyday I talk about how great it is to teach and train. I am lucky to do something I enjoy. Not everyone has that luxury. So everyday I see adults coming in after a bad day at home or at work. I know when this was me all I hoped for was a great workout so I could sweat and forget about everything else. As I great all the students coming in and out everyday I hope we give them some kind of escape. I know they definitely get a physical workout but I like to provide a fun place to go where people can escape from the rest of their life if only for an hour. Medical science has taught us that stress is as dangerous to us as anything else. Hopefully we are providing a cure for that.
  Everything we do is not considered a standard social activity by everyone but we try to get everyone involved. A few weeks ago we had a golf outing, this weekend we have a trip to the Great Escape and the black belts have a three hour test coming up in a few weeks. Not all these things match everyone's idea of a fun afternoon. I will have done all three and unless something out of the ordinary happens I will have a great time at all three events. This is not because of what I am doing but because of the people I am with. If you are training make sure you are getting everything you can out of your school. Make sure you not only get physically stronger but mentally stronger and get rid of your stress. Make a new friend, have some fun.

Ups and Downs.

  Like any job teaching, has its ups and downs and despite all the fun, it is possible to have a bad day. There are some things that can become routine and some things you never get tired of. I know that I look at some things different then other instructors and that is okay as long as everyone is learning what they should and having fun.Today I had one of the moments I love. It was very short and nobody probably even noticed except me and the student involved.
  The background to this moment is last week a student pushed them-self beyond their physical limit even after I said something. No injury occurred but there was a risk. The student was in a zone and was really pushing themselves. I didn't realize how much effort until now. Today the student came to me and explained how due to an issue they have never been able to keep up with the numerous jocks in their family and yet despite these limitations, has done more at TKD then they ever believed possible. The student then asked for me to work out a way to slow the student down as needed for their own good. WOW! What a compliment to me, the other instructors and TKD itself. I feel great the student is getting something out of our classes they were never able to get before. I love to see that kind of fire burning inside a student. It makes every other day very worth while.

The new week begins.

  Well the new week has started where last week left off. Paddle targets and alley drills with paddle targets. A lot of sweat and then some forms practice. Finally finishing with another workout. Adult class was really on the ball and red stripes were given out to pretty much everyone. Very impressive. The kids classes are doing really well. Hopefully everyone who needs help will come in for the extra help that is being offered.
  Saturday was our Black Belt power classes and the class did not disappoint neither did the Black Belts. Hard work was met by perseverance and a great morning workout was had by everyone. The pace is really starting to pick up. There is less then a month to go and we will be having three days of testing. All the color belts and black belts will be testing. We will be having a demonstration at the test and also for the Town of North Greenbush at there Youth Day event on September 7th. Hopefully everyone will participate in the 5k that morning it will be fun.

End of the week, beginning of black belt.

The end of another TKD week approaches. Everyone really put in a good effort. Tonight was the Phase 1 test for all our Bodans and Black Belts moving up to the next level. A great job was done by all. There were some small mistakes made but nothing worrisome. Every time a new class of black belts steps forward I remember the flood of emotions that goes along with all the hard work. Wondering if each move is the right one and the concentration on foot and hand position. You can see the worry in their faces and the thrill and excitement as each task is completed successfully. I hope they all take the time to savor the the experience. So few people who start this adventure make it to black belt and even fewer make it to the advanced levels. This is one of those moments in life that should be held on to forever. Something to be proud of and something that can never be taken away. This is one of the times in a persons life they can look back on no matter what else is going on and feel good about. It supplies confidence, accomplishment and camaraderie.
If there is a TKD soapbox, I am always on it. But I figure if you are reading this, you must be on it as well.