Trust

[Joseph Bronson]

I am a Sifu (also certified as an expert level Guru in the Indonesian Martial Arts). Sifu or Guru both mean basically the same thing - Teacher. 

One person teaching another person some kind of activity or skill is our basic concept of a teacher. But this leaves a great deal of leeway in terms of the quality of the lessons being given and received. 

When people move away from our area (relocating for job or school) they ask if there is someone that I would recommend for them to continue studying the martial arts with. My answer is always the same. "When looking for a teacher the most important thing to look for is how the teacher interacts with the students. The next thing to observe is how the students interact with each other. Then, third on the list, what is the material that is being taught and why? All schools have different training processes and philosophies. You need to make sure that the content of the training is what you are interested in". Now to determine a good program and a good teacher may take a little bit of time and analysis. But the effort will have been worth it because you will, most likely, have made the best choice possible for your future growth.

Once you have made your choice it is time to put your trust in the teacher (Sifu - Guru - Sensei etc.) that you are studying with. If you do not follow your teachers instructions then you will most likely fail. After all, they are the teacher and you are the student. A good teacher will never lead you down the wrong road. (This is why you should spend the time to make sure that you are signing up with a good teacher.) So, once the teacher has accepted you as a student it is important to follow your teachers instructions. A good teacher only has your eventual success in mind as they guide you down the path to becoming skilled.

With all of this having been said. Let us not forget that I am YOUR Sifu. Just because there are no physical classes right now does not mean that I do not (still) have your best interest at heart. 

Your success is my reward!

I am a Sifu of the old school. I actually want my students to become better than me. There is no glory in not giving a student my best. There is also no glory in not giving your Sifu your best.

To that end. How many of you have followed along with the workouts that I have sent out? Or, read and contemplated the philosophical material that you have received? If you are not working on the things that I ask then you are not keeping your end of the bargain towards becoming successful at your Kung Fu studies. If you are on track. Awesome. If you are not on track then this a reminder that we have a pact, you and I, to get you to a high level of success in your Kung Fu studies. I will do my part as your Sifu but you must do your part also.

Until we can meet again in the physical class room it is important that you take these video tutorials, blog posts and written workout seriously. When we get to start our classes up again (soon I am sure) I hope to see all of you more skilled than when we last saw each other.

I will be bring you a new workout schedule on Monday. Until then do more stretching and come up with your own workout routine for the weekend. Watch these tutorials and practice or contemplate what is being taught.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r_jtaNZMyM&t=2s

Put this out six years ago and it is more important now than when I put it our originally.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd0JZw-0Kv8

Now grab a willing partner and work on this one. When you come back to class I would like you to share some of your insights with me on your explorations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prZ84bI2qrg

Yours in the arts,

Sifu Joseph Bronson