I currently work in a school, and my wife teaches at the same school. This past Friday I had the opportunity to share the martial arts with her students. For the last several years, I’ve done a presentation for the 7th grade Humanities classes. How does that fit in? They study the geography, culture and literature of the various countries in Asia, and when they reach the end, I take them on a ‘field trip’ of sorts through the development of martial arts in the region, touching on the apocryphal ‘Boddhidarma’ stories and some more research grounded historical facts and observe how different arts reflected the local culture and time, and how when cultures intersected, new martial traditions were born. Of course it ends with a demo, and the ‘Q&A’ section always includes volunteers from the audience. I find it a challenge, because instead of my usual Kempo, the demonstration includes Chinese forms (this year it was Tai Chi, but other years have included Choy Li Fut and Elementary Long Fist), comparing the Heians done Japanese style with the Pinans done Okinawan style, Shaolin Broadsword and Japanese Iaijutsu, wushu staff and Okinawan bo. It takes a lot of preparation, and I always feel like I’m a little rusty since it’s not my ‘top priority’ stuff. The kids are always appreciative, though, and it’s really rewarding.
My favorite question from this year?
“Could you show us the darker side of Tai Chi?”
Now that’s certainly a fun place to go.
As outreach – it hasn’t necessarily benefitted me personally as far as students, but the kids apparently find it memorable. I’ve had many mention it years later, and was even recognized by a waitress at a restaurant, years after. I’d like to think that it at least piques the interest of a few of them, and maybe makes them see martial arts as a valuable part of culture.
