Teaching Styles

I was chatting  with a friend of mine who is a high level and highly respected yoga instructor. He had facilitated a workshop for yoga instructors to assess their teaching and knowledge skills. Each instructor taught a class, there were many different approaches as you can imagine. One instructor sat down, turned his back on the class, talked and demonstrated the whole class that way, both my friend and I thought that very strange and  not engaging to say the least. Another instructor  sat down and took class with everyone else, he was dripping with sweat , not very pleasing, and all about him. Neither instructor guided, corrected, or even saw the students for that matter. Another instructor was very knowledgeable and physically gifted, but lacked self confidence. My friend noted her self confidence had greatly improved from six months ago. This instructor walked around the class inspiring ,offering suggestions, and making corrections. My friend said her knowledge and approach was very much like his.
In Taekwondo, it is my opinion there are three basic kinds of instructors with different philosophy's on instruction. First the instructor that will demonstrate and explain once, then it's up to you to do the rest. Second the instructor that demonstrates, explains , and allows the student to explore and develop the techniques so that they fit their bodies. Third the instructor that does everything for you, tells you that's the way it's done, and gives the student no latitude to explore.
I am the second kind of instructor, I believe Taekwondo is about a life time of discovery and pursuit of personal excellence. It is my thought that instructors are more of a guide, they know you already have these abilities, it is their job to help the student become aware of these abilities, and to help nurture and encourage the students growth and understanding . Through this process I have have grown tremendously, and have become a better guide. It is very important to keep in mind , always a student first instructor second. I believe to forget that phrase is to become closed minded, thus blocking the ability to glimpse the true beauty and power of Taekwondo,Yoga, or any other discipline . When your cup starts to overflow, get another cup! What type of instructor are you?
Enjoy and explore the special gift you have been given!

Train Often,Train Hard, Breath Deeply

Yours in the Arts,      Sean.              PILSUNG  

      

Thanksgiving

So while it's true that Thanksgiving only comes but once a year,we should actually celebrate thanks each and every day. It's just a matter of living with a spirit of gratitude. I am grateful for my beautiful wife who supports me in all of my endeavors. I am thankful for my family and close friends. I am thankful I was blessed with the ability to help others. Oh so grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful and high energy places in the world. Gratitude Is A Continual Celebration Of Life. Focus on the goodness of your life. I believe gratefullness is the key to a happy life. YOU hold the key! Real life isn't perfect, it has it's up and downs. We can chose to focus on what we lack, or be very aware and grateful for all the things we do have. Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot - The Hausa of Nigeria.
Look around and take stock of all the things you have to be thankful of, I am sure you will find many.

Gratude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings -  William Arthur Ward

Sean and Mary and all of Sahn Taekwondo are wishing you and yours a warm and loving Thanksgiving !!!!!          

                                      PILSUNG

Half Full Or Half Empty

I was at the gym the other day, imagine that, and a friend asked me what my plans were, I told him, a good hour workout and stretch, then instruct class. He said do you have a second to chat,I said of course. The mention of Tkd class had him thinking of an old work associate. He said you are always upbeat and see the bright and positive side of things. With the look of query on my face I said yes. Well, my friend said, with this guy nothing seemed to be right or good enough. I'm pretty sure wev'e all know someone like that. My friend chuckled and said this guy went to a Judo class and came in to work the next day with a sore back and a sprained wrist. Apparently  a ten year old girl had thrown him unceremoniously to the mat. My friend said , that must have been a perfect throw for a ten year old . He responded she was a girl, I let her throw me,  and she got lucky. Oh by the way he quit!! On another occasion  my friend was taking sky diving lessons, the school was offering instructor assisted jumps for 20$ WOW!!  This mans response was" well I guess that puts me out of it", instead of saying that's an unbelievable deal,I hope a lot of people take advantage of this great price. I listened to my friend for about twenty minutes,we just laughed and said ,what a sad way to go through life!!

I think we all have moments when our situation seems half full, that's part of being human. Do your best to see the upside and know, more than likely it's a passing thing, you will survive, and life will return to an even keel. Know that you have a CHOICE in those life moments. CHOOSE to be HALF FULL not HALF EMPTY!!  No one likes to be around a DOWNER!

                      Always Yours,  Sean Cavins.         PILSUNG






No one likes to be around a DOWNER. Please DON'T BE THAT GUY!!  The week ahead looks great to me!! Enjoy, be Happy, and Grateful for what you have!!

         Yours Always,  Sean.                            PILSUNG

A Happy Life

A man hears what he wants to hear  and disregards the rest.(Simon and Garfunkle) Don't be this person. Don't allow yourself to get bogged down by the morass of the negative media blitz. Do your own in depth research, it is quite possible  you will gain a new insight, and have some fun at the same time! There are myths, misconceptions, half truths, and blatant out and out lies that are believed to be truth. This goes for politics, MartialArts and most other things. Be the person that is well informed, be a free thinker, don't put yourself  in a box! That is the hard path, but in the long haul the most rewarding. The more easy and highly traveled path will be less demanding , also less full filling .
It is my humble opinion, to enjoy life and all that it offers you must be well informed, so you are able to see all the options at your disposal , thus being able to make the best choice for that situation . Life is short, you owe it to yourself to make every day your best day!! Please understand that it is not anyone's  job to make you happy, you have to be happy within yourself. When you are happy other happy people will gravitate to you, what a sweet convection !! A little something to ponder.

        Train Hard, train Often, Feel Happy!             PILSUNG