How Do I Improve?
There are different ways I learn and grow.
Attend my classes - I've done this since I joined Kung Fu and I continue to do this in the Black Belt class. This is the class where I am the student.
Help out in a class - I've done this for most of my time in Kung Fu. Helping out in the kids classes since I was a yellow belt and later on in the adults classes. As I help out, I am also learning lots by listening to the instructors and watching the students. In these classes I can help and I can also training with the class (which also helps the students of that class - lead by example).
Teach a class - take an active role in leading a portion of the class (or the whole class). This forces you to think in ways that you did not in the past and therefore enhances your own learning.
Planning a class - I find that planning is also key aspect of growth. As you plan, you are reinforcing or challenging your understanding of the art.
All of us can continue to grow by attending our classes, helping out in classes (Young Dragons, Teen/Adults, 2nd Deg. Brown), teach a class (or a portion of it), planning what you are going to teach.
Which should we pick? All of these...
Yitzik Csillag
In Person Training
I’m sure this is not new news to anyone, but our lessons in the black belt class (and any class, for that matter) are best received in person. Online attendance is a great resource for those days when life happens, as a way to still engage and absorb. It has its limitations, however, and sometimes they become a crutch and hinderance.
Over the next while, we will be focusing on chi and energy work. Specifically, we will be covering the established syllabus with a new approach; that of energy, intent and direction. Attendance in person is going to be critical, as partner work is required.
Chi and energy is a relationship. It is difficult to evolve in our training without experiencing this relationship. As such, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible, to absorb and practice the upcoming lessons in an online fashion. The quantity and quality of feedback (from both the instructors and students) is limited unless we are all in the same room.
Khona Rybak
