As a master, I no longer line up with the rest of the class when I am training at my instructor’s studio, Elmhurst Tang Soo Do. When I train there, I bow-in at the front with Master Michael and/or Master Holly Inoshita, and then I go to the back of the ranks to participate in class with everyone else. This can be a controversial topic. Some say that a master should train in the front to set an example, while others say that a master should train in the back since the class isn’t really meant for them and to allow the students the best ability to see the lessons being taught. I really see both sides, and I don’t have a strong opinion either way. I just go where I’m told!
As I was left to teach the Dan Students one night, I made sure to tell them not tot take training with one another for granted! It is a unique experience to bounce energy off of one another when striving to train at a very high level. While the colored belt students are excellent in their own way at their own levels, A 4th dan training amongst colored belts at the back and a 3rd dan training amongst other 3rd dans at the front provides two completely different energy dynamics. As the 4th dan in the back I am supplying the energy to the colored belts whereas when I was a 3rd dan, the energy was shared amongst all of us.
When I teach/train at Fighting Hawk Tang Soo Do at Illinois Tech, I make a point of sharing the teaching duties between the black belts that are present and I take the opportunity to stand amongst people that push me and share the energy with them. In particular I cherish any opportunity I get to train alongside my colleague Mr. Karl Hallsby. He came up under a different lineage but with the same passion for the art. He pushes me to have my best technique at every class by training next to him.
I certainly encourage all of my students once they get to a certain rank, to take time outside of class to train with each other in groups, hold each other accountable, and feed off of each other. When they take this advice seriously, I see my students accelerate their growth not only in technique but also in comradery!
Who holds you accountable in your training? I strongly recommend that you find a group of people at your studio that you can train with and share the energy with in class. You will grow together in ways that you never would have by yourself, and in taking part in this training experience you will grow to know each other in a very personal way.
