MA School Activities Outside of Studio/Dojang/Dojo etc.

[AnonymousOne]

We have a school X-Mas party every year and for me I attend instructors meetings

[markusan]

We have beach training days which is a mix of training followed by a barbecue lunch and a swim if its warm. We also have mountain camps twice a year in winter. Camping out, training during the day, then socialising round the campfire at night. Some of us take mountain bikes and do a bit of exploring. We also have a more formal camping weekend at a school camp with dormitory accommodation. We hire a couple of outdoor education instructors and break the weekend up into sessions. While we take some groups for ma training the outdoor ed instructors take groups for rock climbing, abseiling, rafting, ropes courses etc.

At night you have the choice of joining discussion groups or just socialisiing,playing cards, board games charades. the only rule is no television. We structure these activities for people like yourself who have training as their main focus, but also for people who want to get to know the people they train with. I think best asset you can have in mas specially as you head towards blackbelts is some great training partners with whom you can train hard but also have some laughs with. It's alll about balance.

[italian_guy]

We have social dinners sometimes and I usually go, I think it is good to familiarize with people you train with, It helps to create a friendly atmosphere in the dojo.

[elila]

Please everyone, don't worry about me. My original post sounded like a rant, so I edited it. I'd like to know if other schools did these types of events really- just to see if my school was odd or something.

The reason I say I can't get out of it is because I've gotten out of so many things already by giving excuses. My mother wants me to go, and that's final. And afterwards people I hardly ever talk to will just say, "Why didn't you come?"

The personal reasons were mentioned earlier. Then edited out. To my eyes - and I don't know if i'm interpreting it right - the main one was that the events in question, almost by definition, were not fun.

I suppose they're fun for normal people. Volleyball,soccer, swimming, eating, socializing.

But, I'm glad to hear that you all enjoy your outings, I suppose it is a good thing. When I see beginners after some picnic or party, they seem to be happy that they've made some close friend to spar with and are more relaxed in class, so I suppose there's a purpose for it at my school as well.

[JusticeZero]

I do NOT enjoy MY outings. Furthermore, this is a trait shared by something like 20%? of all people. It is an innate trait and your posts seem in my eyes to be dripping with the signs of it, which is why I asked if large gatherings of people left you tired.

Most people find large gatherings energizing, the rest find it to be fatiguing - the reverse also applies. Another question would be: Picture having the chance to campor stay at a cabin or something of the sort all by yourself with no-one around for a long weekend, with nothing you needed to worry about, no-one talking to you, no radio or anything else of the sort. To me, and several people I know, that sounds like bliss. To others, that sounds like a horrific nightmare. There seems to be little in the way of middle ground.

If you thought the solitude sounded good, that is a normal thing, and one which can cause a significant amount of stress and frustration if you don't recognize what that means; most people prefer the company and -cannot imagine anyone being different in that regard-.

I'd liken it to having a low-grade food allergy to wheat and living with people who like bread or noodles in every meal and are convinced that they are healthy AND, IN FACT, ARE THE CURE TO THE SYMPTOMS OF YOUR ALLERGY - unless you realize the bread and noodles are a different experience for you than everyone else at the table, you'll spend a lot of time feeling lousy and thinking it must be normal. Once you realize the effects noodles are having, you can start to work out how to arrange to eat meals healthy for -you-.

[fallen_milkman]

Not really too many out of class events. My sifu is also a musician though, and most of us usually make it out to see him play. He's pretty good, I love going and listening.

[scottnshelly]

Events outside the class are a great way to build friendships and bonds with your peers and superiors. I have learned a great deal of information from Instructors outside of class. That's when you see what a true Martial Artist is like outside of class. In class you learn about Martial Arts, outside of class you learn about Martial Artists.

If you feel uncomfortable going to events outside of class, don't go and be truthfull when you explain why you didn't go. No one will be mean to you about it if you are honest. (Honest is one of the positive characteristics that we learn in Martial Arts.)

As for me, I went to everything possible when invited, even if it was with another school. In fact, I feel the same way that you do about every social event that doesn't revolve around Martial Arts. If I'm around people that I know and respect, I have a great time.

One of the greatest memories I have of being an underbelt was at a week long Karate camp. I spent one whole night making my two Instructor's smores. I never even got to eat one, every time I made one, one of my Instructor's ate it.

[markusan]

what are smores?

[Kenpo man]

I am the same, an Introvert. I do not like gatherings of most any kind.

... But the other weekend my Sifu was holding a bachelor party for one of the black belts, and I was invited even though I did not really know any of them, nor my Sifu very well yet.

Well, I decided it would be best to go and meet these people outside of the Dojo, so I could bond with them in a different atmosphere.

IT WAS GREAT! I had a good time, and got to see these people and sifu at their most deviant, or worst way possible... By watching them (And them watching me) do things with some female strippers that I will not mention in this forum.

All I can say is WOOOO HOOOOO! It was a great time I will remember for the rest of my life.

[Kenpo man]

what are smores?

Smores are grahm crackers, chocolate, and marshmellows made into a sandwich.

You need to stick the marshmellows on a stick, then get them kinda gooey over an open fire (Microwave for you kiddies at home), then it on the grahm cracker with the thin chocolate bar on it already, then top it off with the other grahm cracker.

The reason they are called smores, is because when you eat one, you will want some-more (smore) of them.