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