Posted: 5/10/2009 7:54:59 PM EDT
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Forgive me, this is long. I'm looking for some input here.
I've been training since I was young. That means I've been training, with varying intensity, for about 18 years now. I've gone through a number of schools, and a number of teachers. Sometimes because I left, more often because the teacher closed up shop and left. Some of my relationships with the teachers were good, some were strained. I started in Karate, and eventually found my way to Muay Thai sometime in college after leaving a Goju Garage Dojo. (We trained a lot in parks, garages... basements. Sometimes my basement.) So for the past probably 5 years I've been training with one specific Muay Thai coach. We get along smashingly and have spent hours talking and eating outside of class. I consider him to be a great friend of mine, to the extent that I've been to several of his birthdays and he would have been at my wedding if it weren't for the fact that he was out of the country at the time. I guess what I'm saying there is that I feel a very close connection to the guy. He also teaches a damn good class and is a four time world champion. The problem is this: About 2 years ago I moved nearly 30 miles away from the gym. 18 months ago I started a new business that is extremely time-demanding and makes it hard to take that 60 mile round trip, through traffic, to go train (Nearly 2 hours in transit) End result? I've been in class maybe 20 times in the past year and a half. I love it, I miss it, but it's so inconvenient that I never go. The other issue is that I've trained with him long enough that I've seen most of his "lesson plan"... basically, I feel that in terms of actual teaching the class has reached a point of diminishing returns. Indeed, he's straight up told me that for me to really get better with him I need to get into the ring and do some competitive fighting. This is not an interest to me... I've never been particularly interested in becoming the next great golden gloves or the ultimate fighting machine. It's simply not part of my life plan. He's cool with that, and so am I. So lately, I've been looking around for schools closer to home. There are several that look to be good candidates. The problem? In a nutshell, I feel immensely guilty about taking another class. On the flip side, I very much want to go train. Thanks for reading. Any input? |
| Not sure why you would feel guilty. You are obviously close enough to him to have a conversation about it. Tell him what you are thinking. I can't imagine that he would be insulted. Tell him you have been thinking about finding a school closer to home so its easier for you to train more regularly. Also you can still plan on training with him on a less frequent basis. Maybe once a month or so just to keep in contact. You might even be able to help him with a class from time to time or some such. |
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SabreCat,
I have been training under the same teacher for the last 5+ years, mostly AKKI Kenpo (Paul Mills) (My teacher is Ian R) I have also had the pleasure of learning a huge amount of body mechanics through my/his various studies. He (Teacher) would learn and teach anything he felt is useful and piratical (Siok to Catch Wrestling) no limit on brand or style. He also suggested that we take other classes to understand what he has been teaching us (how good it actually is) and to expand our learning. As of last month I started another school, they teach Budo (ninjitsu) and MMA cage fighting, so far it has been good and my previous studies have not been a problem (good mechanics are good mechanics). My old teacher and I still socialize, and he respects for my new one. I would suggest to you to find one or two arts that round off your studies. Maybe a good Jujitsu school, or even a Tie Che. If you can find a AKKI school near you, it will teach you super fast combinations with absolute power, but your Muay Thai may well cover that enough. Several arts (including Muay Thai) are great and effective (with a good teacher), learn a few. I'm sure your teacher will be proud. |
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i started in World Fed TKD, my instructor is one of the few white guys to make 6th degree (the real way) and he took me to state twice (gold both times) and nationals once 3rd. i moved 100 miles away took Kendo now take Judo. Even though i moved and there is no way to make it to class....i still feel guilty. I spoke to my old instructor about this and he laughed said that here hears it often from good students. He said thanks but it is meant to be like that...you should study under others, you will have a natural tendency to put "a" Master above others but no student achieves Master studying under only one Master. If you continue long enough in martial arts; you will put your first master on a pedestal, but he will not be your only master.
i learned a lot in Kendo and i am a better martial artist and person for studying the art. I have closed a lot of gaps in my game and vastly increased my knowledge base with Judo...but me; i am a striker and no one will compare to what i learned under Master Rutlage. |