Viewpoint:
The Mind Of The Beginner

By Ken Tallack

The open mind of the beginner is a unique thing. Beginners will commonly accept almost any approach the instructor chooses for their first lesson.

The mind is open to receiving information, and even the most skeptical will forever use this first lesson as a reference point — "What is Martial Arts?'

Do you remember your first lesson? Do you remember your third, fourth, fifth lessons?

For most people the first lesson leaves an indelible mark still present for years to come, whereas the next dozen or so may blur together in the memory. You only get one chance to make that first impression.

Allow the students to observe and draw their own conclusions. Encourage your more advanced members to introduce themselves and discuss the activity openly.

Bumps and bruises are part of this learning, and this fact shouldn't be hidden from someone checking it out. Neither should it be stressed, just accepted as part of the learning process.

Today many people are so concerned with safety and being politically correct that they forget how much value may be gained from hard contact between experienced students. Let the new person know they will not be injured and that the contact waits for the right level of training.

Let your senior members tell the new student what is coming in their training and to have faith that the value will be obvious to them.

The open mind of beginners will accept many things, and the conclusions they draw will often be based on their perceptions of the people and surroundings rather than on the course content.

Allow the students to observe and draw their own conclusions. Hide nothing, benefits and challenges alike.

Realize that the activity is not for everyone, and don't be discouraged if trial students take the free uniform and walk. The ones who stay will make it worthwhile.

Ken Tallack
Ken Tallack is the Canadian Representative of the Dai Nippon Butokukai, International Division and holds the grade of Shichi-dan, Kyoshi from this group. Introducing Goju-Ryu Meibukan to Canada in the 1980s, he continues to teach and practice classical Budo in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.