Saturday, September 5, 2009

PSR and My Evolution

"Punishment" (push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks) seemed to be a normal part of my entire journey from white belt to black belt. Like Master Rhee alluded, it was just part of the culture. As an energetic 20 something yr old with an inferiority complex it was probably good for me. I always considered the punishments as a way to get stronger and better. There wasn't much verbal berating.
And then there is the other extreme that gives a pass to shoddy technique and disrespect.
But, now that I think about it, I saw a lot a people pass through the punishment phase to black belt and they had shoddy technique.
My teaching technique for colored belts, (of whom I have little interaction with and this is probably why), is one of "honest encouragement" or what I call H.U.R.T. (Have U Repaired That (yet). In other words, if I told you at the last class to keep your assistant hand in the proper place at your side and you are consistently not doing it at this class, or your feet STILL are not at the proper angle, then you will be walking cat stances or long hiking stances around the perimeter of the room, both ways, with both hands at your side the whole time. (I purposely tried to avoid saying "at your belt" or even, "on your belt" because I now consider that too low for most people.).
Some may want to call that punishment but I prefer to think of it as "focusing" one's attention on certain details.
Of Course, black belts don't receive that sort of encouragement. They should be pushing themselves to excellence. SUN!

1 comment:

Master Hawk said...

Master Crane,

Have you observed any changes in the way the forms and techniques are performed, or the way the classes are structured and taught?As I have mentioned to you, I have seen some fairly major changes in the way certain things are done in the past 15 years.(techniques, etc.) However, I also realize I may be just seeing things differently too. I also have no problem with change or evolution, as long as we're moving in a positive direction!
SUN!