5 Easy Ways to Learn in Class!
Having attended many martial arts classes over the past three decades, I have learned that the learning process can be hindered in various ways.
It took me a while but, over time, I developed a list of 5 easy ways to learn in class. Here they are!
1. Leave the distractions behind: Too often, I see students distracted by thoughts drifting outside of class. It may concern work, school, or family. Distractions hinder the opportunity to enjoy the class and a couple of hours free of work and family distractions.
When you walk in the door, leave the distractions outside. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
2. Pay attention: This goes hand in hand with the above. Nothing is more frustrating to a student whose partner ignored an instructor’s demonstration. Time is wasted explaining or demonstrating the technique to an inattentive student. Everybody benefits when everyone pays attention to the instructor.
If you are not able to view this video, click here.
What am I teaching in this video?
3. Go slow: When learning a new technique, it does not matter if you are a beginner or an advanced student. Take your time. Focus on learning the correct movement and the principles behind it. The speed and power will come later. Learn it. Absorb it. Know it. The late Professor Remy A. Presas used to say, “Slow is the mother of skill.”
4. Teach the juniors: This is an opportunity to hone your teaching skills and help your junior partner grasp the practiced technique. Focus on the teaching, and you’ll teach your partner and yourself. This is not the time to show the junior how much you know or bully them. Do you want to become a more technically proficient martial artist or even an instructor? Start with teaching your partner. Others may disagree with this approach.
Trust me; you’ll learn much more from teaching than being a passive student.
5. Focus on the technique being taught: How often have you seen a student focus more on the “extra” technique than on the technique being taught? For example, they may throw in some flashy stick twirls after a less-than-stellar stick disarm. They are often sacrificing the quality of the primary technique (stick disarm) in favour of showing others how cool the “extra” technique (flashy stick twirls) is. If you are doing this, you may be hindering your progress. Focusing on the technique taught will often ensure that you have good-quality techniques.
Bonus tip: Focus on progression instead of perfection. Aim for 1% improvement every day. This approach has amazing cumulative effects.
Over to you, do you have other tips to maximize the learning experience in class? Spill your secrets!
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