Question for all Instructors: What made you want to teach?

[Iron_Eagle_76]

For those here who are Sifus, Instructors, Coaches, ect. what made you want to teach? I'm just curious as to what point in your journey in martial arts did you decide to teach.

For me personally I wanted to give others the oppourtunity to learn the things I have and add something to the system.

[ginosifu]

I could not pin point any reason. I just started out liking helping others during class, while I was a student. I would see people struggling with a technique and I would feel compelled to go help them. Eventually my teacher asked me if I wanted to become an instructor.

The rest is history.

ginosifu

[xcakid]

I could not pin point any reason. I just started out liking helping others during class, while I was a student. I would see people struggling with a technique and I would feel compelled to go help them. Eventually my teacher asked me if I wanted to become an instructor.

The rest is history.

ginosifu

That is pretty much my story as well.

[David Jamieson]

I have little or no desire for teaching. :-)

I do like to exchange with individuals who already know something.

I especially don't like teaching kids. lol

I think you guys that do teach kids are ok in my books. I really can't be bothered with that sort of thing. Plus the whole "coming of age" period, I am not interested in that either.

Just old school boys club type stuff.

[MightyB]

I have little or no desire for teaching. :-)

I do like to exchange with individuals who already know something.

I especially don't like teaching kids. lol

I think you guys that do teach kids are ok in my books. I really can't be bothered with that sort of thing. Plus the whole "coming of age" period, I am not interested in that either.

Just old school boys club type stuff.

I second this thought. Plus, teaching is a huge commitment. I don't think people realize it when they start teaching, but you have to be there, and you should be there for the long haul if you decide to teach because your students depend on you.

[TenTigers]

every school that I was in, they always had me assist with the instruction. I had a gift for breaking things down, patience, compassion, and passion for Martial arts.
When you teach, each little victory a student feels when they overcome a problem, or succeed at learning a technique, is my victory as well. When I see that light in their eyes, or when they become empowered, it becomes instant payback.
Of course the downside is when big guys start to develop their power...it sux holding the pads for them!
"OOFF! Nice kick.....why don't you go over there and work with Mike for awhile..."

[MightyB]

This is an interesting approach to teaching:
http://crazymonkeydefense.com/cmd/?page_id=211

very customer centric and breaks away from the traditional model.

[David Jamieson]

Another big part I don't like is the daddy complex latch ons that invariably show up.

They are the poorly socialized folks who project an ideal onto you and then when you don't meet that ideal because you are actually you, these people go all to sh1t and troubles about it.

That is the main thing that I really don't like about taking on the position of teacher. It is a huge responsibility when it comes to the unformed mind. i'm not equipped to adequately deal with those types of people and I am not interested in becoming equipped to do so either! lol

yes, most of the time you are dealing with fairly mentally stable people, but in Martial arts, trust me, a percentage of you guys are already borderline nut cases and certainly the potential student body has it's share.

I mean people actually used to show up at the club and they wanted to learn how to do the tree walking like in crouching tiger and they are SERIOUS!!

[SPJ]

For those here who are Sifus, Instructors, Coaches, ect. what made you want to teach? I'm just curious as to what point in your journey in martial arts did you decide to teach.

For me personally I wanted to give others the oppourtunity to learn the things I have and add something to the system.

both teaching and learning are an ongoing process.

we learn from both.

you may impart and pass on whatever you learned and understood to the younger generation.

we also learn from interaction with students.

--

[curenado]

Because Kung Fu should be preserved and taught to those who are cut out for it

To maintain my own health and continue to improve my skills

Because our master ran a great traditional school and it was our haven

To produce trained people to maintain the school and it's functions

Because I was too far away from life in the years I competed most with it and now wish to posess it more since I have time from struggling with it less

To share as many and as much of all the good things of kung fu as any person can handle - may the well never be dry

To facilitate those who choose the monk's way and life, whatever their life and circumstances are

To preserve the inner as well as the outer and all the teachings that often get neglected in the pursuit of martial prowess, which is a little empty and weaker without them

.....and I needed something to do

[Merryprankster]

I like it.

[Shaolin]

I never wanted to instruct, it was just a way for me to get more lessons.

[curenado]

Lol! Pragmatist ~