Lesson: Teaching by Example

At this past Monday's practice, I've learned a valuable lesson from Kendo:  teach others by being an example.

1.  Lesson from Jerry B. and Yamaguchi Sensei

I did Keiko w/ Jerry B., and I played horribly (my Kendo was bad, I couldn't even hit a solid strike, and I tried Gyaku-Do and missed it and hit his arm really hard).  

But, after the Keiko, I met w/ Jerry and began telling him what I thought he should improve and would help his Kendo.

I came home and thought about it, and I felt really bad b/c:

1) I don't even practice Kendo actively (due to studying), AND

2) I didn't even perform a proper or good Kendo, BUT

3) I was telling him what I thought he should do.

I remembered my conversation w/ Yamaguchi Sensei after one tournament.  He told me that being a Shimpan is very important b/c they themselves have to constantly practice Kendo and know how to perform the proper Kendo so that they can validly and properly judge other people's Kendo.  A Shimpan has to know it for himself before judging others.

I thought about how I observe other Senseis' Kendo or learn from the Senseis who know their Kendo so well.  I was learning from their examples.  I should be like that to other lower ranks.

2.  Lesson from At-chan and Sergio

I was trying to teach At-chan how to tie Men, but Yuji Sensei pointed out that I was doing it wrong.  I also was trying to teach Sergio how to do a proper Son-kyo but Yuji Sensei corrected my Son-kyo and taught us how to do it properly.

Lesson learned:  (SEE ABOVE)

*To see the general guideline on proper Kendo, please check our dojo's blog.  I put a link to the YouTube video by All Japan Kendo Federation's instructional video (basics, intermediate, advanced).