Chapter 1 of the NAMAE Training Book

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Posted by Ex-II on February 15, 2003 at 09:06:02:

In Reply to: NAMAE? posted by And the POINT IS? on February 14, 2003 at 18:02:52:

Here is the first chapter of the NAMAE book. If you remember the time period there was very bad national publicity on the moo. Instructors when Kim was around had no control or responsibility to what was said or done yet had to pay the price. Instructors like Tom stepped forward to put things in his name so that if there was any missunderstanding he would own up to it.

Chapter #1
One view of being an Instructor

This chapter is purely this editor’s opinion on this subject, It has no direct bearing on this test or what being a martial arts instructor may mean to you. This chapter is supposed to elicit thought on the points included. I, in no way want to sway you to one view or another, I hope that you read, think, and form your own opinion. If you disagree with me, great, if you agree, great however that will be more boring in a conversation. We can all agree however, that being a martial arts instructor is the absolute best way to live this life.

In this age of non-stop input: more,more,more, never ending input, 3 second cuts on television to keep our interest, it is no wonder we sometimes focus on more movement instead of perfecting that which we already have. The martial arts perfection aspect means to practice the same movements over and over and over again until they are the art form. They are the “enlightenment” tools we need. We do not need some mystical movements to attain our goals. We need only to perfect that which we have already been given. The physical qualities that we develop should pale in comparison to the mental qualities. Is this true for you? Do you exhibit the patience, control, discipline, and compassion that you envision your “master” to have? If not, then spend more time developing not looking for more. In reading martial arts historical accounts it seems that many great teachers came from the past with only a few movements. Who stands up today to match the ability of the “historical ones”? I am sure the ones that are standing do not sit around looking for more. I believe they are doing, and living what they already have. The harder you try the longer it takes. All you will ever need is already inside of you. Guides can show you how to find the tools you are looking for but you need not be given anything special to find it, but direction. In this day and age the best “direction” we can be given is to slow down and have patience.

As the owner of several martial arts schools I ask myself a marketing question on a regular basis, “am I a K-mart or a Sacs”? If I find myself asking questions to my serious students like “how did you enjoy your lesson? Instead of what did you learn today? Then I have my answer. We as martial artists can have a balance between training the “fanatical” student and the “casual” practitioner. If we lean too much one way or the other one side will not recognize us for what we teach. I attempt to balance. However, if given no alternative or if a question of which way to go I will err on the side of the “fanatical”. Lessons should be just bearable. There may be a high turnover. We teach Moo Doe, the most prized training on the planet. It is not for everyone and many will not understand. Just ask yourself, are you a K-mart or a Sacs?

In my opinion, the relationships we develop are the true foundation of our training. The best physical training and the most interesting conversation will not make up for a poor relationship with those around you. I have never been treated in a business manner during my training. Some students need to be trained in a strict Moo Doe fashion, some need to be treated like business, and some like a brother. Your “job” as an instructor is to determine how you treat whom. “When to do and when not to do.” You will sink or swim based on your judgement. I feel it is better to try my best to teach people as much as possible and risk the finger pointing that may arise than to settle for Moo Doe “lite”. Being a teacher is a risky ‘business”. If you do not want the sour do not expect to get the sweet. By breaking traditional teaching methods you are risking the entire martial arts. Attorneys will tell you that the devil is in the details. I believe that goodness lives there to. Small things add up, but remove the wrong small thing and you may be left with nothing.

Most of the students of martial arts forget about the most important aspect of training, going out for coffee with their training partners and Instructors. We are so busy inside ourselves it is easy to lose perspective and balance. We train to enhance our lives not remove ourselves from life. Getting “stuck” is a natural part of training the best cure is to relax, no amount of effort will pull you out, only time and relaxation. Getting excited is natural, getting depressed is natural, getting frustrated, pumped, lost, all natural. Why then do we lose our way when this happens. Our original reason for training is just as valid yesterday as it is today and will still be tomorrow. Our mind is what changes and takes us down different paths, it looks for the easy way, not the best way, that is natural. If we strive to understand our nature we can see these things coming and go through them with a steady course. It is only natural.


I signed on as a martial arts instructor to focus on teaching. Much of my focused and perceived success switched and was based on how many schools and how many students I had. Did I drive a nice car, have a fancy watch, and lots of material. I do not want to be a monk, but I think that there also is a foundation of mind and body needed before one can build up the other aspects of life. I remember watching men spinning plates on sticks as a youngster, I now know how important of a lesson this is. If we as instructors focus too much of our time on the business of teaching and not the actual teaching we will fail. If we focus on the external before the internal can handle it we will fail. Martial arts are about sacrifice, determination, patience, and earning opportunities. This country’s culture does not teach these things, we need to keep ourselves in check before we destroy the very thing we talk about teaching. Martial arts are not about building up material, it can lead to that if done right, but it is not the focus. First things first, mind—body—then harmony.

An average martial arts student nowadays would not even consider cleaning the toilets in the schools, doing extra projects, training 7 days a week, or devoting a lot of extra time to the cause. This is O.K. We need to maintain a small group of “fanatics” who will train the way we did because they are tigers, and tigers do what tigers do. We also need the casual practitioners and the once a weekers because martial arts helps them in their lives as well. Each person determines what is their success, we do not determine that for them. If we limit ourselves to a small segment of society then we will have shut out many people who need us. In time those casual practitioners and the once a weekers may turn to be more hard core. After all if you can truly practice while having coffee, washing the car, working, etc. then just because they are not in the training room 7 days a week does not mean they are not training. Raising a family, running a business, etc. can all be training, the mental attitude behind the acting is one of the keys. Do not think I am advocating less physical movement, I am not, and just keep things in perspective. As a beginning student I heard one of my fellow students constantly remark that his family would not complain when he went out to the bars drinking 3 nights a week, however, when he started training in martial arts 3 times a week, suddenly this was a problem. Anytime we try to step forward someone or something tries to pull us back. Do not forget that, remember that when speaking to students and evaluating their seriousness.


Lets say two people are going down a roller coaster, one has a great time the other feels that it was terrible, same experience same time everything is the same. Not true, their reality is different because their outlook or perception is different. If you want to change your reality to be more positive, simply change your outlook or perspective. Everything has good and bad in it if you look for the good you will find it, if you look for the bad you will find it too. Even air has many negatives in it but we do not walk around holding our breath. Good and bad are all relative, things are what they are, and you determine the rest.

Every human being wants recognition and respect in their lives. Recognition and respect is not earned through anything that you do for yourself, but through what you do to improve the lives of others. It’s easy to say that we would like to help others, but how many people have the opportunity to truly help someone and directly benefit them mentally and physically. If a teacher shows a student how to improve some aspects of his life, then that student will remember his teacher with admiration and respect always. Everyone wants the recognition of others. Teaching an Instructor can find unlimited recognition. I think this is one of the most rewarding challenges of a lifetime and a path to living a meaningful life.

Top 5 attributes of an Instructor
1. Disciplined (strict) & fair
2. Lead through example
3. Self confidence
4. Be a motivator
5. Be aware of the reactions of those around you


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