There’s an old saying, “Learn from your mistakes.” And of course I see the sense of this. But some students have the slightly mistifying habit of wanting to back track for everything.
Dec
5
2011
5
2011
Sep
9
2009
9
2009
INB #20: On Becoming a Teacher
I’ve heard it said that most people get into the Martial Arts not simply to become Martial Arts practitioners but to become Martial Arts “Masters” …
Aug
15
2009
15
2009
INB #19: What to teach?
A kung fu teacher’s ruminations on the nature of students and content.
May
30
2008
30
2008
INB #17: Assistance on Assistants
Your classes are well enough attended for you to need some assistance. . .
Mar
12
2008
12
2008
The Crooked Line
If you are carrying on the work of developing, say, super string theory it helps to copy the equations accurately. But even correct equations are meaningless if you don’t understand them.
Aug
29
2006
29
2006
INB #14: The Loop
Here’s a place where you can use your creativity and at the same time benefit your students.
May
25
2006
25
2006
INB #12: The Rules of Correction
You can’t raise a hand without Jake saying, “No. That’s not it.”
Dec
23
2005
23
2005
INB #11 The Four Levels of Instruction
Instruction comes in a number of levels. It helps to know which one you are using.
Mar
23
2004
23
2004
INB #06: For the Head Instructor: Your Team
A school rides the backs of its instructors.
Feb
14
2004
14
2004
INB #05: Telling Lies
I was one of them. I admit it. There’s a certain phrase that countless that many instructors throughout the centuries have boldly declaimed …
Feb
9
2004
9
2004
INB #04: Those Advanced Sets, especially Weapons
There are a lot of fun forms I can hardly wait to teach.
Jan
17
2004
17
2004
INB #03: The Use of Analogy
A teacher in the martial arts soon learns that knowledge is a dangerous thing – to you.
Dec
21
2003
21
2003
INB #02: Adient and Abient Training
It doesn’t matter which aspect of Martial Arts you’re discussing, there is always an adient and abient face to it.
Oct
25
2003
25
2003
INB #01: The First Month, Verbal Interactions…
Sometimes the most important first step in a Kung Fu student’s career is not the teaching of basics but the first interview with the instructor.
