Blog
A Dead Ringer
Sorry for the blogs which have been coming one after another but here's a change from my regular which I am sure you will find very interesting. Most 
people have heard the phrase, 'Graveyard Shift'. This is how it originated:
In the 1500's England was running out of places to bury people so they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they thought they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."
I found this quite fascinating but what's more, is every Instructor was absolutely astounded when I told them this. The students now know that Instructors don't just talk about martial arts, they also drink good coffee! Pleasant dreams!
GA
Music to my Ears
Put a Martial Arts Instructor in front of an orchestra and there's your Meistro. An 
Instructor and a Meistro compare quite similar; both viewed as gracious characters who have control and instruct musicians/students. They also have the power to change and control the mood and pace in the room. The musicians would be lost without a Meistro and the martial arts students would not do too well either without an Instructor.
It's difficult to give your undivided attention to a speech on low volume and single tone of voice. It's as exciting as a 'B' grade black and white movie. You can't expect too much from the students with an Instructor using a monotone voice and the volume turned down. For the students to be on full alert the Instructor has to be in the right mood. I find sharp counts and a varying voice gets this mood and pace going. Using the hands like a Meistro will also help. That's what you call being a 'hands on' Instructor.
If you ever get a chance to see a Meistro in action have a look at the way he or she controls the orchestra. Music can vary from loud, soft, quick, slow, explosive to dead silent, all from the wave of the Meistro's hands. If students can move gracefully like dancers do to music that's what I would call 'music to my ears'.
GA
I’ll Take on Anybody!
I'm always up for a challenge. It doesn't matter who walks in the door, a good Instructor should be able to take on anybody! We welcome male or female, young or old, fat or thin, strong or weak, tall or short, disabled, mentally challenged, deaf or even blind. It doesn't matter what religion, race, culture, beliefs, marital status, sexual preferences etc, they're all good to go (ie become martial arts students); that's my way of showing respect to everyone and acknowledging how special some of these people, with disabilities, really are by taking up the martial arts. I've had a 60 year old train with me for a few years and I always made him feel welcome because it was such a pleasure having him around.
Most Instructors will usually have no problems teaching their art but how many would really be prepared or confident enough to take on a 'not so typical' walk in. Now that would be a real challenge! Only recently one evening, I realised one of my students could not execute a particular movement. He actually came up to me and nervously said it was because of his bad knee. I said, 'we will improvise and not to worry about it, there are thousands of techniques to do, so I seriously doubt this would affect his ability to learn martial arts.' I think this was the right answer because a sign of relief showed on his face. That was only a small challenge.
Every student has a right to be at any martial arts school they choose so it is important for the Instructor to know that every student should be treated equally. The Instructor also has to facilitate training for some people who have special needs. It's an extra great feeling when an Instructor can really make a positive impact on the lives of these special people. How many Instructors are willing to taken on anybody now?
GA