Soliciting seminar input

[draconis]

As I've mentioned elseJournal, I'm going to be conducting a martial arts seminar on pressure points and extracting combat-applicable techniques from katas (forms), for a group of people who have no clue that forms are anything but complicated dances, and whose idea of pressure points are the eyes/throat/solar plexus/groin. I've got one day to give them the basics -- tall order!

I've been doing this particular brand of martial arts for 11 years now, and various other styles for 10 years before that. I am confident in my own knowledge of the material, and in my ability to teach. The one thing that I don't do very often is work with complete newbies, and even then it's with newbies that I know I will probably see again at the next class, or next week, or whenever, so if I overlook something I can "catch them up" then. I realize that there is a lot of stuff that I know on a subconscious level... and there lies the trap I'm trying to be sure I avoid. This is going to be the equivalent of taking a bunch of Jr. High School students who've had basic arithmetic, and introducing them to algebra and geometry... done by someone who is working on the level of Calculus.

I've already talked this over with my beloved gryphonrhi and with alysswolf, and they made some good points. Now I'd like to throw it open to you.

The basic framework I'm planning is to concentrate only on one very simple kata that they already know. The morning session will focus on what to do and how to do it, then the afternoon session will get into the more advanced topics, like why to do it that way.

If you were to attend such a seminar, what things can you think of that you would want/need to see covered in order to help you understand the material?

Comments

[kat-denton.livejournal.com]

Dragon, if you are worried about misuse or not understanding the theory in the aftermath of the class, how about some printed material / references / bibliography type stuff to take home and study later?

I have little to no knowledge of martial arts, other than the few moves that JC has shown me of the Marine Corps MCMAP and Walt from the self defense classes that he once taught. But if I were you, I'd start with clearly defining the objectives for the class and go from there.

Good Luck

[jcbdragon.livejournal.com]

"how about some printed material / references / bibliography type stuff to take home and study later?"

I'm planning on having several of the books from my library, just on display, for precisely that reason. I'm also working on a new chart to show some "broad brush-stroke" information on what types of points are located in different areas of the body. Oddly enough, I've never seen a chart like this, so I'm having to come up with one on my own. Given my limited artistic abilities, I'm not sure how the final result will look....

Not understanding after the fact can be corrected. There is one person in the hosting school who has some familiarity with the material -- enough to either answer their questions, or relay them to me. ::G::

Unfortunately, misuse after I'm gone isn't something I can do much about. If you have any suggestions for that one, I would certainly welcome them!