A great teacher leads by example. The values that we instill in our students are the same virtues we strive to live by every day. Being a teacher is like tending a flame. It requires the right piece of wood at the right time. You don't want to start with the biggest logs. You start with the twigs and kindling, then gradually layer in the bigger branches. You have to be patient, or you'll put out the fire before it can get off the ground.
We have the same approach when working with students at Rising Phoenix Martial Arts. We start by building passion, then slowly applying rigor. Sometimes, we have to give a little nudge to get the bird out of the nest, but we do so at the right time--when the bird is ready to flying! We have seen some amazing accomplishments, both physically and mentally. Sometimes the person that walks away hardly resembles the person that came before--just as the phoenix rises from the ashes of its former self!
