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Written by Robert Lile
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Thursday, 28 December 2006 |
Know Thy Teacher
Jeff Goff, 1st Dan (Missouri Instructor)(2004)
If you are a parent considering martial arts training for your child, or an adult considering the same, it is an imperative that you invest the time and energy to fully investigate a potential instructor, his/her dojo, associations or affiliations. This is a particularly important process for the parent seeking to enroll their child into a martial arts programs. Children are especially vulnerable to misguided teaching, because they automatically assume the instructor is correct in all things pertaining to the art, and they readily emulate their example. The instructor, for better or for worse, will become a tremendous influence in the young student's life. The parent needs to be certain that this person is aware of their position as a role model, and accepts the responsibility that goes along with it.
Adults seeking to train in martial arts should also seek out an instructor/training program that is in full alignment with their character and personal goals. Otherwise, they will become quickly disenchanted and break off their training, denying themselves of an excellent resource for personal development. Martial arts training can be a fantastic way to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit, while learning practical self defense in an increasingly dangerous world. The benefits can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. However, it is critical that they know the instructor's personal philosophies, his/her goals and expectations. If the school is affiliated with a larger association, what are the association's philosophies? A prospective student would not be out of line to ask for a copy of the association's bylaws, or to spend time talking to current and former students. Former students can be a very valuable resource, and most will be very cooperative in discussing their training. If they are hesitant, then that alone would be cause for concerm. Once the student has gathered all the information they can, then an enlightened decision can be made on where to invest their time, energy, and money.
So then, what constitutes a good instructor? Obviously, they must have extensive experience and knowledge of their particular style or styles, and a demonstrated ability to impart that knowledge to others. But even more important is their character and personal philosophy. He/she must be a mature person of sound character, possessing the ability to identify and reinforce positive attributes in each student. Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada 9th Dan and Director of the Shukokai Gishinkan, and Chief Instructor for the Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union, is quoted as saying "Being a karate instructor, one has to have one's own philosophy. This is how I want to be and this is my goal." Even in his mid 60's, Sensei Yamada trains among his students, providing not just instruction in technique, but helping them to grow into people of virtue. Sensei Yamada is an amazing man, one of the highest ranking members of the Japanese Karate-do Federation, yet humble, honest, and forthright. He is an exceptional example for his students, and is uniquely qualified to hold the title of Chief Instructor for the Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union (SSU). His personality resonates throughout the SSU worldwide, and his influence can be seen in Western Europe, the UK, and in the recently organized SSU-United States of America.
So let's assume that the student candidate has done their homework, and the potential instructor has passed muster, but his/her dojo is a member of a larger association. How does this affiliation impact the dojo? What benefits are there for the individual student? Since I am most familiar with the SSU-USA and have found it to be extremely beneficial at the club and individual level, I will share a bit about its structure, to be used as a model for comparison.
To begin, the SSU-USA is one component in the worldwide Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union (SSU), headquartered in Amagasaki, Japan. As mentioned earlier, the entire association is under the guidance of Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada, 9th Dan. Sensei Yamada trained directly under the late Soke Chojiro Tani, who created the variant of Shito-ryu Karate known as "Shukokai". After Soke Tani's passing in 1998, Sensei Yamada was elected as the chairman of the newly formed SSU. Embracing the variety of a worldwide student base, and recognizing the benefit of self-government, he organized the association in ture union style, allowing each country to establish individual bylaws and philosophies. It is the reponsibility of the chief instructor in each country to maintain the high quality of instruction that he has set forth. In addition, Sensei Yamada has established standards for training and advancement, which are published in the grading syllabus used by all member dojos. This eliminates ambiguity and inconsistency in grading requirements, so every student knows what skill must be mastered for advancement.
The SSU-USA was formed in 2002 under the direction of Mr. Eric Tomlinson, 6th Dan and Chief Instructor for the USA. Sensei Tomlinson has been training in Shukokai since 1972, and in addition to training with Sensei Yamada, he has trained with many other extremely talented Shukokai sensei, such as the late Shigeru Kimura, Eddie Daniels, Roy Stanhope, and Terry Pottage. Sensei Kimura had a profound influence on his karate, especially in the area of body mechanics and generating explosive impact. It is Sensei Tomlinson's goal to combine the Shukokai techniques he acquired from Sensei Kimura with the traditional pholosophy of Sensei Yamada, to produce an exceptional quality of karate-do. In addition, Sensei Tomlinson strives to maintain a high standard of integrity, not just for himself but for every instructor in the SSU-USA. Many instructors eventually rise from the student ranks, but it is not unusual for Shito-ryu dojos from other branches of the style to apply for membership in the association. In these instances, Sensei Tomlinson personally interviews the chief instructor of the prospective dojo, both by telephone and face-to-face, to ensure that they are of good character, have a solid Shito-ryu background, and have personal philosophies that are in alignment with both his and Sensei Yamada's. In this way, he takes personal responsibility for the quality of instruction in the SSU-USA. The association is governed by its own bylaws, which were drafted by the Technical Committee in cooperation with Sensei Tomlinson. The SSU-USA also maintains a very informative website, with information about Sensei Yamada and Sensei Tomlinson's vast experience and philosophies. There are also links to SSU organizations around the world, and it doesn't take much effort to appreciate the remarkable continuity that Sensei Yamada has achieved within the association. There is ample information for the prospective student to learn about and understand what the SSU-USA is all about.
To put it in a nutshell, the SSU-USA benefits its students in many ways:
Honest and strong leadership
Philosophies that uphold the tradition of 'budo'
Direct association with Japan and top Japanese instructors
Excellent Shukokai pedigree
Powerful and practical techniques
Quality instruction
Extensive cooperation between member countries around the world
Consistent training standards
Readily accessible information about instructor philosophies, organizational structure, club location, etc
These very tangible benefits, combined with instructors dedicated to the organizational mission, assure the student will grow in both ability and character. In summary, training in martial arts, whether Karate, Kung-fu, Tai Chi or other traditional form, can be a tremendous tool for developing and maintaining a healthy body, a keen mind, and a determined spirit. But what should always be a positive experience can quickly become destructive if the passing of knowledge is entrusted to immature, self-serving, or domineering instructors. Do not allow your martial arts experience, or that of your children, to lead down this path. Take the time to find a great instructors, supported by a fantastic association, and you will enjoy a healthy, fun and enriching pass time for many years to come.
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