IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY, BUT...

 by Phillip Starr

In the learning of a given martial art, we do so largely by imitation; we imitate our seniors, and often do our best to imitate the teacher. But, a word of warning here…there is an expression in Chinese, “Lao Tou Quan”, which translates as “old man’s form.” If the teacher is past the age of becoming a “senior citizen” (65 yrs. old or more), one must be careful; bear in mind that the older teacher doesn’t have the bone and muscle strength, and speed that he/she once possessed. Some movements may be a little off, too.

This isn’t to say that his martial skills have necessarily deteriorated. If he/she is wise, the teacher has learned to compensate for these deficiencies in various ways. Moreover, teachers of high skill will execute various movements with very slight, subtle “tweaks” that most students will hardly notice, if they notice them at all.

Students may, if they’re trying hard to perfectly imitate the older teacher, end up looking like a much older practitioner! And if they try to add any tweaks that they saw (or thought they saw), they get really fouled up. Remember that the older instructor has had decades to adapt the art to suit his body. And you don’t have his body; you don’t have to compensate for various “old age” issues and your body is STILL learning to adapt to your art. To truly “make it your own” takes decades of diligent, regular practice!