By Christopher Miller
Head Instructor of Traditional Okinawan Karate of Kinnelon
A Martial Arts Teacher has a great responsibility to his or her students. A traditional teacher is responsible to encourage, motivate and provide tools for students to be successful in and out of the Dojo. As student’s problems arise (and they will), a teacher will call on the vast lessons of the past to try to help the student (or parent) overcome, diffuse and/or adapt to the new difficulty.
In the Dojos (Martial Arts Schools) that I have trained in, the teachers have passed down knowledge through small anecdotes.
- “Others are Others, I am I.” Do not focus on other people’s success or decisions. Focus on your own. In life you are only competing with yourself.
- “If the wind fails, Go to the oars” Success is built on momentum. It is great when momentum is on your side; but if it is not, create your own.
- “Small hinges move big doors.” It is the little things that create success in and out of the Dojo. If the hinges don’t work well, neither will the door.
- “A sweaty Gi (uniform)” looks good on me!” Get to work, you will feel better after you have started your training. You will also have a sense of accomplishment.
- “If you never climb the mountain, you will never see the view.” GET TO WORK! Decide which mountain is worth climbing and begin.
- “How Does a mouse eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” If you look at a large problem as a whole, it may seem intimidating. But if you break it down into pieces the problem becomes more solvable.
I hope some of these help you as much as they have helped me.
Find out more about our Traditional Okinawan Karate programs: