When a student decides to teach martial arts there are a few things to keep on mind: be respectful to the Grandmaster; be respectful to your students; study and teach the system properly; keep a dignified community presence; keep your skills at a high level of integrity; teach the students rather than manipulate them; keep an open heart and mind allowing students to be friends with each other to develop greater frienships and bonding; keep the association strong by bringing positive things to it with an expansive/supportive attitude; stay away from being controlling; leave the students to be themselves; encourage interaction amongst the students as well as the association schools; separating and being devisive is not the martial way; corralling and confining student behavior is not the martial way; being confident as a teacher is the martial art way; separating students from each other is not the way; combining them is the way; encouraging the students is the way; listening to the students is the way; teaching without being manipulative is the way; preserving the dignity of martial arts is the way; respecting the Grandmaster is the way; all language that divides students from teachers is not the way; being a rogue teacher due to your ego is not the way; anger is not the way; love is the way; trust is the way; dedication is the way; and letting the students find their way, is the way.
Control is not teaching; it is manipulative. Talking behind people’s backs (unless solving a problem) isn’t mastery but pathetic behavior. Dividing folks from folks is pathetic and weak. Telling students they cannot talk to the Grandmaster and or other advanced ranks is weak and insecure – and not the way of “real” martial arts and never was!
All masters are approachable in our style (including Grandmaster Baird). They are here to serve students. There is no separatism. Anyone that says there is, does not understand our way or has a personal agenda for doing so. We are family oriented and inclusive. If anyone says differently, they are misleading you. If anyone says do not contact me, they are misleading you. We all are approachable. We are all here to serve the students and at their best interest. There may be an order of things but not to create an exclusivity but rather to create a way to literally run a business that includes over 300 students.
The worst attribute you can develop is one of separatness – where you separate you and your students from the Grandmaster and all the other masters and students combined. All under the guise that the Grandmaster should not be bothered goes the story; which is not true. A Grandmaster is there to serve all students and is supposed to. Otherwise, he/she might as well quit as they have no further value. Respecting a higher rank is one thing: manipulating the folks not talk to them is another – and it is wrong.
Our school is set up in such a way that all leaders and all followers are accessible and should be. We are all in this wonderful art together; we are here to share friendships and the art of kung fu at the highest levels. And, that cannot be done with small, manipulative minds. It must be done with minds that are open, powerful, trusting, loving, giving, fearless, compassionate and without paranoia. No other mind needs to be brought to the Black Tiger Class. No other mind should be brought to our association. No other mind should be brought to Master Baird.
Often, students have been told “Don’t talk to Master Baird … he’s very busy … and he shouldn’t be bothered” and so on. It’s not true folks! I’m here and will be for a long time. And, the reason I am is to help each and every student the best I can. I’m accessible: I love martial arts! Of course, why not chat with anyother black belt or master that is already nearby? Or, why not chat with your class teacher? Those are both great places to start when you have questions. But, while that is a common and appropriate practice, it is also clearly inappropriate for anyone to tell you “not to bother me” etc. That just isn’t my policy as the Grandmaster of our style. Quite the contrary. I’m a hands on teacher – all our masters are. Each of our masters are approachable and willing to help you with any question or thought that you have.
That is the Black Tiger Way. It is our school way. It is my way!
I’m looking forward to each and every one of you who has joined the Black Tiger Program this time around to having a great and challenging … and massively rewarding experience.
Welcome aboard!
Grandmaster Baird
It’s my way!
Thank you for being an example of The True Way of martial arts, in this blog and in and all you give of yourself year after year. After taking some 8 or 10 Black Tigers courses, I still can’t wait for this one! I look forward to coming together with Black Tigers oldies and newbies for the camaraderie, learning and FUN that your teachings bring.
WOOOOO!!!! yeah I can’t wait sir its going to be great experience, and thank you Grandmaster Baird for everything you have done for us and being the example you are your just AWESOME!!