[bamboo]

What kind of relationship do you have with your teacher?

The greatly changing face of martial arts and the newly emerged "style" that is MMA (Yes, I do believe that its become a style unto itself but thats another discussion alltogether) do you think that the old school student-teacher relationship has changed or if its even applicible to todays standards?

I believe in the old system and find myself knee deep in it by having two very specific loyalties- One my sensei at my home dojo and two my sensei that I travel to learn from and whom will be grading me for now on.

With my teacher at my home dojo, we are very close- we share beer, he comes over for dinner, blah blah blah, and in return for this long forged relationship I enjoy a brutality unfelt by most on our mats as well as a both a freedom and an attention to detail that most simply do not recieve. Yes i do the crap paperwork and am always the one in early preparing for both mine and his classes, but we have an unspoken bond. No one gets to sensei without going through bamboo first. That includes stupid questions, new applicants and once in blue moon off the street jackhats.

With my teacher in the states, its very formal at the moment, I have only recently been accepted into the ranks of his students and still have a very "arms length" relationship. Exactly how I want it at this moment.

So, as addressed in the first line, whats your relationship with your teacher?
Do you really even have one?

Do you think its even applicible in this new age of martial arts?

I know some most likely find my hold on this aspect of tradition to be laughable- why?

Please be honest in your responses, I respect many of you and hold opposing views with logical resoning or simple gut feelings in high regard.

-bamboo

Teachers I believe are the most important thing in training along with the style itself. The teacher "makes" the style. I have always tried to forge a good relationship with my teachers. Pay them proper respects, train hard, and show him/her your "spirit" for training.

Sensei Russ and I have a good relationship. I have trained with him for quite a while and I believe I have earned his respect. We have spent time in and outside of class and I believe have become fairly close.

My Kyokushin teacher; Shihan Fujiwara and I have become closer as well. We have spent a lot of time outside of class talking (he lives in my neighborhood) and have become "friends" (as close as a teacher and student can be).

I think teachers become father figures in a way. I have always felt that kindof relationship with them.

The way I see it is that they are sharing your knowledge and experiences with you. You owe them hard training, dedication, and a deep respect.

[bamboo]

I think teachers become father figures in a way

Interesting you say that. Now that I've begun to teach a regular class and have a small contigent of "bamboo flavoured students" (those that favour my classes over the wife...fools, shes 10x better than me!) I've started to feel that "being looked up to" by the younger guys still in the teens or early 20s. I really don't feel comfortable about this but I think its almost part of the role if your in a fairly traditional dojo.

If anyone told me years ago that MAs had more to it than hurting people, I'd have thought they were crazy. Now though........


-bamboo

[dscott]

Since I'm in a small class of only 5, I'm fairly close with my instructor. We don't hang out outside of class but we've both been invited to things outside of class (though we haven't attended).

[lakan_sampu]

I and Grandmaster Presas are a little bit close now. He even introduces me to pretty girls in Arnis classes in PE in our university. He often treats us to lunch if we haven't eaten yet and he even personally asked me to take care of the dojo this coming July since he and most of our instructors will be going to Boracay for a month.
Yes, I think the old, close unspoken bond between teacher and student is still applicable nowadays. It works for me...

[zefff]

Damn! A teacher who sorts out the skirt is one man who demands respect!

[nbotary]

Hell yeah, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!

My first teacher was one of my roommates from college. We were really close as friends until he crossed the line at his graduation party. My wife and I had only been dating a year at the time, and while we were out at the bar, he went up behind her and tried to pull a Patrick Swayze dirty dancing move on her - thinking it was all fun of course. Word to the wise: No matter how hot you think your buddy's girl is, you don't go up behind her and grind your crotch into her! He continued to act like an ass the rest of the night. He apologized afterwards (the next day), but the damage had already been done. Long story short, it ended our friendship real quick.

My other two teachers and I, Sifu Jeff Bolt and my friend Michael Aronson, have a great relationship. I'm closer with Michael due to the fact that we met as classmates and became friends that way. I threw him his bachelor party and he took part in my bachelor party - Sifu Bolt attended both and went to Michaels nuptials. He was unable to attend mine due to the fact that he was in Moscow on business, but made sure that I had a good time during my bachelor party!!

[bamboo]

Do you guys use the "titles" when you address you teacher?

On the mat , its always "sensei" to my teacher, but I won't let the guys I teach call me that...I simply don't think I've earned it as of yet.

-bamboo

[nbotary]

Sifu Bolt doesn't formally go by title, but those of us who prefer to be traditional always call him Sifu. Everyone else calls him Jeff or Sifu.

My friend Michael doesn't go by a title as of yet... He said that when he finally opens his school it will be formal and traditional and I'll be happy to do it out of respect to him and to set an example for the other students.

[eagerdragon]

I have a great relationship with my Sifu (Master Saleem), but we draw a line between how much we interact outside of school. We have lunch or dinner together, but that's it. He really keeps it traditional. I have been training with him for over 10 years and never known where he lives. Titles are always used in our school in and outside of the school.