serious student

~~Hi All! Taking a poll: What attributes, in your mind, would deem someone a 'serious Aikido student'? Thanks!

Someone I have come to count on being there almost every class.

Someone who comes to watch training when injured (hopefully by a cause outside the dojo).

Someone who attends seminars even when they are in another city.

Someone who is always helpful to other students.

Someone who gets properly prepared for rank exams.

Someone who volunteers.

Someone who can break all the windows in the dojo with one fart.

a serious student? someone who lets the art come to life in their life and not just in training. To atleast it is someone who can see and feel the human body and mind, and be able learn how to harmonize with them.

I agree with Aleksey

someone whos aim is to crush their enemies, see them driven before them, and to hear the lamentation of the women!


(apologies to conan)

In my opinion, a serious student is one who is willing to give up the old self to become someone new.

Charles Hill

someone who has made a commitment to learn and study the art,

sweeps aside all excuses to not practice and finds time and reason to practice,

puts heart mind and spirit and body in the art

and manages to balance everything else to a healthy and positive life,

practices the art in a "positive, joyful but also constructive manner"

knows that it takes time and a lot of practice to appreciate and discover aikido and its principles

Someone who can read the pretentious lists of things expected from them by their "predecessors in the art" and not giggle too much.

Serious student = someone who trains regularly and diligently on the mat (with or without the farting technique, but it's a thought...).

Someone who keeps their mouth shut and mind open.
Someone who comes to the mat to train , not socialize.
Someone who seeks to understand the technique being taught, not to play the what-if game ("yeah, but if the attacker does this or that").
Someone who is both humble and genuine on and off the mat.

Someone that always shows up with an empty cup.
Someone whos focus on the mat is practice.
Someone that does not talk class away with needless questions.
Someone with a desire to learn.

What Craig said. Each are goals for me in my practice.

Wayne

It would be kind of interesting to see what people who teach regular classes responses were versus those who don't teach classes but are regular students. I am wondering, does teaching change significantly how you think about this.

There could be a special third category for responses from 10 year olds just for Aleksey.

A serious student...just like a professional golf caddy...show up, shut up, and keep up.

Someone that always shows up with an empty cup.

Not if they were supposed to be getting me a beer.

• show up
• do your best
• pay dues on time

Bronson

p.s. I teach regularly

Yes, beer for sensei is critical responsability of serious student.

Hi all:
A serious student is:

Someone who shows up to class every time they can

Someone who does little things for the dojo

Someone who tries their best to do what has been shown, doesn't just do what they always do.

Someone who asks the questions they need to ask, but not the ones they can find out by practicing

Someone who realizes that repetitions are a necessary component of learning a physical skill

Someone who is respectful of other practitioners' well being and learning needs

I teach regularly, too.

e ya later
Jill.

Charles Hill wrote: a serious student is one who is willing to give up the old self to become someone new.

To my mind this is the perfect definition. Really challenging. Thanks Charles.