Embrace the Desire and Passion of the Beginner
We have a fantastic set of new students at our dojo! I am so very proud of them!
Keep an Open Mind and Embrace the Desire and Passion of the Beginner
I helped a new student start their first class at the dojo, and as a result I wound up standing at the far right end of the line of all of the students at the end of class. When class had ended, I had an interesting realization. I clearly remembered what Sensei had said to us, and really thought about how I felt standing in the position of a white belt student. I also noticed how energized I felt being around the new students and how they made me feel and awakened feelings that I had lost track of as an upper level student.
When you stand in line as a white belt at the right side you see all of your peers standing to your left. As a white belt, if there was no other person standing to your right, (other than another white belt.) The white belt feels this burning desire to be somewhere in the middle or even to be on the other end with the black belts! This desire for knowledge and experience allows us to continue to learn, grow and develop as students. This drive to learn more and better ourselves is at the core of human nature. Embrace this enthusiasm that new students have, and plug it into your training as it is infectious!
When you attain a certain rank you receive a belt or mark that you have attained a certain degree of knowledge and experience. The important factor is that students do not stop learning regardless of rank, especially black belts. The truth is the higher your rank, the more time and effort you must put into your training, and you are forced to make decisions based on your knowledge and experience. There is much to learn and retain. We need to embrace each new lesson with the desire and passion of the beginner, though at times it may be difficult.
Sensei continually asks the students of higher rank, if someone would lead a kata with the students of that particular rank. The object of this is not just for the students in the kyu ranks to learn their katas, it is crucial for the Upper Belts to continue learning and reinforcing what they have learned. Leading a kata is the best test and reinforcement of your knowledge and experience. You have to not only watch if you are leading correctly but also watch the students who are following along with you. This experience is definitely worth it as it can only make you a better student.
Everyone makes lots of mistakes as a beginner and as an advanced student; mistakes are just part of the learning process. That is why we practice katas and basics over and over again. This is so that they are engrained into our minds and bodies and can be performed at a level that is almost reflexive. The truth to any discipline is that practice makes perfect, and here is no such thing as too much practice. If you can not remember something, do not be ashamed to ask another person for help. I often ask other students and Sensei questions and practice after class. Without their help I could not continue to grow and learn as a student. Humility is one of the most important virtues that we can learn from the study of karate.
We bow to each other as a sign of humility and respect for one another. We do this at the beginning of each class and each exercise we do. It is important to remember our level of responsibility to ourselves and show respect to our school and all of its members, especially new students. They are the future of our school and are future black belts. Advanced students need to make time to show and help new students in any way you can. Remember to give lots of positive feedback as well as correction when appropriate. Be objective and not overtly critical. Passing knowledge on to others is a test of a student’s experience and skill. New students will teach you more about yourself than you realize.
Sensei said it best when he reminded the upper level students, “That karate is more than just kicks and punches”; it is a study to improve the whole person. Focus and get involved in class. Give 110 %! Leave your shoes and worries at the door. It is your responsibility to yourself to remember this. Keep a beginners mind and outlook to all things not only at the dojo but in your personal life as well. No matter where you stand in the line you are first and foremost a student. There really is no end to the learning process in the study of karate. Keep an Open Mind and Embrace the desire and passion of the beginner.
Keep an Open Mind and Embrace the Desire and Passion of the Beginner
I helped a new student start their first class at the dojo, and as a result I wound up standing at the far right end of the line of all of the students at the end of class. When class had ended, I had an interesting realization. I clearly remembered what Sensei had said to us, and really thought about how I felt standing in the position of a white belt student. I also noticed how energized I felt being around the new students and how they made me feel and awakened feelings that I had lost track of as an upper level student.
When you stand in line as a white belt at the right side you see all of your peers standing to your left. As a white belt, if there was no other person standing to your right, (other than another white belt.) The white belt feels this burning desire to be somewhere in the middle or even to be on the other end with the black belts! This desire for knowledge and experience allows us to continue to learn, grow and develop as students. This drive to learn more and better ourselves is at the core of human nature. Embrace this enthusiasm that new students have, and plug it into your training as it is infectious!
When you attain a certain rank you receive a belt or mark that you have attained a certain degree of knowledge and experience. The important factor is that students do not stop learning regardless of rank, especially black belts. The truth is the higher your rank, the more time and effort you must put into your training, and you are forced to make decisions based on your knowledge and experience. There is much to learn and retain. We need to embrace each new lesson with the desire and passion of the beginner, though at times it may be difficult.
Sensei continually asks the students of higher rank, if someone would lead a kata with the students of that particular rank. The object of this is not just for the students in the kyu ranks to learn their katas, it is crucial for the Upper Belts to continue learning and reinforcing what they have learned. Leading a kata is the best test and reinforcement of your knowledge and experience. You have to not only watch if you are leading correctly but also watch the students who are following along with you. This experience is definitely worth it as it can only make you a better student.
Everyone makes lots of mistakes as a beginner and as an advanced student; mistakes are just part of the learning process. That is why we practice katas and basics over and over again. This is so that they are engrained into our minds and bodies and can be performed at a level that is almost reflexive. The truth to any discipline is that practice makes perfect, and here is no such thing as too much practice. If you can not remember something, do not be ashamed to ask another person for help. I often ask other students and Sensei questions and practice after class. Without their help I could not continue to grow and learn as a student. Humility is one of the most important virtues that we can learn from the study of karate.
We bow to each other as a sign of humility and respect for one another. We do this at the beginning of each class and each exercise we do. It is important to remember our level of responsibility to ourselves and show respect to our school and all of its members, especially new students. They are the future of our school and are future black belts. Advanced students need to make time to show and help new students in any way you can. Remember to give lots of positive feedback as well as correction when appropriate. Be objective and not overtly critical. Passing knowledge on to others is a test of a student’s experience and skill. New students will teach you more about yourself than you realize.
Sensei said it best when he reminded the upper level students, “That karate is more than just kicks and punches”; it is a study to improve the whole person. Focus and get involved in class. Give 110 %! Leave your shoes and worries at the door. It is your responsibility to yourself to remember this. Keep a beginners mind and outlook to all things not only at the dojo but in your personal life as well. No matter where you stand in the line you are first and foremost a student. There really is no end to the learning process in the study of karate. Keep an Open Mind and Embrace the desire and passion of the beginner.
posted by Jake Richtsmeier at 9:52 AM
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