The Dojo dynamic is driven by interaction between teacher to student and student to student. These relationships are quite unique, but not independent from each other.

On an individual level each teacher student interaction is different, however I believe that there are certain things expected by a good student. Obviously showing respect and attentiveness encourages the teacher to give more and raises the receptive attitude in the Dojo. These are covered by the etiquette and rules that any senior student can explain to you.

The hidden and subtle behaviours are the ones I want to touch on.

I recently heard someone speak of his teacher and state how his Sensei when explaining the reasoning behind a particular technique to him had never mentioned a certain aspect. It struck me at that instant that I myself would have asserted that if my Sensei did not speak of something it was because he/she did not know or believe in it. It is probably mostly due to some level of arrogance on my behalf in that I have come to think that I ‘know’ my Sensei.

A teacher student relationship in a small Dojo is often a closer one, in which the Sensei will tailor his/her delivery in the hope of best ‘reaching’ each student. It is wrong to think you ‘know’ your Sensei and label them as a technical or as internal based on what they teach you. This labelling is a false truth which places blinkers on yourself and potentially others in the Dojo too.

A good student questions everything. A teacher’s role is to guide and coach by opening the minds of his/her students to possibilities, alternatives and giving them a third persons point of view to their technique. The student still needs to make the techniques their own by actively ‘stealing’ the techniques from their teacher. The student who takes in blindly what the teacher shows them seriously limits their growth in their ability to observe and analyse, and in turn discover the hidden truths.

A good student assists their teacher by being a good uke. Not so much by executing spectacular falls, but delivering authentic attacks and providing solid resistance. They show respect for their teacher by believing in their Sensei’s abilities. They also continue to challenge their teacher (within reason) demonstrating their hunger to be better and stronger. It also allows the Sensei to grow both in their technique and their ability to teach.

Equally important are the student to student interactions - but that is for another week.