Choosing an instructor in the martial arts is highly subjective and can be very difficult.
To a large extent the martial arts are personality-driven. That is, people will study under a teacher who represents what that person thinks is the highest expression of his idealized vision of a teacher (sensei).
The teacher's personality is also of great importance. People will just not study under someone they do not like (not for very long). And as much as I don't believe in luck, I must say that a degree of luck is involved.
Why?
Well, people don't always reveal themselves in time for us to avoid an unpleasant encounter. This is true of both students and teachers. Most of the time such unpleasant encounters occur because of misunderstandings between the student and instructor..
Often, the misunderstanding involves money. Before agreeing to enter a school or signing a contract or agreeing to become a member of a club, read the document you are signing or make sure you understand what the teacher expects regarding dues and other rules.
Yes, there are bad students and there are also bad teachers. Think about martial arts movies in which a bad instructor infects his whole school with his "win or die" philosophy. But, it usually turns out ok in the end, right?
Choosing a teacher is chancy and It is directly related to choosing a school. And by school I mean not only the location but also the organization backing the local school. It's all subjective. By that I mean that joining a school is subject to whatever goals you have in mind.
Don't just accept or settle for the first school or teacher you find. Stick to your standards and make this one of the best decisions you have ever made.
How to Choose a Martial Arts Instructor
So, let me bullet-point some things to be aware of in choosing a teacher.
· He should have a verifiable rank.· He should be authorized to teach.· He should be an adult - seriously.· You should not feel pressured to join the club.· You should not feel intimidated by the teachers or by the other students.· You should not feel like you are about to be initiated into a cult.· The facility, instructor and students should be clean (in every sense of the word).· You should feel welcome
It's not all rock 'em sock 'em and it's not all sitting on a mountain in meditation for 30 years.
For more information about career opportunities in the martial arts, download my free e-book "9 Tips On How To Open Your Own Martial Arts School By A Teacher Who Has Been There, Done That" http://www.mashihan.com/acma_sq.htm. David Parks-Kennedy is a career martial artist (for more than 30 years with teacher ranking in Aikido) now living his dream in Mexico.
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