Blog
Hot Topic
It was Australia Day yesterday and I have to admire the people who made the decision to turn up to training, last night, on a public holiday let alone one of the hottest days of this year and 100% humidity. Do you know people actually pay good money to sweat like that – saunas and steam 
rooms.
Although uncomfortable, it was nevertheless, great just to do something. If we keep depending on weather and time, you might as well get the calendar and start crossing out a few days. Actually, for me, it was not too bad after spending 2 hours wrestling last Monday night on the 2nd floor of an old building without any fans or other circulation. The reality is not so much you can't train in bad weather, it's more the sudden weather change making it noticeable. Given that hot and humid weather we had this week remains the same over the next few weeks, nobody would ever bother bringing it up.
At the end of the day, we are martial artists and we can train under any conditions which is not like sitting in an office in front of a computer. Just something to think about when the invevitable weather change happens again.
GA
Darwin’s Theory
It's my 2nd week back in training this year so things are starting to getting back to normal including writing blogs:
As an Instructor becomes more experienced, they start to realise they are also in the business of developing martial arts personalities as they strengthen people’s minds. They provide students with positive mentoring and direction, especially the young ones. They give people the gift of life whether it’s through teaching them to defend themselves or providing lifelong mental and physical stimulation.
When I first starting training Karate, everything was about learning to replicate my Instructor. I saw very little difference, in the metaphorical sense, between Black Belts in the way they kicked and punched. However, as you grow and gain experience you begin to notice not everyone is the same. Traditionally, Karate, or any other martial art, did (and still does) a very good job of 'cloning' students which was particularly evident through the basics and kata. You have to wonder whether it was they way it was taught back then which may explain why everybody moved and looked the same; or was it because, only those who could keep up with the Instructor's expectation, stayed on and the others dropped out (bless Charles Darwin). However, any of these two could be true. 
So today, with more people staying on in the martial arts we see people as individuals developing their own ‘personalities’ as opposed to being replicas. It’s the Instructor’s responsibility to develop these personalities. When I see a student kicking differently, due to differing physical attributes and ability, it’s my job to assess whether that technique is done correctly within the parameters of how it should be performed.
Good Instructors don't weed out the weaker to promote egos. What is really good for the school is what is good for the student and, what is good for the student is good for the school.
GA
Merry (Xmas) Go Round
Every year is like a merry go round; we do it all over again. To many people, particularly in this country, Xmas is a holy day and for others it can be whatever they want it to be. It's also a time for families getting together and even contacting friends we may have not spoken to for a while. At work we temporarily drop the
formalities of class, rank, position, grade or titles and speak to each other on parity.
This time of the year gives us a chance to prepare for new starts and think about what we need to improve ourselves in the upcoming year. Whilst this is going on, people like me, see another side to this and have to work right through the festive season. I lose a bit of contact with the world during this period (except for a few text messages from close friends). The only celebration I have is the people I work with and when the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, I shake hands with the closest person to me at the time!
I wish everyone a very MERRY XMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR including family and friends all over the world.
GA