Teachers are professional

 

Misconceptions of students about Tai Chi as a Martial Art and Teacher’s Role

“You work for us, so why do what you say, like do this or don't do that”? 

“You can help new students; why should I?”

“I already know how to walk, so why Tai Chi Walk”? What would you do if I grabbed your arm like this”? “I already know this; you’re just repeating what I’ve read in books,”!

“I’ve seen better demonstrations online; why are you teaching it this way?” 

“I want your teacher to meet my teacher so we can get better Tai Chi”! “Don't you do warmups at least?”  “This is too slow,”,  “You’re not explaining it enough.” , “I have Youtube”! “My Wing Chun teacher said you don't hold your fist like that”! “Why would you teach someone for free”? “I teach Pilates, and we don't do things like that”! 

I would have almost preferred if the students who said these had intended it to be disrespectful. As prelude to seeing me in class and unsolicited, one of my teachers said, “…if people give you shit, knock them down…”! I have heard many more comments so I really would have considerable “knock them down” to do. Then there were the ones who attacked without warning, and the “knock them down” became a reality. Had they asked it as a question—“Don’t you work for us?” etc? I could at least explain the following, with you dear reader “reading between the lines”!

Imagine robbing a bank and telling police officers it is their job to prevent you from committing the crime in the first place. Imagine burning your own house to the ground and then telling a firefighter it’s their job to keep your home from becoming rubble and ash. Imagine you are involved in an accident, and when a paramedic comes to save your life, you tell them it was their job to prevent your injuries. It’s unthinkable. It is not done. 

Tai Chi teachers are martial arts teachers, or public servants?

Some students may not fully understand or respect Tai Chi as a martial art, viewing it as a mere exercise or relaxation technique. This misconception may be fueled by the art’s emphasis on slow movements, which can be misinterpreted as lacking martial efficacy.

Additionally, some students may not recognize the teacher’s role as a Sifu, Master, or instructor and instead perceive them as a public servant or someone providing a service. This lack of respect for the teacher’s expertise and authority can harm the learning process and lead to misunderstandings about the art.

Things Students Say to Disrespect Tai Chi Teachers

We have outlined specific examples of things students say to disrespect Tai Chi teachers. We can easily infer some possible comments based on disrespectful behavior toward teachers. Here are a few examples:

• Talking over the teacher while they are instructing
• Making sarcastic comments or jokes during class
• Refusing to follow instructions or ignoring the teacher’s corrections
• Making fun of the teacher’s accent or pronunciation 
• Disregarding traditional Tai Chi etiquette
• Questioning the teacher’s authority or expertise in Tai Chi
• Making comments that undermine the teacher’s instructions or methods
• Using a condescending tone or language when speaking to the teacher

It’s essential to note that disrespect can take many forms; these examples are not exhaustive. Like any other educators, Tai Chi teachers deserve respect and professionalism from their students.