Whole Armor Martial Arts Valpo

It happens to all instructors. You get that text/email/phone call from a student saying that they are quitting. It's hard. You feel bad for them and you start questioning how you could have done better as an instructor.

In my case it was last night. A family of four. Parents are stretched out with work and kid's activities. Missed classes, kids don't want to practice, etc. It happens. I was concerned when they started and told the dad about it. Dad was very interested but family didn't have the same enthusiasm. Kids are young.

This is a reminder that martial arts is not for everyone. It's not an "activity", a seasonal sport or for that matter, easy. It takes a special kind of person to make the commitment that it takes to pursue a lifelong learning and love for the arts. As an instructor I give 100% and hope that students meet me half way. You always get out what you put into it.

Individual kata practice tonight.

Koinonia 2026

During the Iaido seminar I was able to assist my instructor Vella Sensei as well as learn a new Kata.

During the Ba-Gua seminar at conference, Sifu Martin taught the circular motion of their style including circular sparring.

I was asked to run one of clinics this weekend for Shiho Karano Ryu at our annual conference Koinonia 2026. I touched on Ippon Kumite from basics to advance.

As an instructor sometimes you don't know how well students are understanding/listening to the concepts you are trying to teach. You go over techniques, explain specifics and use different tricks to get students to get the techniques right, etc. Sometimes it works and sometimes you have to modify things. I always try to see things from my students' point of view. The big question: Am I being understood?

Last night I asked my 5th kyus to teach the white belts some Ippon Kumite and Kata while I was teaching the rest of the class. While doing so I could overhear the students going over the fine points of the techniques using, in some cases, my exact words. Gratifying to see that they are listening and understanding. I guess I am doing some things right!