The Need For a Path

Lately I have been doing a decent job of logging every single class that I teach. But my notes consist simply of what I am teaching:

- basics (traditional stance work)
- horse stance (2:45min), crane stance (1:35min)

- shadow boxing
- fast twitch muscle drills

- conditioning

Then after class I write notes to myself on how well the class went and what I could have done different. The only problem with this method is it is completely void of a path.
I'm thinking it might be better to start with a 'long term' goal, in my school's current situation this would be something along the lines of "teach the students to effectively apply their techniques in a fight". This would be the goal of a few months' worth of training. There are simply too many aspects of Kung Fu to ONLY focus on that. So after a few months or so, I would update the long term goal. Maybe something like "work the students through the traditional form they are currently learning".
With these goals in place I can break them down into a weekly goal, then each of my daily logs will have a daily goal. Then I have a path to travel on, and won't be simply wandering around aimlessly with a vague goal in mind.
I don't want to put too much emphasis on the 'path' and the 'goal' but without those things I would be walking in circles and would never arrive anywhere.

Kid's Class... Flag Sparring

On sort of a whim I decided to have the kid's Kung Fu class do flag sparring. I was completely amazed at how well it went. There was no arguing, injuries or anything else that could have gone wrong. Everyone seemed to have lots of fun and most of the battles were fairly evenly matched.

I also changed up our warm ups, focusing entirely on synchronization. This worked pretty well as I was leading the entire class and I only made the next move once everyone was still. So we all made each step in relative unity. It still breaks down the moment I am not leading but it is a good first step. There is still SO much work to be done with their basics.

Their balance during the crane stance is also improving in slow increments, but improving none the less.

Everyone put in a good effort tonight. A good way to end the week! More later...