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Mar. 25th, 2008 | 04:22 pm
location: Verk
mood: contemplative contemplative
music: Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You

"A karate class is not a stage upon which the superior talent emerges and is dramatized.  The karate class is a community of mutual responsibility where the weakest are strengthened, not where the strongest are glorified.  The sensei creates within the class the commitment to cooperation and responsibility, and in this atmosphere is the greatest learning made possible."

 - Sadaharu Kurobane
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Comments {7}

Aikido Al

(no subject)

from: [info]aikido_al
date: Mar. 25th, 2008 10:59 pm (UTC)
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You know what, every dojo/dojang I've been at has had the guy/gal that was "prize talent." Maybe it's an American phenonmena. We just have to have the star pitcher/quarterback.

However, I don't think the traditional ones are immune as the sempai system sort of naturally creates a dramatized role.

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mightybakudan

(no subject)

from: [info]mightybakudan
date: Mar. 25th, 2008 11:00 pm (UTC)
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Ah, but when it's done correctly, the sempai system demands that the elder, more experienced students take an active hand in teaching lower belts while still respecting them. It is very very hard to find a school where this is done as it was intended, instead of as a system of sanctioned bullying.

But it can be done.

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bigdaddydonut

my current school

from: [info]bigdaddydonut
date: Mar. 26th, 2008 01:54 am (UTC)
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I'm really impressed with my current school so far. From my somewhat limited experience, I've not seen any of the prize-pupil syndrome. Mister Rodgers (yes, I've gone from Master Castor to Mister Rodgers... only the best teacher names for me).

The big guy and I are really enjoying ourselves thus far.

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A Dark and Lovely Place

What style

from: [info]angry_joe_buss
date: Mar. 26th, 2008 04:40 pm (UTC)
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What style have you gotten yourself into? More curious than anything else.

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bigdaddydonut

Re: What style

from: [info]bigdaddydonut
date: Mar. 27th, 2008 12:46 am (UTC)
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Much to my surprise, it's an ATA TKD school. Perhaps it's because while it's ATA, it's not a chain. I kind of had a stigma about ATA TKD, but stopped by to watch a class and interview the instructor. Each of the instructors I watched (during a kids class) really seemed passionate about working with the kids. Add in some convenience, and I'm ATA now...

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mightybakudan

Re: What style

from: [info]mightybakudan
date: Mar. 27th, 2008 02:35 am (UTC)
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Nothing wrong with ATA. It's like being Presbyterian or Methodist - it's just fancy name for the same damn thing everyone else is doing. ^_^

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A Dark and Lovely Place

I'll agree with this

from: [info]angry_joe_buss
date: Mar. 26th, 2008 04:39 pm (UTC)
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The dojo I'm currently training with uses the Sempai system to great effect. The senior students are responsible for the growth and development of the newbies-and they really like to see people help. On Monday one guy worked with me for over an hour on one roll-and when I finally did everything right I think he was actually happier than I was.

Sure we still have the egos involved, but we're human. That stuff happens. But that's not the Sempai system's fault, more that people can never get along with all of their fellow humans. We're just not wired for that.

As for having the "super" student-it's not limited to America. Look at some of the fast risers in the MMA community-some people just have gifts that others aren't blessed with. And since my wife is involved in the dance community, I've seen it there as well. There was a champion dancer who basically shut down her school in Australia-because she was that much better than everyone else and the teacher realized it and focused on her. The problem isn't those star students, though, it's how the teacher handles them.

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