Martial Arts and Asking Questions. Inquiring Minds want to Know.
Martial Arts and Asking Questions: I come from old world martial art training. If they did things today like my teacher did there would be no students, and likely he would be in jail.
Sadly today much of the Western Culture "thinks" outcome should be equal for all, regardless of work and effort done.
That is a political lie, you want a result you have to do the work.
Martial Arts and Asking Questions
When I was first training in the art questions seemed to be discouraged. But were they really? I can recall at Green Belt learning Won Hyo Hyung and not understanding a movement. So I asked. And I was given an answer without reproach or delay. Yet at other times I was told to be quiet and train.
And that is the key! Martial Arts and Asking Questions is encouraged! However there is a specific etiquette that is often times different from Dojo to Dojo. And the etiquette should not be violated.
I opened by first Dojo in March of 2000. It was a very different era for martial arts training and teaching, the turn of the century. Students often had many questions they wished to have answered. Some I answered immediately, and some I told the student to hang on until after class. It depended on whether the questions was pertinent to what I was teaching in class or not. But I answered all questions.
Martial Arts and Asking Questions - Masters of Old
The idea that asking questions was not allowed was first seen with the masters of old. Part of this was certain Dojo etiquette and keeping classes moving. You are there to train after all!
However I did discover that some of the reason for not answering questions was language oriented. Many of the masters of old had difficulty with languages. A great example was my first Grand Master Teacher. Mr Oh referred to a movement in foundations as being called "Back Horse."
Martial Arts and Asking Questions
This of course conjured images of a knight on a horse and backing up. How WARRIOR like! And yet this was simply a speaking English issue, his accent. He was saying "Backwards." Yet no one figured this out for decades. Even though we were moving backwards.
And often times long explanation were simply not possible. It was not about secrets, or hiding things. A great example is Mr Oh's linage in Hapkido and with General Choi. The story has not been told to my knowledge. But I can image a long detailed explanation of linage in English would be a challenge. I speak 2 languages but the second language is far from perfect! My second language is Romanian.
Here is a link to an article called Learning the Language of Budo.
Martial Arts and Asking Questions in Conclusion
I have never learned anything while I was talking. When I am in a classroom learning I shut up, listen, and train.
However there is a time when I must ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions!!
The martial arts is a life long journey. And there will always be questions along the path. Follow the etiquette and ask away! Thank you for reading Martial Arts and Asking Questions.
Questions?
Speaking of questions,do you have any??
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Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!
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