Mrs. Miyagi's Maiden Voyage

Well, here goes: my first blog post as Mrs. Miyagi. Whatever the title of this blog may suggest, I do not imagine myself as any better or more enlightened than the next person. However, I do know how martial arts training has enhanced my own life and I teach others what I've learned in hopes that martial arts will improve theirs, too.

While I don't practice karate (I'm a Wing Chun stylist), I loved The Karate Kid. In fact, I constantly fight the temptation to use a Mr. Miyagi quote in class. I think often of the scene where Mr. Miyagi is teaching Daniel-san blocks on his boat, and Daniel-san asks, "When am I gonna learn how to punch?"

(Of course, Mr. Miyagi responds by rocking the boat and sending Daniel-san into the water, saying, "Learn how punch, after you learn how keep dry!" Those were the days.)

I get these kinds of questions from my students and their parents all the time. From parents of beginners: when will my kid learn the first form? A few months later: What about the second form? After a lesson on punching: When will I learn how to kick? And after a lesson on kicking: Well, what about stancework?

All very good questions, I must admit.

As a teacher, I like to know how long a student plans to train with me so I know how long I have to teach them. For example, given only one day with a fifteen year-old girl, I would skip to basic self-defense: kick the groin, jab the eyes, punch the throat, run away. Given one week with the same girl, I would cover more: proper punching form, defense against headlocks, basic kicks. Neither situation is ideal. Given at least three months, I can do so much better - I can cover both self-defense techniques AND more importantly, I can work on her self-confidence and focus to ensure that she can actually use her training should she ever need to.

I don't blame students or their parents for eagerness or impatience. It's natural to want to learn more, or to wonder what comes next. But as a teacher, I can see what they sometimes can't: I have a plan. Give me enough time, effort and respect and I will give you all the skills you need to achieve your goals both in and out of the kwoon (martial arts school).

As Mr. Miyagi said: "We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you promise learn."