Talkative karate friends vs learning karate!

[P.A.L]

I have the same problem with my shorin sensei and others in class ,they talk too much ,sometimes I start to work out may be they stop but it seems they don't get it, just keep chating right at the middle of time, and sensei, he is the worst of them.

 

on the other hand in sensei Darell Craig dojo , he is even sensetive about the way we stand, and I love it, we can give some short funy comments during the class but that's about it.

[47MartialMan]

So in essence, it depends on the level of intolerence per the instructor?

[Shorin Ryuu]

In all the dojo I have trained in (save one) the teachers were pretty relaxed in terms of humor and all that. If we were doing kata or something, then attention should be paid to what we are doing, but in between things, our teachers would often tell us stories or joke with us if we messed up or something like that.

 

This isn't to say that they did not require discipline when it was needed. On the contrary, sometimes mental and physical discipline was requested rather harshly of us, so to speak, in some of our more grueling sessions.

 

However, I think the more rigid discipline (standing at strict attention) is counter-productive, as martial arts is supposed to be a relaxed activity, not anything tense. The training was conducted as such. It was not uncommon for me to be taken out to dinner by some instructors or just sit and chat with others outside of class just for the company as opposed to strict learning. This is closer to traditional Okinawan training, at any rate, where the teacher would cause the students to sweat it out and then later share dinner.

 

In other words, there is a difference between being tense and being disciplined. There is also a difference between being disciplined and being severe.

[47MartialMan]

In other words, there is a difference between being tense and being disciplined. There is also a difference between being disciplined and being severe.

 

I agree. Well put

[angelica d]

Thanks for all the input guys, I think that next time this happens I'll just have to tell her that I don't think sensei appreciates this.

 

He does tell everyone to be quiet, as a class, but she starts talking again after a couple of minutes! But its not just me, its everyone she talks to. But because we're the only girls we often get partnered together. I don't really want to let things get to the stage where I have to complain to him, as he's my future father-in-law and we're quite close, I think it could become a messy conflict.

 

But you're all right, its compromising my own training, ruining class concentration, and making me frustrated with her, when really she's a good friend.

 

Cheers for helping me decide what to do guys! Anyone else had an experience like this?

[cvkid]

As her friend you are the closest person in the dojo to this person,I think it's kinda your responsibility as a friend to address this.Just be yielding in the beginning,it could be taken the wrong way.If this doesn't work,then I'd talk with a higher rank,but not the instructor.It should be taken care of at this point.

[italian_guy]

In all the dojo I have trained in (save one) the teachers were pretty relaxed in terms of humor and all that. If we were doing kata or something, then attention should be paid to what we are doing, but in between things, our teachers would often tell us stories or joke with us if we messed up or something like that.

 

This isn't to say that they did not require discipline when it was needed. On the contrary, sometimes mental and physical discipline was requested rather harshly of us, so to speak, in some of our more grueling sessions.

 

However, I think the more rigid discipline (standing at strict attention) is counter-productive, as martial arts is supposed to be a relaxed activity, not anything tense. The training was conducted as such. It was not uncommon for me to be taken out to dinner by some instructors or just sit and chat with others outside of class just for the company as opposed to strict learning. This is closer to traditional Okinawan training, at any rate, where the teacher would cause the students to sweat it out and then later share dinner.

 

In other words, there is a difference between being tense and being disciplined. There is also a difference between being disciplined and being severe.

 

No I do not agree with that, if you train seriously there is not much space for telling jokes or talk too much one another. If sometimes a joke comes out it is not the end of the world but it should be really occasional.

 

You are there to learn and concentrate not too chat about whatever comes to your mind.

 

Outside the dojo you can go for a pizza with your sensei every night and relax but inside training and stay focused should be the rule

[Shane]

All dojos are different, some allow joking and some talking while others allow none of that. But if the joking or talking is done in a disrespectable manner or at a time where it is disrespect then it is wrong in any training environment. My classes are very intense and serious but in a relaxed environment where most talking can be allowed and I encourage martial art related discussions among my student as long as the time is right. But I do not allow people to get carried away to where it would effect others training in anyway. We go to training to train, for those who only want to B.S. they can report to the coffee shop across the street for all I care because we dont have time for just that.

 

So yes talk to your friend, and if that does not work go to the instructor and let them know that its becoming a problem and you feel its getting in the way of your training.

 

GOOD LUCK

[Shorin Ryuu]

Just to clarify, as I said, it is the instructor joking with us or talking with us, not just us off on the side blowing the instructor off.

 

But, different philosophies for different teachers. I never said we didn't work hard, but like I said, there is a difference between being severe and working hard.

[White Warlock]

angelica d, yes... i've experienced this on occasion, while as a student and as the instructor. When wearing the hat of the instructor, i handled it in much the manner i described in my earlier post here. When wearing the hat of the student, I generally handled it directly... speaking to the person in a friendly and most respectful manner. Each incident required different tactics, due to the nature of the relationship, or the severity of the problem. In a case similar to yours, where i was dealing with an ADD friend, i basically said, "dude, i need you to shut-up. You're not letting me focus and i might accidently slip and hit you a few times... and then kick you... and stomp you... and roll you over... and then choke you."

 

Of course he laughed, but i got his attention... and getting him to shutup and be serious after that was a breeze. My magic word to him became, "focus" and he would switch into study mode.