Dojo Politics

[Juniper]

Lately I find myself very distressed in regards to the Tai Chi program at my school. I was wondering if other people have experienced a similar situation that I see happening and how they handled it. My school has both day and evening classes for Tai Chi -- which is nice because I can't get to the evening classes that often. But, the daytime program has been under fire lately -- some of the advanced students have been putting down the daytime classes saying that we pretty much "suck." I've seen their tai chi, and frankly, they're not much better than we are. Now, the day time teacher is under fire because of the campaigning. I love my daytime teacher -- he's wonderful and has some of the most awesome Tai chi I've seen anyone do. He gave up a lot of things in his life to devote himself to the art and it is very painful for me to see this happen to him.

 

I have gotten to the point that all the backbiting and back stabbing has made it so that I hate coming at all. I am angry at the other senior students who think their form is purer, etc. I am on the brink of leaving the Tai Chi program and just practice kung fu. I have tried to come to class, but lately feel very disgusted and distracted and would rather practice on my own.

 

Should I stick it out and continue to come to class and continue to bite my tongue, or should I just practice on my own until harmony and peace are restored? I don't dare say anything to anyone around the dojo about this -- I am in fear of getting blasted by senior students. I said something a year ago when this campaigning got started, and got subsequently accosted in the parking lot. This whole thing makes me wonder if it is really worth it anymore.

[Harmony]

Is there not a chief instructor? Someone needs to get a handle on those senior students. If this is their typical behavior, they have missed something in there training. If the main school administrator is oblivious to this problem, I would suggest bringing it to his/her attention, or perhaps suggesting to your daytime teacher that he consider developing his own school.

[cathal]

How old are these students saying that the class "sucks"? How experienced are they? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, however if they are truly intent on just defaming the instructor it is moot and your head instructor should be made aware. But you must also allow him/her to get both sides of the story.

[Krazy Carol]

Is there not a chief instructor? Someone needs to get a handle on those senior students. If this is their typical behavior, they have missed something in there training. If the main school administrator is oblivious to this problem, I would suggest bringing it to his/her attention, or perhaps suggesting to your daytime teacher that he consider developing his own school.

 

Perhaps a chat with the head instructor.

 

I totally agree, if this is the way the school is run I wouldn't want to be there.

[June1]

Say something.

 

Obviously, these so-called "senior" students do not understand their martial art at all. Where's the peace? Where's the understanding? How dare they accost you in the parking lot? That makes me sick. Frankly, I feel bad for people like that. One can only hope that something clicks in their heads and they learn to follow a better path.

 

Good luck, Juniper!

[pineapple]

I love my daytime teacher -- he's wonderful and has some of the most awesome Tai chi I've seen anyone do.

 

If you love your teacher, stick with him because you are training to please yourself, not to please others.

 

Remember that no matter where you train or who you train with, there's going to be somebody who is going to criticize what you're doing.

 

I ignore people who talk bad about what I do because I selected what I wanted to do and it doesn't matter if others don't like it.

[Juniper]

Thank you all for your responses to my dilemma. I am planning to speak to the head instructor about this sometime in the next week. I certainly agree that the senior students have lost the essence of what it truly means to practice martial arts -- especially in Tai Chi where it is supposed to be a tool to find peace and harmony within one's self, and I haven't been seeing that expressed on the mats lately. I thought the purpose of practicing was to transcend the ego. I don't know what's gotten into those people.

 

I've been figuring out how to change the profile I've set up for this list -- I am actually a green sash in kung fu and have been practicing both Tai Chi and Kung Fu for about five years. I am a part of the Advanced Students and practice with them for the one Advanced student class that is offered, so, needless to say, this recent turn of events has me very upset. What's happened now is that one of the Advanced Students has taken over two of the daytime classes. I don't know why the head teacher is allowing this to happen. I am certainly going to stick by the man who has been teaching the day classes all along. He's an excellent role model -- but I can tell he is upset too even though he may not say much about it.

 

Being that I've never practiced anywhere else before, I posted this because I was wondering if stuff like this happened in other dojos and wondered what to do about it.

 

thank you again for your responses -- I feel much better. If anyone has anything to add, I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

Peace and Blessings to you all -- Juniper

 

p.s. ironically, these people are supposedly grown ups ranging in age from mid-40's to early 50's. Not very mature, I suppose.

[cathal]

Please let us know what happens.

[Lady Kitana]

don't give up something you love because of a bunch of immature people , if they were any kind of avanced students they should supporting your class not putting you guys down. I admire how you stand by your teacher and how your are dealing with this situtation shows me ( and I am shure people will agree ) that you are better then they are , which makes you a true martial artist at heart and that is most important

[Muaythaiboxer]

why not say something to them? if you dont want to start conflict then dont be rude just ask nicely for them to stop.