REAL Sensei Stories.

[Kensai]

We all know the stories of the great masters. But what about YOUR Sensei.

 

Yesterday I was down the pub with my fellow Aikidoka, and just generally talking about Sensei. After listening to some of his stories I was completely amazed.

 

So what stories do you have about your Sensei?

 

Take Care

[monkeygirl]

Hmmm....my "sensei" has lots of stories about his childhood. I have a few stories about him (both good and bad ) from teaching and how he's helped me or the goofy things he does. My instructor is a cross between the wise sensei (caring, kind, helpful and patient) and your Uncle George ("What's that on your shirt?" *flips your nose* "haha!"). The outcome is that he's like a father to his students (especially to his leadership team). He's still an excellent martial artist and a wonderful teacher, but I guess he just doesn't see the point in being stuffy.

 

However, this is not true for blackbelt tests. He transforms into another person; completely serious and critical, and completely scaring the crud out of us (well, me anyway). He doesn't scream at us or anything, but it's really freakin me out. But then again, everything's freaking me out during my blackbelt test *scared*

[hobbitbob]

My TKD instructor, Pham, Phouc Ky, is one of the most remarkable human beings I've ever met. He was one of the few members of his family to receive an education, and speaks French and English, along with Vietnamese. He was a major in the Vietnamese Army Special operations units, and then became a High School teacher. After the fall of the Southern government, when he was imprisoned for several years, and escaped, becoming one of the so-called "boat people." He made his way to the US in teh 1970's, Married, raised a family, and has three sons, two are physicians, one owns an import-export business. He works as a machinist for a local manufatucing company. He bagan teaching TKD at UMBC in 1985, when his eldest son was a freshman. He continues teaching, twice a week, for free, and will probably continue until he dies.

 

He learned his family's vietnamese Kung Fu style from his father, adn learned TKD in the army. He was one of a group sent to Korea to learn TKD in a nine month course. they trainied quite hard, "Punch ahrd, kick hard," he says. About one third of the group passed, he says. At 63 he trains by himself each morning for two hours before breakfast and going to work , "otherwise, it will all be gone (snap of fingers) just like that," he says.

 

He pushes his class hard, and words of praise are few and far between (the highest praise is a smile and a loud "yes!"). He stresses the importance of good basics "Without basics, your Taekwondo for nothing!" he always says.

 

Despite his stern personality on teh Dojo floor, he is always interested in his students lives and their wellbeing. When I tested this June for 1st dan, I was quite poor. This kind caring person paid for my Kukiwon testing fees ouot of his own pocket (I haev since re-imbursed him)!

 

He is a true example of the word "sensei", which may be translated as "one who goes before," or "life model."

[sk0t]

My Instructor is also an amazing man. He got his black belt at 10 during a time when kids didnt get their Black Belts very often, and he has been on a path for knowledge ever since...

 

He has acquire instructor rank from Burton Richardson in his JKD Concepts, he is a full instructor of Wing Chun under Francis Fong, he is a 5th dan Kukkiwon TKD from Edward Sell, and he is a Combat Hapkido Master under GM Pellegrini, along with rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and others...he has traveled extensively to train with various martial arts, and he is always on a path for righteousness...

 

he has changed my life, and will continue to change others, I hope that someday I am half that man that he is!

[Kensai]

Thats pretty impressive.

 

I think in thour case's we can consider ourselves pretty lucky.

 

I think I can can say with confidence that my Sensei is one of the best in the world. Most likely the best outside Japan. And he has so many stories.

 

You see my Sensei, as in the one that teachs me is an 8th Dan and she is really amazing. Her husband (Sensei K. Williams) is ungradable, as there is no one alive that can grade him. Still practicing at 73, he is really wow. I would like to think of him as a proper Sensei, in that he trained 10 hours a day for 40 years, with a Sensei that was taught of O Sensei Ueshiba.

 

As some people know, Aikidoka dont fight, not really. Or atleast we should'nt. However when I was talking to people, I found out that after an Aikido demonsation, at a golf club in Scotland, 17 men attacked my Sensei. He cant actually remember what he did, but he took at 17 down. At this point my chin was on the floor with amazement.

 

My Sensei (Sensei Margret), has the most amazing balance, sitting on a chair with only 2 legs on the ground, and 2 men cant push her back.

 

But perhaps in is not that they can do these things that impress's me. It is the people they are, always seeking to improve, and teach.

 

Pass on what they have.

 

Take Care