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by cejames

“Some say that my teaching is nonsense. Others call it lofty but impractical. But to those who have looked inside themselves, this nonsense makes perfect sense. And to those who put it into practice, this loftiness has roots that go deep.” — Lao-Tzu

Let me start by saying that the following is not a hard and fast rule or list of what makes a good Sensei. These may be the traits one should have in part or as a whole to become a good Sensei. The true hallmark of a good Sensei is the results seen within their students especially after leaving the Dojo.

1. A good sensei must be a good learner. One who is always eager to learn new things, to expand their knowledge, and experiment with ways that will improve their success as a teacher.
2. A good sensei must have high expectations for him or herself and set high expectations for the students which results in a feeling of accomplishment. Students then become self-reliant.
3. A good sensei encourages the student and him/herself to take acceptable risks and to accept errors as a learning tool to progress.
4. A good sensei monitors the students progress. They remediate and differentiate as needed.
5. A good sensei encourages the student to look for help and answers on their own.
6. A good sensei has a deep understanding and knowledge of the style and have the ability to manipulate, simplify, and individualize so it is more easily understood. They are hard workers and have a passion for what they do and teach.
7. A good sensei keeps the students attention with out fear.
8. A good sensei can and does give quick and accurate assessments of the students practice.
9. A good sensei encourages a student to provide input and is a master of flexibility.
10. A good sensei has an array of methods to teach and learn. He or she offers a student a diverse array of avenues to pursue excellence within and without.
11. A good sensei has appropriate standards and habits that inspire students and are examples of a good practitioner. They understand what a student needs now and in the future.
12. A good sensei will keep the student slightly off balance so they are challenged. There is continuity and diversity in the class.
13. A good sensei is a good communicator. This is the ability to trigger learning.
14. A good sensei helps his/her students in all respects.
15. A good sensei is someone who can learn from his students, who can learn with them, and for them.
16. A good sensei is strict in a flexible sense and never asks of them what he/she is not living.
17. A good sensei answers all questions regardless.
18. A good sensei must be prepared to be foolish, especially if it will help the student attain wisdom.

As you can see a good sensei must be a lot yet not seem infallible. These traits and so much more are requisite to being a leader, mentor, guide, teacher, and Sensei to students.

By: cejames

Tenshin: An Okinawan term relating to the movement of the body in relation to an opponent by shifting away or into a persons space with a focus on the transition of the feet. A practitioner would use this as a part of their shifting from stance to stance in relation to the moment in combat while performing ma-ai as a result of shifting into or away from the opponent. Taught as a fundamental to the kata. Used to develop non-telegraphed, efficient, and rapid movement. Many students are first taught the different stances used within their style which are used in kata practice. Then they are taught how to move properly resulting in tenshin practice. This helps the student to develop proper movement along with body alignment, balance, hyoshi (tempo), ma-ai (distancing), and timing.

Tenshin is an intricate part of kata training, an intricate part of karate training. Coupled with Tensho, transition of hands, it provides a means to train thoroughly within kata which has significant applications for combat and kumite. Utilizing the tori/uke relationship in training a pair of students can practice distancing and stance transitions to get the “feel” for how it all relates to facing an opponent. The tori would make the first movement either into or away from the uke while the uke responds with an appropriate response in movement to take advantage of the move by tori for either defense or offense. The actual defensive/offensive technique is not performed since this drill is taught before kihon yet in later practice it will have the appropriate technique visualized during practice. As students progress this will naturally migrate into actually performing hand transitions along with foot transitions; tenshin and tensho practice. Tensho: An Okinawan term relating to the transition of the hands. This portion of training is added into tenshin after the student learns the te-no-bu or upper body techniques. This is then practiced solo with visualization until the student becomes fluid. Then students are paired off into tori and uke relationships to begin practice. The only difference between tenshin/tensho practice and yokusoku kumite is contact. The tori and uke will practice much like the above description of tenshin practice but with out actual contact. Once they are proficient in this form of practice then it is time to move into yokusoku kumite which is prearranged techniques with physical contact. This also occurs after leaning the Ashi-no-bu or foot techniques. In this practice tori and uke no longer move freely but use specified sets of techniques which come from the basics and kata practice. As you can see there are many transitional forms of practice that take the practitioner through the various stages that will result in free form combat techniques and kumite.