Wednesday, January 1, 2014

What Are you Bringing Into the Dojang? - - Chief Instructor's Blog January 2014


While our Club follows minimal etiquette or protocols, the one that I think is the most important is bowing.  We bow on the following occasions:

  • Upon entering and leaving the dojang, (or training area, such as the mat)
  • Start and finish of classes or Testing Session
  • When working with a partner.
  • Formal sparring

I see the act of bowing important for many reasons, but I want to focus on when entering the dojang.   One major reason we bow before entering the dojang is so we can leave the outside world and events outside and prepare ourselves mentally to focus on what happens inside the dojang: practicing and studying a martial art. 

When is the last time you spent a moment and let your day go before you entered the dojang?

When is the last time you bowed entering the dojang and said I am happy to be here and ready to learn?

The attitude and energy you bring into the dojang will determine how well you enjoy the class that night, how much you may learn that night, the type of experience you will have and the type of experience your fellow students will have as they interact with you.

If you are distracted and not focused on learning, how much and how well do you think you will learn?

If you are distracted, how well do you think you will practice?

If you had a bad day and are still thinking about that or spending the class time thinking about the rest of your night or tomorrow, do you think your partner will enjoy working with you?  Do you think your partner that evening will get the most of his/her experience that night?

Especially considering what we practice can do damage, should you be practicing if you are not focused?  If you have other motives of being there – waiting for traffic to clear or just wanting to escape work for an hour and we are doing a drill that is intense or sparring, should you participate?

As instructors, how good do you feel about your teaching session if you are tired or distracted?  How much do you think your students will get out of your session?

We owe it to each other, our fellow students and instructors, to show up and be present when we are participating in class sessions and bring a positive attitude and energy ready and willing to learn and practice.  One student or one instructor that is not present, distracted, or really wanting to study/learn that night can change the experience for everyone for that night from positive to not positive.

So, when you bow before entering into the dojang, spend a moment and let your day go, be happy to be entering the dojang and be ready to learn (and/or teach) and practice with an open mind.

Regards,
Kelly

“As you think, so shall you become.” ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do

 

 

No comments: