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| School spirit | ||
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How to behave
'School spirit' is all about making your class a pleasant place to be. Unlike
the Code of Conduct,
these are not rules set in stone. They are more like tips & pointers,
guidelines.
Not everyone knows how to behave in an
Asian
martial arts class.
Here are some considerations:
Appropriateness (towards Sifu Waller)
Etiquette
If you want to know a whole lot more about martial arts
etiquette, Dave Lowry's
In the Dojo is a good starting place.
Keep in mind
that Chinese internal arts customs may differ
from those suggested by
Dave Lowry.
A martial arts class is a potentially
dangerous place to be, but good manners and etiquette ensure that people behave
themselves.
Mutual respect is the key.
Helping out
Some students help out
because they want to.
Others help out because they are asked.
Being involved in the
running of the class is a good way to show school spirit.
Ways to help:
Prepare the room for class
Greet new students
Chat with new students during class break times
Promote the class on-line
Put up flyers
Tell people about class
Putting a review on Facebook, Google or other websites
Participate in class videos
Give feedback when asked for it
Occasionally Sifu Waller will ask for
help in finding a new venue. This is a major opportunity to really help the
class.
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Fees
Pay your fees punctually.
If you need to be reminded or prompted, this is an
unpleasant and
embarrassing situation.
Ang pow
It is customary in a Chinese Martial
Arts school for the school to give the instructor a notable
gift at the Start of the Training Year and
Chinese New Year.
Paying for
meals
In Chinese culture, the instructor(s) is a guest at the meal. They don't
book it. They don't arrange it and they don't pay for it either.
Essentially the school is taking their teacher(s) out for a meal.
Traditionally, school members are asked to
chip in £1 on the night to pay for
Sifu Waller's meal and Rachel's.
This is separate from gift ang pow and is collected by
the Social Secretary.
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Feedback, reviews &
suggestions
Positive, constructive feedback is always appreciated. Negative feedback
should be cautiously worded.
Sifu Waller tends to really like feedback and is keen to try out new
approaches.
Suggestions are fine if Sifu Waller has asked for them or you really
feel that it will help the class or make the teacher's life easier.
The main danger with suggestions is that the student invariably lacks the
complete picture and is making assumptions from a limited
perspective.
You will see karate students who
are learning taijiquan, for instance, coming from a long background in karate.
Unable to see the new art through anything but the filter of their karate
experience, they come up with a weird hybrid. They have not learned how to see
beyond their past experience and open up to a new one.
(Dave Lowry)
Attendance & enthusiasm
Attending class is an easy way to show school spirit. The more people in
the hall having fun, the better the atmosphere.
Nothing is worse than workshops attended by 2 people or cancelled due to lack
of interest. How shameful.
Working diligently through your grade shows
enthusiasm.
Grading
If you are seeking assessment, then arrive
early to class.
Do not expect charity. Assignments need to be completed and handed in,
challenges undertaken and
skills memorised.
Should you forget a set of exercises, be prepared to work on it further until the problem has been rectified to
Sifu Waller's satisfaction.
Your
school
You get out of class what you put into it.
If you treat
class as a service industry and Sifu Waller as your personal trainer/sports
coach, you are just not getting it.
The more effort and interest you put into the school and the syllabus, the more
rewarding the experience will be for you.
Public
When it is Start of
the Training Year or Chinese New Year the celebration usually takes place in
public.
It is important to remember your
relationship with your
instructor when attending.
You may be friends with Sifu Waller but remember that he is not your work colleague or mate.
You should behave accordingly.
Getting drunk or acting like a fool are not acceptable at a class event.
Chat with your class mates, have some food and drink, relax and enjoy
yourself... but remember where you are.
Page
created 21 October 2007
Last updated
5 November 2016
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