As a martial arts student in the art of American Kenpo, I am grateful to have learned from some of the best martial artists in the World. Without my present and past instructors, I wouldn’t be where I am today in the World or in the martial arts and wanted to take a moment to thank them.
As a martial arts instructor, I continue the long line of tradition passing on what has been handed down to me to my students. Hopefully some day you pick up the torch and help teach it to the next generation.
Passing on ones knowledge is profoundly rewarding. It can teach you a lot about the art, what you know and what you need to better understand. For me, it has also taught me to always remain humble, to share freely, and to never hold back on my students. I always strive for better methods of communicating and teaching the art and not just doing things a certain way just because that was how I learned it. If there is a better, more efficient way, I will opt for it every time.
Teaching the martial arts also connects us with history and the martial artists of the past. Without this process taking place, we wouldn’t have an art to teach. Mr. Parker would’ve never learned from Mr. Chow. Mr. Mills wouldn’t never have learned from Mr. Parker. And I would never have learned from Mr. Mills. You, in turn, would never have learned it from me.
Strive to become a teacher at the studio. Help share what you have learned and pass on the art so that the art lives forever. Its far too precious to let go.
About Ryan
I searched 7 years after my discharge from the service for a martial art that I felt had what I was looking for. I took finding just the right art very seriously. I started my time here with the rest of you at Arrowhead Kenpo because I believed I had found not just the art I was looking for but the instructor as well. We have a team of extraordinary individuals/martial artists teaching us. I am thankful to all of those who, like Mr. Wheaton said, passed this art down to us through history. The torch was lit in the past but is our responsibility to pass it on. If we don’t it dies with us. I have full confidence with those in our class that the torch will never die.
I don’t have the experience of dealing with other martial arts instructors or systems, but would have to whole-heartedly agree with Joe. The instruction at the hands of Mr. Wheaton and the other instructors is incredible. I’ve had to be away for over a year now thanks to a conflicting schedule, and it is killing me. I’m certain I would have a hard time attending any other studio because of the caliber of instruction I have received from Mr. Gough, Mr. Thompsen, and Mr. Wheaton.
Martial Arts has become a thriving passion of mine. I have thought of becoming a teacher one day, but for now i must give my thanks to the instructors we have at a.m.a.s. I belive they are the best out there, and even if they can’t tell, they have taught me a great deal. One of the most important things i have recived from them, is the desire to be good at what we do. That has led me to a great passion about the art. If only my skills could catch up to my passion. I would love to stand among them as a instructor one day.
I cannot say thanks enough to those who worked with me as I came up through the ranks and my new friends who work with me today. Though I am relatively new to AMAS the spirit of the AKKI is the same! True gentlemen who teach me to work with an opponent who is larger than I am is invaluable to me! For those reading this that may not know me, I’m slightly less than five feet tall. The chances of my opponent being larger than me in a self defense situation are pretty good! For those who teach and allow me to put a little more behind my strikes so that I may learn – Thank You!
Thank you to all my AKKI friends and teachers!