Patience and Timing

For students to have the greatest chance of success, they have to be properly prepared at each level of their learning. Educators are well aware of the concept of “readiness” and study when children are ready to learn things like addition and multiplication. The timing in moving a student from one level to the next requires great care.

Martial arts Masters are also well aware that timing is very important in the progression of their students.This is why almost every martial arts school has a curriculum that has been well thought out. Even though there are some average time frames, the approximate time to reach a certain level is not set in stone because students learn at different rates. So the timing for moving between levels is individually based on student readiness in the master’s judgement.
Although some students may be very anxious to learn how to do flying side kicks as soon as they begin training, the Master knows that they are not ready. They must learn to walk before they fly, and so they begin with basic side kicks to build a foundation. The students may not be ready in their flexibility, conditioning, knowledge, or techniques for such advanced skill. Desire is important but readiness will prevent injury.

As students advance, it is natural that they want to learn more, but they must trust the master’s knowledge and experience as to when they are ready to learn. More common than injury is the likelihood of developing bad habits that will be hard to correct. Because the Master wants his students to be successful, he will be careful with his timing in advancing a student to insure success rather than give a false sense of achievement.

Students with a great sense of loyalty and trust understand this situation.They realize that the Master knows best because he has experience and thoroughly understands the style and the capability of his students. Because they are willing to wait for the right time, they are much more successful than the impatient students who sometimes quit after a relatively short period of time.The patient student not only learns the advanced techniques, but learns them the right way, built on a solid foundation.

A Master knows the difference between a boy and an eagle. When the timing is right, he will let his students fly.