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The Plight of the Martial Arts Instructor
- By Forrest Blair
- Published 01/4/2008
- Philosophy
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Forrest Blair
Master Forrest G. Blair, 8th Dan, Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan USA has over 44 years of experience in the martial arts. With a background in numerous styles of martial arts as well as professional boxing and wresting instruction, Master Blair is devoted to quality instruction. Visit him on the web at http://www.ultimatemdk.com or on his own blog at http://www.fgblair.com!
View all articles by Forrest Blair
To the casual observer, martial arts classes resemble a common activity like baseball practice or ballet lessons. The student does the prescribed drills and then goes on to the next activity or event. Indeed many modern schools of thought appeal to this instant gratification and are quick to keep the student from getting bored, but is this martial arts?
Martial arts is a mind, body and spirit "character developing up-lifter" when taught correctly. This is written so that you the student, parent, or guardian will be able to share some insight from the master instructor's files. It is my hope that this will deepen your appreciation and understanding of the martial arts.
Imagine three bags full of seeds. One for the body. One for the mind. One for the spirit, character, and self-esteem. The student is the ground. Seeds come in many forms. Some grow up over night and some take month, while others bloom but once a year. The seeds of classical martial arts are time tested, true, and
of a knowledge that produces success.
Everyday the master instructor surveys the field (training hall). He waters the field with a smile or kind word, prunes a plant (student) with a technique correction, pull a week (distraction or interruptino) with a glare, etc. Then he waits and hopes in eager anticipation, repeating the process patiently again and again. An old Chinese proverb says, "You cannot make a plant grow by pulling at the roots!" Many observers see a karate class like only a sports team. The master instructor looks at the individual pots and the progress of the seeds. First comes the sprout, then the blade, then the pod, followed by the flower and then the fruit. Given time the student can eat the fruit, save the seeds, and plant the next crop - a process that repeats over and over in every area of life. The student has learned success, built upon a firm foundation that has bene carefully cultivated through the balanced working of the inter-action of th emind, the body, and the spirit.
Humility Be Thy Goal,
Master Forrest G. Blair
Martial arts is a mind, body and spirit "character developing up-lifter" when taught correctly. This is written so that you the student, parent, or guardian will be able to share some insight from the master instructor's files. It is my hope that this will deepen your appreciation and understanding of the martial arts.
Imagine three bags full of seeds. One for the body. One for the mind. One for the spirit, character, and self-esteem. The student is the ground. Seeds come in many forms. Some grow up over night and some take month, while others bloom but once a year. The seeds of classical martial arts are time tested, true, and
Everyday the master instructor surveys the field (training hall). He waters the field with a smile or kind word, prunes a plant (student) with a technique correction, pull a week (distraction or interruptino) with a glare, etc. Then he waits and hopes in eager anticipation, repeating the process patiently again and again. An old Chinese proverb says, "You cannot make a plant grow by pulling at the roots!" Many observers see a karate class like only a sports team. The master instructor looks at the individual pots and the progress of the seeds. First comes the sprout, then the blade, then the pod, followed by the flower and then the fruit. Given time the student can eat the fruit, save the seeds, and plant the next crop - a process that repeats over and over in every area of life. The student has learned success, built upon a firm foundation that has bene carefully cultivated through the balanced working of the inter-action of th emind, the body, and the spirit.
Humility Be Thy Goal,
Master Forrest G. Blair
Spread The Word
1 Response to "The Plight of the Martial Arts Instructor"
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said this on 05 Jan 2008 2:34:24 AM EDT
My father has one of those people that just never seems to get it...i started when i was 10yrs old and im 28 now and he still just thinks that is it kicking and yelling....Martials arts may seem to start as a hobby, weight loss thing or just something i wanted to try but the reality is it developes into a way of life.
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