Who Teaches the Teacher? The Importance of Never Becoming Complacent

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ: As a teacher of martial arts, I want to build awareness. Awareness is the first key to de-selecting yourself from violence.

You do not have to study or be interested in the reality of violence to become the target of violence.

Why a Good Teacher Must Remain a Good Student

As a human being and a teacher of martial arts, I strive to evolve.

As the owner/operator of White Tiger Dojo, it is imperative that I continue to grow and evolve my teaching methods and skill sets.

After 30 years of study and entering my second decade of full-time teaching, one lesson remains constant: I must never become complacent with my skills as a practitioner or a teacher.

In order to provide the best service I can to my student body, I am constantly challenging myself.

Four years ago, I sought out a professional named Craig Douglas, of ShivWorks, in order to test my own skills, hone new ones and discover what I did not know.

Bringing Craig Douglas and Edged Weapons Training to Berkeley Heights

On the weekend of March 19th and 20th, White Tiger Dojo hosted Craig Douglas and his internationally recognized Edged Weapons Overview (EWO) coursework.

Twenty men and one of my female black belts entered the altar of scrutiny that Mr. Douglas has built through his training.

The coursework involved approximately 18 hours of instruction over two days, with sessions running from 8 AM to 6 PM and a one-hour lunch break each day.

Other than myself and two of my black belts, the remaining participants consisted of a large contingent of tri-state area law enforcement professionals, including members of the Berkeley Heights Police Department, along with a variety of civilian professionals.

What Law Enforcement and Civilians Can Learn About Violence Prevention

Although the participants' ages, locations and professional backgrounds varied, their goals and excitement about the coursework were remarkably similar.

Awareness and safety for the sake of oneself and one's family were paramount.

All agreed that this was coursework unlike anything they had readily encountered elsewhere.

The training brought together law enforcement officers, martial artists and civilians to examine the realities of close-range violence, personal safety and decision-making under pressure.

The goal was not simply to learn more techniques. It was to discover what we didn't know and challenge what we thought we already knew.

White Tiger Dojo and Berkeley Heights Police Department Working Together

White Tiger Dojo was proud to partner with the Berkeley Heights Police Department and Craig Douglas to provide this training opportunity for so many people.

And what did law enforcement professionals get out of the coursework?

Berkeley Heights Police Chief John DiPasquale had this to say:

Berkeley Heights Police Department was pleased that Craig Douglas could provide our agency with coursework that cannot be duplicated in terms of safety and awareness. Mr. Douglas is a humble instructor that provides his students with the tools to combat predatory violence.
The Berkeley Heights Police Department emphasizes the highest level of training in our effort to keep our community safe.
On behalf of our department, we would like to thank White Tiger Dojo owner, Darren DeMarco, for making this type of training possible and partnering with our community.

Self-Defense Training Is About Preparation, Not Winning

In the end, whether you are a civilian or a law enforcement professional, when an attack occurs, it will take time for help to arrive, if someone even knows you're in trouble.

Sometimes winning isn't an option, and survival until the cavalry arrives may be your only hope.

That's a difficult reality, but it's precisely why awareness, preparation and realistic training matter.

As Douglas says about his own coursework:

"This is not coursework you win, this is coursework you experience."

And sometimes, discovering what you don't know is the most important lesson of all.

Watch Sensei Darren in the final training exercise, or "evolution."