Teaching Martial Arts

Teaching martial arts successfully requires skill and dedication. In Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching, you can read 26 essays by experienced martial arts teachers. Some essays are personal journeys while others get into the nuts and bolts of teaching. Published by Frog, Ltd. (a division of North Atlantic Books).

Quotes from this book on teaching martial arts:

We train to learn the part of us that is deep inside. We know it is there, we want to explore it, but we are also very intimidated by what "it" is.
    - James Garrison,
       8th Dan, Hapkido,
      "One Instructor's Journey"

The real foundation for teaching is constant inner work, deepening self-awareness, and spiritual understanding.
    - Jamie Zimron, 4th Dan, Aikido,
       "Reflections on Teaching"

There is no one true way, no one martial art that is in any real sense "better" than others. People make the arts, and the person is the object and subject of the training.
    - Elmar Schmeisser, 5th Dan, Shotokan Karate,
       "The University Dojo"

Don't assume you know anything about what the student can or can't do... approach your students as the diverse individuals they are--people who have been shaped in a million unpredictable ways by a lifetime of experience you can never fully grasp.
    - Didi Goodman, 2nd Dan, Cuong Nhu,
      "Learning from Children: Five Easy Lessons for Teachers"

Children are a challenge... a precious one. When you teach children you have the privilege of being a part of their life's foundation.
    -Judith Marschke, 3rd Dan, Tae Kwon Do,
      "Teaching Martial Arts to Children"

Other contributors to this book on teaching martial arts include:

Carol J. Gittins, Goju-ryu Karate,
    "Adapting Karate Instruction for Learning Styles"
Jan DeMarinis, Shotokan Karate,
    "Communication in the Dojo"
Christopher J. Goedecke, Isshinryu Karate,
   "Sensei-Do: The Do and Do Not of Martial Teaching"
Janet Aalfs, Shuri-ryu Karate,
    "Honoring the Self as Teacher and Student"
Karla Grant, Kenpo Karate,
    "Criteria for Martial Arts and Self-Defense Programs"
Helen Nakano, Naginata-Do,
    "From My Soul to Your Soul"
Steven Ruskin, Kung Fu,
    "Soft Blocking to the Music"
Kate Hobbs, Kajukenbo,
    "Reviving the Spirit of Youth"
Pat Hendricks, Aikido,
   "Teaching with Consciousness"
Jonice Owen, Aikido,
    "Developing Ki Flow"
Michael Friedl, Aikido,
    "Teaching Children is a Challenge"
Harvey Kurland, T'ai Chi Ch'uan,
    "Practice Makes Permanent: Scientific Training"
Michelle Dwyer, T'ai Chi Ch'uan,
    "To Learn + To Teach = To Know"
Roberta Schine, Tae Kwon Do,
   "Authoritarianism in Martial Arts Teaching"

...and more.


Read a sample teaching martial arts essay.

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