What makes a good Kung fu teacher / Sifu

[md1]

With all this talk lately about mma , tcma and whether you have spent time in the ring using moves at full force against resisting opponents is it important or necessary to have fought in the ring to be a good teacher?

I myself have had my share of encounters and fights through the years… some I didn’t fair to well and others came out better for me. I have fought a little in tournaments but a lot of that was B.S. and never in the ring and don’t have any of that on tape (who could afford a video camera back then). At 50 being in the ring is something for my dreams only but I still try to spar at least once a week, although with a new hip it has become very controlled with the kicks and sweeps.

At the end of the day I try to keep everything as real as possible with the students… the ones that want to fight, they can but I also don’t push the ones to fight that don’t want too.

Love doing and living my kung fu and love the mma for keeping it real

[David Jamieson]

A decent teacher will:

- encourage you to take ownership of what you are learning

- will not treat anyone as more special than anyone else - the class helps each other.

- is patient and won't repeat an erroneous lesson and instead will find a different way for you to learn.

- understands alternate learning styles

- fully understands the subject matter and is well trained in it him/her self.

[JamesC]

- Encourage you to cross train
- Admit that he/she doesn't have all the answers

[Snipsky]

A decent teacher will:

- encourage you to take ownership of what you are learning

- will not treat anyone as more special than anyone else - the class helps each other.

- is patient and won't repeat an erroneous lesson and instead will find a different way for you to learn.

- understands alternate learning styles

- fully understands the subject matter and is well trained in it him/her self.

I agree with the above but will add that i believe whether its the ring or the street, having used their gung fu in real life situations (not just studio stuff) prior to teaching is important.

[JamesC]

By cross train, I don't necessarily mean take up another art.

More like have experience at least sparring/rolling with people from other arts.

[Iron_Eagle_76]

Martial Arts is about learning through self-discovery and although I had some great teachers, my accomplishments were of my own doing. The point being, a good teacher is essential but the student is the one who must sacrifice the time, effort, and work ethic outside of class to become great.

[donjitsu2]

By cross train, I don't necessarily mean take up another art.

More like have experience at least sparring/rolling with people from other arts.

This is incredibly important.

The more people, from different backgrounds, you can work with (in terms of sparring/rolling) the more chances you get to identify the "holes" in your own abilities.

[JamesC]

This is incredibly important.

The more people, from different backgrounds, you can work with (in terms of sparring/rolling) the more chances you get to identify the "holes" in your own abilities.

And, on a related note to another thread, you'll most likely gain a lot of respect for other arts and the people that train in them. Sure helps to reduce all the martial art elitism.

[Lucas]

knowing how to teach is very important imo. i think sometimes we find people teaching who dont know the art of teaching in itself. which can severly diminish your students ability to absorb what you are trying to transmit.

the best teachers are...well...teachers. this is different than coaching.

[SPJ]

a teacher only guides/leads you thru the door

it is the student that will make most of the work for himself.

si fu lin jin men

xiu xing zhai ge ren.

a good teacher gives advices according to progression of each student individually.

--

at critical moment, a good pointer means night and day

--

[TenTigers]

the signs of a really good Sifu"
1. long hair
2. plays guitar
3. rides a Harley
4. an incredible lover
5. humility

[SPJ]

the signs of a really good Sifu"
1. long hair
2. plays guitar
3. rides a Harley
4. an incredible lover
5. humility

second that

A + 1

[ginosifu]

the signs of a really good Sifu"
1. long hair
2. plays guitar
3. rides a Harley
4. an incredible lover
5. humility

Hmmmm, I used to know a good Sifu like that out in New York somewhwere?

ginosifu

[SPJ]

1. growing long hairs and keep them tidy

requires daily work, you mess up your hairs when you sleep

you have to comb every morning, this means the person is diligent and takes good care of himself.

2. play guitars, he knows music, he may express his emotions via music, he is smart or wise and emotionally calm--

3. ride harley or ride a horse, good at balance, power and speed--

4, a good lover, --- lots of love and compassion

5, humility, humble is very hard to do or not easy to keep

if you may learn these 5 things

you are a very good person already, you win already

or you avoid/solve a lot of preconditions that people fight.

remember fighting is a means and not an end.

---

[wenshu]

the signs of a really good Sifu"
1. long hair
2. plays guitar
3. rides a Harley
4. an incredible lover
5. humility

1. growing long hairs and keep them tidy

requires daily work, you mess up your hairs when you sleep

you have to comb every morning, this means the person is diligent and takes good care of himself.

2. play guitars, he knows music, he may express his emotions via music, he is smart or wise and emotionally calm--

3. ride harley or ride a horse, good at balance, power and speed--

4, a good lover, --- lots of love and compassion

5, humility, humble is very hard to do or not easy to keep

if you may learn these 5 things

you are a very good person already, you win already

or you avoid/solve a lot of preconditions that people fight.

remember fighting is a means and not an end.

---

Nice eharmony profile.