CROSSROADS!!!

[cheeks]

the first thing is that you need to talk to your teacher about this, either before or after the session when you have time to go into some depth...

dont worry this sort of crossroads afects many Martial Artists, when they are unsure of the next step.

i have also been in a similer situiation to you, being one of the higher ranks means you will be teaching more and 'learning less' i talked to my teacher and we decided that me and another brown belt would take it in turns to help teach and change it around each week...

i'll echo what everyone else has said, if you are not enjoying it, if you feel you are being held back, then look elsewhere. if you are not happy inside, you will not be able to focus on your Tai Chi

[Adonis]

all this advice is really good aspecially shotochem's advice.

set some goals wand write them down what you want out of your training. from what you said you like the soft relaxed style of tai chi but seems from what you wrote it doesn't meet your self defense goals. That is something you need to talk to your teacher about and ask him how to apply the moves to self defense. weather what he shows fits your idea of self defense and works for you. Use common sense!

biggest thing is talk to your instructor about your concerns with tact and respect. If he is offended or gives youa answers that you don't like and fit your goals and he doesn't work with you. I highly suggest you go some where else.

There is other places to train at.

Its a hard decision because your not sure what else is out there and you already been training in this style for awhile but you got to do whats best for your self.

Me personally I can see the instructors point of view as not going else where for several reasons I think why instructors do this.

1. as ninja nurse proclaim culturaly.

2. afraid of loosing a student and that income a student brings in.

3. doesn't feel the student should do that but stay pure to the art he choose as well as the fact if you bounce around to much styles and instructors you don't get good at what is being taught.

4. some go to other schools and don't like what the old isntructor teaches comes up with annoying questions and also practice or teaches these methods to other students of his/her instructor and says its better. this disrespects the instructor as a teacher and draws students away from him and creates problems in the school.

Not always though depends. I like what one of the posters said about he lets his students go to other schools as well to learn.

basically you have a right to go train where ever you please. Your instructor has the right to refuse teaching you if you do this because he doesn't like that. You can train at that school and all you want and other places and not tell him. for fear of getting being dissmissed. You can do that also if you choose. I wouldn't though cause maybe eventually he might find out and then ask you to leave, and I would resent him any way of the altamtium he gave you of not training else where or be dismissed.

Honestly talk to your instructor about all this. If your not satifyed with the outcome after you talk to him. Go some where else, Not worth it IMO to stay where your not happy and concent with your training. You have goals as to why you did the martial arts and goals now as to what you want so persue those goals with a good instructor that is willing to work with you.

Good luck on the out come of what ever decision you make. I hope you find the training your looking for.

[Sam]

Might be interested to respectfully ask him why you cant train elsewhere- the answer will probably tell you a lot, even if its not a rela answer to teh question.