James Moves Forward

Sorry about the delay but here are a few pics from James' grading. It was a long but successful night at the school.

Latest Grading Pics

It has been a while since I have had a chance to post but last night's grading has motivated me to log on and share the pictures. Enjoy and congratulations to Chris.

Another Successful Victim

How Long Does it Take to Become an Instructor?

As I speak with people I often am asked how long it would take them to become an instructor in Kung Fu. I am always amazed that people expect an answer to this question. I am not sure how I am expected to know the answer to this question. We should probably equate this to some other questions.

• As a person begins to take skating lessons, do people ask them when they will become a professional hockey player?
• How about stopping someone on the street and asking them how long it would take you to get to Florida? Ask that question without specifying how you intend to get there.

I am a Kung Fu instructor, not a psychic. There are way too many variables that play into the equation. Without training with a student for a while I cannot judge things such as athletic ability, retention, coordination, attitude, motivation, determination, attendance and patience. This does not even account for family commitments, work commitments, injury or unexpected circumstances. Let's just say that becoming an instructor will happen when it happens. I would encourage everybody to be patient, work hard and let things happen when they do.

Fighting During Grading - What Are You Testing?

Many Martial Arts schools employ some sort of grading system to promote students up their rankings. These gradings can lead to a new belt/sash, promotion in title or simply a level or increase within the system. Often the grading process includes fighting to determine that the student is able to fight at an adequate level for promotion. I have seen gradings where there does not seem to be a purpose to them. What are we testing in our gradings? Within my school we actually have a few things that we are testing during the fighting portion of the grading:

• We try to determine that the student is able to defend themselves in a pressure situation.
• We try to press the student to ensure that they are able to control their emotions (fear, anger, doubt, etc.)
• We test to see how the student is able to control their techniques in full speed, pressure situations where emotions are trying to take over.
• We try to ensure that the students get a small taste of how things are in a real fight whether they are winning or losing.
• We test how students adjust and think through the different scenarios that are presented in the grading.
• We ensure that the student is able to use legitimate techniques in the fights.
• We make sure that the student has a very good chance of succeeding in a confrontation.
  

Our team of instructors all went through this to get to where they are today. All of us have these goals in mind as we train the next set of instructors.

Look at all the Colourful Sashes/Belts - What Does It Mean?

Walking into my class you will notice a group of students dressed mainly in black with various coloured of sashes around their waist. This is very nice but keep in mind it is not the traditional way. For years I have struggled with the question of whether or not we should all wear the same colour of sash within the class and even went for a period of time with everyone wearing the same colour. Those in my class will understand that although we use colours to differentiate achievement levels, the real identification of where you rank in the class is by seniority/time as a member. We treat this as a family where your elder brother or sister will always be your elder brother or sister even if you surpass them in quantity of techniques learned.

Why have them? I have already mentioned that this helps me remember where the students are in their training and what they should have learned. I also believe that it is nice for the students to see advancement and achievement throughout their training in Kung Fu or any Martial Art.

What does it all mean? I would like my students to be proud of their achievements and be happy that they are progressing within our system. At the same time, I would like the students to understand that there are really 2 levels within the school, Sifu (instructor) or student. Within the school there is one Sifu....that being the head instructor.