Tai Chi and Dragonball Z. A useful teaching tool

[Krabong]

I thought I would show you something interesting, if you wanted to see it.

If you teach young kids, it can be hard to hold their interest, or to get them to pay attention. For me, it works better if the kids think you are like them, instead of being the big authority figure. You can't really be worried about how you look if you are teaching 10 year olds, so it doesn't really matter what you do to make them feel at ease with you.

Kids love cartoons. Dragonball Z is a Japanese cartoon that is about a little boy who learns kung fu. The cartoon follows the little boy as he finds a master, learns kung fu, then comes in second place at his first kung fu tournament.

What little kid in a kung fu class can resist that?

It is my opinion that the Japanese men that created Dragonball Z put their own knowledge of kung fu into the cartoon. It is not just a goofy cartoon, but a cartoon that teaches real life useful lessons about kung fu to little kids.

Those lessons from Dragonball Z could be used as a bridge between the teacher and the little 10 year olds. The teacher can tell the kids about the cartoon, then maybe give them an episode number with a lesson the teacher thinks is important. The kids like cartoons so they will watch it, then you can talk to them to emphasize the lesson that you wanted them to learn for that class.

I know many people react negatively to the cartoon Dragonball Z, or to the idea that a cartoon could contain anything of use to real life martial arts. I brought along something to show people who think like this, that might make them change their mind.

Goku, who is the little boy in Dragonball Z finds a teacher named Master Roshi. Master Roshi is called the turtle hermit, because he is master of the turtle style. Master Roshi walks around with a turtle shell on his back as shown in the picture below.



There is a direct link between what you see in that picture, and the practice of Tai Chi. All you have to do is think about what you see, and compare it to your Tai Chi style.

For the people that think it is goofy that cartoons can teach real kung fu, do you know what it is in that cartoon picture that is related to real life Tai Chi? If you do not, then that cartoon can teach you something.

This is an example lesson you could use with little kids. Have them look at the picture and ask them the same question I am asking you. Then you can explain the answer to them. After you do, they will look at you like you really are a master, and they will also look at you like a friend, because you watch cartoons like they do.

I am curious if anyone can see what in the picture is directly related to Tai Chi, so I am not going to say it. I will come back in a few days or so to see what kinds of answers have been written.

[Puzzled Dragon]

Hm. The posture can't be it. Clenched fist without any reason can't be it. Legs close together can't be it. Leaning on a stick can't be it. You keep me wondering... (?)

[Baichi]

........................................

[cheesypeas]

The beard.

[Taoquan]

Sorry,
I just cannot agree with some of this. I do agree that it is of importance to learn to relate to children on their level and it is equally important for many adults to keep their "child like mind" But on the other hand Dragonball Z can also denote a highly "mystical" image to children about kung fu. (yes I even have seen the show)

There are lessons to be learned etc, but I would prefer to take a hands on approach rather than telling any kid to watch a cartoon for some reason. It is of my own opinion that all lessons should be learned from real life, not cartoons/tv. Ultimately if you see it in day to day life this will drill the lesson home quicker and with deeper understanding, MA or otherwise. Also it is of my opinion that if you can point your lessons out in Day to day life it shows that you too better understand what you are trying to teach. Though I can see your point in using cartoons to make a comparison but hardly a large teaching tool as it seems you are making it.

[Sandus]

Not on my watch.