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