Thoughts, stories, and ideas from Sensei Steve Gottwirt

Thoughts, stories, and ideas from                  Sensei Steve Gottwirt
Some of these thoughts, stories, and personal history appeared in our newsletter, "Dō Gakuin News". Few members have been with us since our first issue in 1993. As such, ideas on this page may have been printed before, but are worth telling again.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Our Students Are Gassy

Could we go back into our dojo at this time? Technically, yes. So why haven’t we? It seems our students are very gassy. Huh?

Gas molecules spread to fill out whatever size container they’re in. When we have 8 students in the double classroom (800 sq ft), they stand far apart and fill the space. When these same 8 students are in the buffet room (1,200 sq ft), they stand farther apart, filling that space. When we go outside on the patio (a few thousand sq ft), students stand faaar apart, trying to fill the vast space. What’ll happen when we go back into a 350 sq ft dojo?

After 9/11/2001, all flights were grounded nationwide. Once flying resumed, people were startled whenever they heard a low-flying plane. This lasted for a while until ‘normal’ became routine again. I understand everyone’s concern. Masks, social distancing, and non-contact have us gun shy. It’ll take a while before we feel ‘normal’.

Once we go back into the dojo we’ll try to keep minimum 6 foot social distance. In order to do so, we’ll need to restrict how many students come to each class to avoid overcrowding. So far, our gassy students don’t seem ready for this close distance. So when will we go back to the dojo on a regular basis? Soon… soon.

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