Learning
a martial art takes time and effort; it is a lifetime pursuit and the skills
and concepts are not learned in a six week training session. While at an advanced level, much of the
training is individualistic and requires self-reflection and self-study, for
lower ranked students the instructor-student relationship is critical in the
training.
For a
student to progress in the art form, it is important that the instructor is
knowledgeable in the art form, passionate in teaching the art form, an able
instructor, and possess a continuous learning mindset: open to continually
learning about themselves as a practitioner of the art form as well as an
instructor. And for a student to
progress in the art form, a student must be motivated, excited to learn the art
form, and willing to be open to the teachings.
The
relationship between the instructor and student is also critical for both
parties to be successful in their roles.
For me, the two most important factors that make a successful
instructor-student relationship and enhance both the teaching and the learning
for both are trust and a student meeting an instructor halfway.
Let’s
start with trust.
As
stated many times in class and other blogs, Han Moo Kwan is an art form to be
used strictly for self-defense and can cause significant damage and harm. So, as instructors, we build a relationship
of trust with a student since we must learn to trust students to use the skill
and information learned only as it was intended. If an instructor does not trust a student,
they will either not instruct them anymore or only provide limited information
which will limit the student's progression in the art form.
On
the flip side, the student must trust the instructor. The student must trust the instructor will
not harm them directly or indirectly in class, the student must trust the
instructor is sharing information as needed or when they think a student is
ready for it, and most importantly for me, the student must trust that the
instructor is knowledgeable in what they are instructing and even if the
student does not understand the information today, eventually they will. If a student doubts an instructor’s
information as accurate or believes it is incorrect, then a student will not
benefit from the information and it will limit their progress. If an instructor senses or knows a student
does not trust the information they are being provided, eventually the
instructor may stop providing information to a student.
This
leads to the concept of students meeting their instructor half way.
Learning
a martial art is a lifetime of study and practice. Instructors have a wealth of information to
share and as stated above, they should be continually perfecting their
instruction techniques. Students should
show interest in what is being taught and be attentive at all times. Students should take the information and
practice on their own coming back to the instructor asking for more details and
information to refine their skills. Students
should have an inquisitive attitude toward the art form and seek to understand
and learn as much as possible from their instructors with the understanding
that becoming proficient in the art form is an evolution and, as they grow,
more details of the art form will be taught and uncovered. Those students who do not practice on their
own and those students who want to be spoon fed the information will limit
their progress. This is due in part
because an instructor has limited time and can never cover every minute detail
or have time to continually cover the same information over and over again. In cases such as these, an instructor may
eventually choose to spend more energy with other students who are making an
effort and demonstrating they value the instructor’s time and information.
I
encourage instructors and students alike to evaluate their relationships with
each other and determine where there can be improvements to get the most out of
our time in and out of the dojang.
Regards,
Kelly
“The test of a good teacher is not how many
questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many
questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer.” ~ Unknown
References
- Kodo Ancient Ways by
Kensho Furuya
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