- The “Seikou”
Difference
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- NOT ALL MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS
ARE CREATED EQUAL!
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- There are a lot of different
approaches to teaching the martial arts. Some schools are very
secretive and you are not welcome to watch or even stay for your
child’s class! Are they building up the student or tearing them
down? What does our society need more of, tournament fighters
that can when trophies or respectful, motivated individuals with
honor and integrity?
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- Some schools are very strict and
ran like a military boot camp! You cannot talk in class, you can
never approach your instructor, and never ask questions. The
head instructor is not only unapproachable, but if you make a
mistake they have some very interesting ways of making you know
- none of which make you feel very good about yourself. They
believe that only the tough survive and teach students more
fighting skills than defense skills. Broken noses, arms, bloody
lips and black eyes are a sign of hard work instead of lack of
control and focus. Sure these schools are great for some, but
not for the majority.
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- Then there are the schools that
are more like a playground for the martial arts. Children are
playing more games than practicing their techniques. There is no
structure, no guidelines and a very relaxed and open atmosphere.
They promote students to new ranks and belts quickly in the hope
that the student will have short term gratification and keep
coming so mom and dad keep paying. Not to mention that you have
to pay each time you test regardless of passing or failing.
Students have fun and enjoy the class but they are being feed a
dose of false confidence in their abilities. You usually find
hard sells tactics and low quality in the upper rank students
since most students are just passed and promoted instead of
coached and guided.
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- Some instructors set up their
schools and make decisions on what is easiest for them, the
instructor, instead of what is best for the student! They teach
everyone at the same time! They teach all ages the same material
and techniques! How can you teach a 4 year old and an adult at
the same time? How can you give a child the attention they need
when you have adults in the same class? Why do they teach young
students advanced techniques that a child can not yet comprehend
or perform? Do they not realize that they are setting up all of
their students for failure?
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- Then there is us…
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- The foundation of Seikou lies in
the philosophy that we are all students. There are no egos found
here and everyone is shown respect and treated as if they were a
Black Belt. Students are encouraged to go at their own pace, but
are expected to give 110% effort. Students have an understanding
that they have to earn their belts and that someday, with hard
work and dedication, they will earn their Black Belt not buy
one!
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- We offer 4 different age groups
for our students and each with its own age appropriate
curriculum. Doing this results in more work, and more classes
for us to teach but the benefits are truly worth it. Our
students training is more focused on what that specific age
group needs. An example would be the 5 and under age group, the
Little Samurais. The Little Samurai’s learn basic martial arts
techniques but also good touch bad touch, stranger danger, what
to do if they get lost, and stop drop and roll, just to name
few.
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- Since the ages are broken down
it also gives the students a chance to build friendships with
their peers, and the pace of the class is in line with the
students learning level. The techniques are age appropriate as
well. We don’t teach a child how to do techniques that might be
better left for the adults. Children are not lost in the large
classes since our instructor to student ratio will never be more
than 8 to 1.
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- We understand that we have many
years to get a student to the Black Belt level. We don’t have to
make the requirements at the beginning so hard that it weeds out
the weak. We use a triangle to demonstrate how some schools have
their curriculums set up. There is to much at the beginning and
then once the student has been there for years and made it
through there is nothing more for them to learn!
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Black Belt curriculum (bore advanced students)
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Beginner curriculum (weed out the weak)
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- Our curriculums are the exact
opposite. A little at the beginning to ease the student into
training and then at Black Belt and beyond there is years of
advanced study.
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Black Belt curriculum (challenge advanced students)
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Beginner curriculum (ease into the martial arts and build
foundation)
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- Every class is taught with this
rule in mind: S.S.L (Smiling, Sweating, Learning)
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- Students in class should be
Smiling and enjoying their training and class time. Students
should be Sweating and getting an exercise to build
strong muscles. Lastly, students should be Learning the
techniques of the martial arts.
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- These 3 things together,
Smiling, Sweating, and Learning make for a great class and an
all around good investment of time and money. If the class is
fun and everyone is smiling, but you are not exercising or
learning anything - you have a playground. If the students are
working out hard, but no one is smiling or learning - you had a
workout. If all we are doing is talking about the techniques,
but no one is enjoying the process and getting a workout then we
would just be having a lecture. It is about balance. Watch class
for yourself and see if you can spot S.S.L. in action.
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- Since we are talking about our
way of teaching it is important to let you know our “Instructors
Creed” that all of our instructors teach by.
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“I will teach this class as if it is the most important class I
will ever teach!
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I am patient and enthusiastic!
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I lead by example!”
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- Classes are organized, planned
and structured. Instructors are friendly, motivated and
passionate about helping the students to reach their highest
levels of success through the martial arts. We believe that
leaders are made, they are not born and our goal is to guide and
assist our students to just that – leaders and role models.
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- We take great pride in our
martial arts program and will constantly strive to provide the
best possible service to the students and families involved. We
look forward to seeing you in class and someday earning your
Black Belt and Beyond!!
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- Sincerely,
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- Sensei
Doug Davis
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