Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
One of the worst responses to a student I have ever heard. As a guest teacher at one dojo I was actually approached by an instructor who told me I articulated way too much and that their goal in that dojo was to train, train, and train then practice, practice and practice.
Granted, sometimes I can be a bit long winded and being asked to par down the discussion or answer to questions is not a bad thing. I do try hard to keep in shorter and in plain English and then I consider just how important words are to understanding even when the discipline is so physical in its very nature, like karate.
Anyway, in regard to the shut up and train response, this one should be totally and completely removed from the dojo vocabulary BECAUSE it is inappropriate in that it negates rather than supports and respects questions from students. It is like being slapped in the face and we all already know how disrespectful it is to be slapped. I would rather they cold cocked me or threw me down or beat me about the head and shoulders than to be slapped.
It is also a phrase that speaks loudly about the person using it as fearful, fearing they will lose respect and status if they don’t know an answer to the question. They fail to realize just how much more respect they convey when they simply say, “I need to do some research, let me get back to you on that, ok?” Another approach is to say, “I need to ask for some guidance form Sensei , give me a few minutes and I will get back to you, ok?”
We speak about respect in the dojo through the martial arts so it seems plausible to me that respect is mutually given when both the spoken word and our actions speak to the respect we have for ourselves as professionals and as humans; the respect we have for others as students, fellow martial artists and as humans to others as to visitors, members and other professionals as invited friends in martial arts.
Just because my sensei spoke those words to which at the time I took to be more harmful then helpful and I also used it in my fledgling years as a sensei AND now I have come to realize it is not a conducive methodology in teaching, training and practicing a martial art or just about any other discipline be it sport, competitive or combative like martial disciplines.
Think about it!
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)
Charles James
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