NEW SEASON, NEW LIFE!

NEW SEASON, NEW LIFE!

That’s what I mostly say when I see new students flooding the dojo at the start of the season.

KARATE SEASON IS OPEN!

And I hereby deeply apologize for being absent the past time.

You see boys and girls, there comes a terrible time in every karate-ka’s life. Summer vacation. 

‘Season break’. I hated it! Although I trained through the summer it was a bit thin with only once a week and a lot of recovering I still had to do because of my tendinitis. 

(It’s going well, thank you for your concern!)

Now that we have new students coming in, I’d like to share my personal thought/tip for both Sensei and Students.

Newbies are:

Ignorant

Insecure

Inspiring

Because they don’t know how to do anything yet, they dive in head first (and end up falling flat on their face) or they’re a bit shy and need a little push.

Be their safety net.

Now I know that (new) students can pull off the most hilarious stunts. And to students that have been there for a while already and Sensei this is very amusing. No matter what amazingly ‘dumb’ thing a new student does:

DO, NOT. LAUGH. AT. THEM.

EVER.

NOT FUNNY.

Okay, maybe it can be funny. But try imagining how that student feels. You can see the shock on her face. It is so scary to fail. 

We all have been there. 

So no judgmental laughter! Not even a chuckle..  Even if it wants to make you pee your pants. 

New students can be inspiring. They ask you questions you’ve never thought about. They can push you to think up new methods to teach. They bring a new spirit in a group, a chance to practice with a different person. 

New students teach restraint on other students.

New students bring fire to the spirit of your Sensei. (I love seeing fresh faces as much as the known ones)

New students are awesome.

So what are you waiting for?

Get your butt (back) in the dojo!