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ShenLung

To teach, or not to teach?

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greetings, bummers!  I have already received the answer that I was looking for, and many thanks to the DaoBums community for your help.  In the interest of consistency, I will put the question forth.  I have a dear friend who is becoming the heir to the art of Shotokan  in America, and is currently undergoing intensive training in chi manipulation.  After observing his progress, and learning about his training regimen, I have determined that there are many refinements that are lacking in his instruction.  This is not his fault, nor the fault of his teacher; they were left out of the discipline entirely,  due to the novice status of the discipline's founder.  If I teach him what he is lacking, it will alter Shotokan completely.  What should I do?

 

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Systems are created based on qualities they wish to cultivate in the practitioner. In Shotokan what qualities/talents are they trying to cultivate...this often reflects the methods that are being used. Furthermore, not all methods are suited to all people and traditions that do not evolve eventually stagnate and die. 

 

As a general rule of thumb, don't teach anyone anything if there not asking to be taught. 

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Funakoshi's Shotokan Karate?  From my time in it long ago, very traditional stuff.  Course it was strongly hinted there were other sides to it and Funakoshi kept the Americanized version more sanitary, straight lines and katas.  Versus exploring some of the darker moves and techniques hidden in the katas. 

 

I'm pretty sure quite a bit of cross training that goes on.  When you've dedicated your life to an art, you can know several, but teach traditionally to keep the art pure.  Odds are showing your friend chi gung.. kung fu, etc., isn't going to make him change Shotokan if he is lineage entrusted.  

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greetings, bummers!  I have already received the answer that I was looking for, and many thanks to the DaoBums community for your help.  In the interest of consistency, I will put the question forth.  I have a dear friend who is becoming the heir to the art of Shotokan  in America, and is currently undergoing intensive training in chi manipulation.  After observing his progress, and learning about his training regimen, I have determined that there are many refinements that are lacking in his instruction.  This is not his fault, nor the fault of his teacher; they were left out of the discipline entirely,  due to the novice status of the discipline's founder.  If I teach him what he is lacking, it will alter Shotokan completely.  What should I do?

well, put up some talking points and we can discuss them :P

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