So we've all seen the 1980's movie "The Karate Kid" right, with Danial LaRusso, Kesuke Miyagi and John Kreese. But have you really thought about the contrast between Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Kreese? And how many have met a Miyagi or a Kreese figure in their martial arts studies... or even in life? I think I would be comfortable enough to say that everyone has.
Last year, I began studying a different style at a new Dojo. I really enjoy studying martial arts, and it takes a lot for me to loose a desire to study. I really enjoy my new Sensei and her teaching method. However, she has an assistant instructor who I would describe as a John Kreese. He is extremely cocky and arrogant. Though he is very good with his technique, kata and sparing. In my opinion, this guy lacks the fundamental understanding of what karate is.
Karate can be seen as a study of war and fighting, yes. But as many of the masters have explained, Karate is to defend if necessary.
The other day, this assistant instructor explained while the Sensei was out of the room that if he is acting like a jerk(he used more colorful words), not to take it personal, but that it was his job to do so. That boiled my blood... How can anyone say, as a teacher, that their job is to be a jerk... Maybe if you are teaching the art of being a jerk, then I can see this being legitimate. However, the way I see it, being a jerk also makes for being a incompetent teacher. When you are full of yourself, you leave no room for anyone else. How can you care about your students and their success if you simply focus on how "you're boss", born to be the next Bruce Lee.
I wanted to call him out on it. I had never had a Martial Arts teacher who was a jerk like this, I believe it is unnecessary. If I wanted to be jerked around, I would have joined the military. I joined the Dojo because I wanted to learn a new style, and tradition.
He has since been a jerk, however, I have not let that destroy my desire to learn, because he is only the assistant instructor, and I am learning from the instructor.
This assistant instructor is also an instructor at another Dojo. And he still has students. In my mind I don't fully grasp what would make want to continue to study under someone who is so narcissistic.
I guess that for some, to learn from a John Kreese is the experience they are looking for.I personally enjoy the masters like Kesuke Miyagi.
So what makes a good Sensei or a bad Sensei? It may just boil down to individual preference. Some people need the push from a jerk to get them going, others can be successful all on their own.
What kind of instructor do you prefer?
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The LDSMAA. A new martial arts club.
For a long time I've wanted to connect with other martial artists who were also members of my Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I knew a couple of members from my Ward and Stake who attended the same Dojo I did. One of the guys I trained with was baptized while I was on my mission. But, something I've noticed with the members I've met or known who do martial arts, is that most of them are embarrassed or shy to talk about their church membership.
So over time I developed a new club for members of the Church to interact and socialize with other members who are in to martial arts. The I idea was to encourage members to continue to set an example of the church through their martial arts training.
My hope is that through this new group (the LDSMAA), we will be able to share the gospel in a new way, and also share things in our martial arts training that inspire us to be better members of the Church. For me my membership in the church and study of the martial arts have blended together.
Not to say that they are the same thing, but I see how so many things in the martial arts relate to gospel teachings and vice versa.
We started in October of 2014 and as of now have 6 members in the LDSMAA. They live in various places all over the world. We know that there are more Latter-Day Saints who love martial arts, and we hope to reach out to them.
We also hope to reach out to any Non-LDS who are looking for a good group of martial artists to relate to and socialize with.
The following is an article I wrote for the "LDSMAA annual report 2014" about some other reasons or the LDSMAA. please enjoy!
What is the Latter-Day Saint Martial Arts Association?If you would like to read the full LDSMAA Annual Report 2014, it is posted below.
The Latter-Day Saint Martial Arts Association was created by Adam Farley with the idea of connecting Latter-day Saints who are martial arts enthusiasts.
“I spoke with a lady not to long ago,” Farley says “she told me she was unsure as to how she should feel with her martial arts training. 'Am I rebelling against my religion by studying martial arts? I mean, Latter-day Saints stand for peace...' she said to me.”
“The first thing that made her feel alright about it was when she saw the movie 'Meet the Mormons'. Carolina Muñoz Marin made this lady feel relieved about her decision to continue her study of the martial arts.”
Leading into one of the other goals of the LDSMAA, which is to help people understand that a study of the martial arts does not make you a violent, war seeking person. But that there are many other applications of studying the martial arts.
“Yes, martial arts is traditionally about fighting and about war. In fact, the term martial arts, is to mean the art of Mars, who in ancient Roman mythology is know as the god of war” says Farley. “But also often over looked is the fact that Mars was seen as the guardian of agriculture.”
“It is forgotten that Mars was seen as a protector and a defender of the things that sustains life and develops people in to strong, healthy and beautiful beings. So he is called the god of war... he was also a symbol of success and protection.”
“Who else does this sound like? Maybe Teancum? Helaman? Captain Moroni? King David? the two-thousand stripling warriors? these individuals all had to study what we now call martial arts. Did this make them bad people? No, they were defenders of the peace”.
“While we do not typically follow Roman mythology in this day and age, the common term used for the art of warriors is martial arts. Some of the greatest and most spiritual lessons have been learned by the study of the war chapters in the Book of Mormon.”
The original martial art is some what impractical in the age of modern weaponry and warfare. And most so called “martial arts” don't even derive from the warrior arts of Mars at all! Many of the most popular derive of Asian origin which had no connection with roman other than for trade.
“In fact, the roman martial arts are out numbered by arts of other origins.” says Adam Farley.
For some, the martial arts of today have evolved in to various forms of career, education, personal development and leisure. “Some study for sport, others for personal development, some as a pastime or a hobby. Whatever the reason, people enjoy the martial arts.”
“One thing that I have noticed during my study of martial arts is that typically those who you study with become in a scene like family. You learn to trust these people on a different level than you would a colleague at work. I think this has a lot to do with you trusting the other person enough to let them manipulate your body in a way that they could significantly hurt you, and they not following through. Subconsciously I believe that triggers a family-like connection.”
“We, the LDSMAA are here for those who want to connect and enjoy comradery with other martial artists who have the same values.”
These values enrich living and keeping the commandments of God. The standards include the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Ten Commandments, but most of all, loving God and loving your neighbor.
If you would like to learn more about the LDSMAA or would like to join, go to http://www.LDSMAA.com and check us out on facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/LDSMAA
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