Further Learning

     In the past year I have had so many opportunities for growth and development. I have started a new job as a youth self defense coach through the company All American Youth Activities (AAYA) based out of Dayton, OH. The opportunity for experience as well as a chance to pass my knowledge onto the next generation is invaluable. The class is affordable at a mere $7 a week for one 45 min. class. At the age these students are at, 6-10 at the moment, it is felt that their attention span cannot be held past that point. It was a rough start transitioning to teaching children much younger than I am used to, but it has forced me to look at the martial arts in many different ways and break larger concepts into bite sized pieces that can be weaved into games and drills. The rate at which they are improving is fantastic. My students currently only number 4, however at this point I feel this is a number that allows me to give each a very individualized experience while still being able to incorporate partner drills. The opportunity to teach the class how I see fit has been a relieving and rewarding experience. While I am still bound to the organization's testing requirements, I can teach those basic techniques in the way I see fit and further pepper their training with my own flavors.

     More recently I have had the privilege of attending a Modern Arnis seminar taught by Master Chuck Gauss, one of seven masters of Modern Arnis in the world. This was an amazing seminar filled with real world applications and a chance to further my learning in an area I have long been interested in yet seldom ventured into. Attending this seminar has refueled my desire to continue working with weapons in the martial arts. The awareness necessary to achieve weapons work with proficiency bleeds into all other areas of martial arts whether or not it is intentional. Because of this seminar I have introduced weapons to my students. While they are not yet ready to begin work with them,  I have given them demonstration and a basic understanding of weapons work to wet their appetite to continue and get to the level where I can start to train them in various weapons forms and combat. 

     Teaching and seeking further learning has given me a new outlook on martial arts. I used to feel that one should focus on one style. I was a purist. While I can still see the draw of that style of training, and I in no way condone it, I now believe cross training can be an excellent mental and physical workout. Practicing technique you are not used to performing, or techniques you have practiced for years in different ways, makes your body slow down  and your mind to spark to life. I feel excited about training each and every time again. I feel how I felt about martial arts as I was training for my 1st Dan test. I feel alive.