Often posted theory.

[MasterPain]

That made me think of Andy Kaufman.

[DWx]

Nice topic Montana

Ok I actually think that both style and sensei are very important in making a good dojo but TBH if everyone could get both they would so I voted as if I had to choose just one.

I said sensei mainly for 2 reasons. Firstly to echo one of the previous points people have made: not everyone can teach. In fact some people suck at it and just cause problems for their students by teaching badly. A good teacher will not only teach you things in a way you can understand but will also inspire and motivate you in your training. TBH the main reason I stuck with TKD all these years is because I have a good teacher and through his lessons came to love the style. I have trained for a bit in the same style but with a different teacher (at the uni classes) but because I really didn't enjoy the lessons and because he wasn't a very good teacher (IMO) I quit training with him. Without good teachers the style itself would never last anyway because the sensei needs to first attract students and then educate them well so that they themselves can then go on and teach and further the style.

I also think that part of being a good teacher is to have faith in what you teach and to ensure that what you are teaching is worth your students' time, effort and money. Ok some people do have faith in their systems when to outsiders it looks like a load of junk, but I think a good teacher should be questioning whether what they are teaching is effective. A good teacher ought to be have confidence in what they are teaching and to me this means teaching an effective style and improving what they've been taught. People like Kano and Bruce Lee and the Gracies did just that. They took what worked well and modified things so they were effective and then taught it their students. Combine that with the ability to actually convey what you mean and help students understand and that, I think, is what makes a good teacher and a good dojo.

BTW I do agree with the comment that some systems (or schools) do suck. You see it a lot in TKD where some schools have such watered down rubbish where they spend their time prancing about doing aerial kicks instead of proper training. Or when people have taken 3 months training in this style and mixed it with 6 months of that style without having a greater understanding of either style's principles or methodologies.

[bushido_man96]

I voted for both. Perhaps that is the easy way out, but I think it is true, both the effectiveness of the system and the ability of the instructor are what will produce the best results for the students.

I do agree with Master Pain about the ability for styles to adapt and change somewhat as things change, like training methods, etc. In this case, its important for the instructor to recognize what is needed and is beneficial, and what may be just a fad, and not worth the time to invest in.