What improvements do we need for a successful Shorin Ryu style today?

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1. eihachi. ota @ sbcglobal. net
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From: eihachi....@sbcglobal.net <EIHACHI....@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 22:10:09 -0700
Local: Tues, May 27 2008 10:10 pm
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1. What improvements do we need for a successful Shorin Ryu
style today?

Have an open mind. Bruce Lee once said “That the usefulness of a cup
is in its emptiness” to put it another way “ the usefulness of the
mind is its openness” I believe that we should strive to learn all
that has come before and has been passed down to us from past
teachers, but we also need to be open for new knowledge and methods.

• We need to be creative in the ways we teach.
• Find people who can be a mentor and take advantage of their
experience.
• Brainstorm with other teachers and coaches
• Create a positive environment and team chemistry for our
students
to be a part of.
• Be good communicators
• Teach our student to set goals for themselves. Long term as
well
as short term. Process goals as well as outcome goals.

2. In your opinion, what are the mandatory characteristics of a
Shorin Ryu role model and leader?

• He or she must be able to motivate and communicate. .
• He or she should be as fit as age and health will allow.
Students
often come in to a new dojo looking to get in shape as well as self
discipline. If the instructor is out of shape, what message is he or
she sending to his students?
• Beginning students should always be taught tradition, it is
vital
for them to have a good start.
• A sensei should have a good understanding of the principles of
his
or her style and be able to plan and deliver meaningful instructions,
taking into account the varying needs, interest and abilities of his
or her students.

3. What areas of knowledge must a Shorin Ryu practitioner have
to be
considered a master?

I have a problem with the notion that anyone ever really becomes a
master, but I will try to give you my thoughts on what it takes to
be considered a Renshi (one who knows), Kyoshi (one who teaches),
Hanshi (a model for the whole) . A comparison may be made to our
college and university system of degrees, Bachelor, Master, and PhD.
To start with he or she must know all kata and bunkai (application)
for their system, as well as the technical requirements pertaining to
their system. From this point you are just getting started. I also
feel that you need to be part sports psychologist, part personal
trainer, and a student with an unending quest for knowledge.

Mike George