There must be a balance in everything!
Teaching martial arts is not easy as it should incorporate all aspects of the art, from personal growth, philosophy, humility, etc., to even competition.
This creates an environment for the healthy development of an individual. You can not do well without any of these aspects. In my particular case, I promote a balanced environment and I can gladly say I’m starting to see the results in these students that now I have the luck to train and guide.
Those who only train kata, or only train self-defense techniques, or only train sparring, could, unwillingly, be limiting the student and condemning him/her to a false perception of reality.
Glad to see that many sensei are clear about this, because the main objective of everything we have learned, is to pass on the tools, and with proper guidance, allow the student to express himself in its fullness as a person, in every aspect of their lives.
A big hello to all my martial friends! OSU