Seminar Advice

[ronin6]

OK, so I will be attending my first Kenpo seminar this coming weekend. It will be the Seminar at which Mr. Wedlake is promoted to 9th black. I'm excited to attend but also a bit hesitant. Many of you have heard me speak of my past martial arts experience, so I will not bore you with that. The concern is that since I'm such a newbie, will I be hindering class and the progress of my fellow Kenpoists? I was told that I would probably be in a sea of higher ranking persons. That said my instructor stated that since I have the background and previous training it really should not be an issue as far as catching up / keeping up. I'm looking for peoples opinions on this. Do you feel that newer persons at seminars impede your learning, slow down class? Or do you feel as though they may help you to break things down better. In my previous art it was a good thing, as you could break things down with the newer persons and that in turn would help while going full speed with the higher ranks.

[Takai]

Actually, I like having a good mix when I attend a seminar. Sometimes it is the "newbie" that asks the question for something we just took for granted. It can be a real eye-opener.

With your previous martial arts experience you will also bring a different viewpoint to the mat. That is what it all boils down to. The fun part of the seminar is the interaction and exchange of ideas.

Just my .02.

[hemi]

OK, so I will be attending my first Kenpo seminar this coming weekend. It will be the Seminar at which Mr. Wedlake is promoted to 9th black. I'm excited to attend but also a bit hesitant. Many of you have heard me speak of my past martial arts experience, so I will not bore you with that. The concern is that since I'm such a newbie, will I be hindering class and the progress of my fellow Kenpoists? I was told that I would probably be in a sea of higher ranking persons. That said my instructor stated that since I have the background and previous training it really should not be an issue as far as catching up / keeping up. I'm looking for peoples opinions on this. Do you feel that newer persons at seminars impede your learning, slow down class? Or do you feel as though they may help you to break things down better. In my previous art it was a good thing, as you could break things down with the newer persons and that in turn would help while going full speed with the higher ranks.

Great question!

I’ve wondered that myself being pretty new myself I would never want to hinder the class or ask a question and have everyone turn to the back and just look at me funny. Then you add the fact that I am in a red gi now, I would guess I would be the only one there and that would make me somewhat stand out. I have passed up a few that came through DFW, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio

[ronin6]

Well, I'm hoping that I will not hinder class and as for the questions there tend to be plenty of those on my part.

[Rob Broad]

Having all ranks on the floor at a seminar can be a good thing. It gets bad really quick if there is an atttention hog in the room, a person that questions everything slows things down to a snails pace and robs people of a great learning experience. Most instructors walk in and look at the ranks present, ask a couple key questions and go from there. Some questions are good, too many questions from one person makes everyone very irate.

[ronin6]

Having all ranks on the floor at a seminar can be a good thing. It gets bad really quick if there is an atttention hog in the room, a person that questions everything slows things down to a snails pace and robs people of a great learning experience. Most instructors walk in and look at the ranks present, ask a couple key questions and go from there. Some questions are good, too many questions from one person makes everyone very irate.

Great point. I'm not one of those types, but i have been around them at seminars.

[flying crane]

If this would be a problem, then in my opinion they should only open the seminar to those of "X" rank and higher. If they haven't done this, then I would assume all are welcome who want to participate and are willing to work with everyone.

[jfarnsworth]

OK, so I will be attending my first Kenpo seminar this coming weekend. It will be the Seminar at which Mr. Wedlake is promoted to 9th black. .

You are so lucky to get to go to this event. Wish I were in your place.

[Rob Broad]

Here is a previous thread about attending seminars that might be useful to everyone on the site. Notes for attending a seminar

[ronin6]

You are so lucky to get to go to this event. Wish I were in your place.

I'll be sure to share pictures with everyone.

[ronin6]

If this would be a problem, then in my opinion they should only open the seminar to those of "X" rank and higher. If they haven't done this, then I would assume all are welcome who want to participate and are willing to work with everyone.

Good point. I agree with you on that.

[ronin6]

Here is a previous thread about attending seminars that might be useful to everyone on the site. Notes for attending a seminar

Thanks. I believe I read that thread prior to posting, but still wanted to get some more info.

[Seabrook]

OK, so I will be attending my first Kenpo seminar this coming weekend. It will be the Seminar at which Mr. Wedlake is promoted to 9th black. I'm excited to attend but also a bit hesitant. Many of you have heard me speak of my past martial arts experience, so I will not bore you with that. The concern is that since I'm such a newbie, will I be hindering class and the progress of my fellow Kenpoists? I was told that I would probably be in a sea of higher ranking persons. That said my instructor stated that since I have the background and previous training it really should not be an issue as far as catching up / keeping up. I'm looking for peoples opinions on this. Do you feel that newer persons at seminars impede your learning, slow down class? Or do you feel as though they may help you to break things down better. In my previous art it was a good thing, as you could break things down with the newer persons and that in turn would help while going full speed with the higher ranks.

It's not an issue at all. Great instructors can take students of any skill and/or rank, and make sure everyone benefits. Go and have fun.

[ronin6]

It's not an issue at all. Great instructors can take students of any skill and/or rank, and make sure everyone benefits. Go and have fun.

Thanks. I look at this seminar as a stepping stone to me. I see it as my next step in my new art. This is an exciting time for me and see it as an incredible learning opportunity.

[Dianhsuhe]

Even If you are the lowest rank in the place it shows the most guts to go and give 100% while others were either afraid to go, or did not care enough about the art to go---

You also may find that filling your cup is much easier than those whose cup is full already, I mean they have to empty their cup and everything so they can fill it up again right? Sounds like they are the ones taking too much time, and messy on top of that!

Go
Learn
Be better walking out than when you walked in-

james

[Blackcatbonz]

Even If you are the lowest rank in the place it shows the most guts to go and give 100% while others were either afraid to go, or did not care enough about the art to go---

You also may find that filling your cup is much easier than those whose cup is full already, I mean they have to empty their cup and everything so they can fill it up again right? Sounds like they are the ones taking too much time, and messy on top of that!

Go
Learn
Be better walking out than when you walked in-

james

What he said.......great post!

[ronin6]

Even If you are the lowest rank in the place it shows the most guts to go and give 100% while others were either afraid to go, or did not care enough about the art to go---

You also may find that filling your cup is much easier than those whose cup is full already, I mean they have to empty their cup and everything so they can fill it up again right? Sounds like they are the ones taking too much time, and messy on top of that!

Go
Learn
Be better walking out than when you walked in-

james

Thanks for the post. Very well put and I appreciate the advice. As far as other people not attending I found that interesting. There are only five people (myself included that are heading to the seminar. Two 2nd blacks, brown, my instructor 5th black and me. I thought more were attending from my school but my instructor told me otherwise.