Martial Arts – Too much like hard work

Hello Friend,

Just a simple reminder, if you are feeling a little overwhelmed with it all. Or some aspects of your martial arts are not going well, and you are tempted to throw in the towel.

Have a read of this...

Work, work, work

Benefits

It is worth reminding yourself of the benefits you get from martial arts. There are some benefits which may be unique to you or your situation. But there are some that I would call universal benefits which apply to all who take part:

If done right, it is a mind, body and soul experience, in which all three aspects grow in the process, self-defence, confidence, health (fitness, flexibility and strength), stress release and the social side where you’ll meet like-minded people and form life-long friendships in most cases...

A few good reasons why to continue. Wouldn’t you agree?

Motivate me

Is there any motivation from you or the sensei or school/club you belong to?

You can answer on your part yourself. But for the sensei and the martial arts club you belong to... 

You will need to ask the question. Let them know how you feel and ask how others have coped with this stage of their growth in the club. The answers are there, if you ask.

Just to give you an example, my wife is a student in the class I teach and one day she shared with me that she loved the session we had today and it was so much better than the boring repetitive session we normally had...

So, I said to her, I can understand you feeling that way, but sometimes you need the right perspective... Because those boring repetitive actions are the foundation of martial arts. But, you make it what it is...

She asked me to elaborate, so I did, by saying, even now, when I do those kick’s, the thought going through my head is not ‘oh not again’. But rather ‘can I do this any better than last week, can I kick faster, higher, vary the technique slightly in mid-flow in order to get it to connect just right on the spot I want it to on my opponent?

With the latter thoughts, you’ll remain excited about your martial arts because you can always improve your best...

Instantly, the look on her face changed and it was a moment for both of us. I then asked, “Have you ever looked at it like that?” “No” was the answer.

This led me to think that if the sensei’s wife feels like that. How do others feel?

Reasons

Your own reasons in the first place... I recommend that you write down your reasons for doing martial arts in the first place, remind yourself of those reasons regularly and add to them as you grow within the art... This will give you focus and eliminate boredom, which can set in if you ‘don’t’ know why you are there.

Payoff

What is the long-term payoff for being involved in martial arts? Again it is different for all. But, universally. A life of spiritual, physical and mental growth... Helping other people along the way to achieve the same through your participation and sharing what you have learnt with them. This and a whole lot more besides.

Here is another way to look at it: 

You will have on average seven coloured belt’s between white belt when you start to black belt. From there, your next step is 2^nd Dan black belt which takes two years before you go for that grade. Then 3^rd Dan which is three years, then 4^th Dan which is 4 years...

The point is this; you can go through your first 7 grades to black belt in an average of 4 years... But, if done right, it will take 35 years to get through the next 7 grades as a black belt. 

So giving up in the first 4 years means you haven’t even got out of the gate yet. You start learning when you turn black belt in Martial Arts... Think about that for a moment...

Close

If you have got this far and you are still thinking ‘nope’ not for me. Then you are probably right. There is a sport out there for you.

If on the other hand, you are starting to think there is more to this than I originally thought. Then welcome, you are certainly right... Go explore.

If you are a non-martial artist, you now know what is shouted about this art is not the essence of the art at all... Somehow, even with how popular, widespread and diluted it has become. It has still kept its real meaning from the untrained eye. 

Too much like hard work...

I think it’s incredible.

Please leave a comment or ask any questions in the box below.

Thank you for taking the time

3 Steps to a Martial Arts Life

Hello there People, Martial Arts (MA) as ‘a way of life’ is the best and most rewarding way to take part in this art... 

Here I’m giving you 3 steps to a Martial Arts life.

1. Fundamentals

Learn the basics; get into the habit of daily practice, even if it’s just for 5 minutes a day. It all adds up. Encompass the whole spectrum... Stretch, kick, punch, kata, self defence, work your cardio and meditate.

2. Inclusion

One of the ways to make MA a way of life is to apply what you have learned to all aspects of, or as many aspects as you can.

It works like this; when stressed at work, you automatically use your breathing exercises to gain control. Stretch in the mornings. Practice your stances when queue, people may think you’re crazy, but you’ll be getting valuable practice time in. Meditate and be still.

When practicing your techniques, visualise your movements and breathe in time with them... When you have extra time, visit the dojo and practice with others, the equipment, kick pads, focus pads, punch bags and dummies.

Dojo

3. Kaizen

You’ve learnt the basics, made time in your life outside the dojo to practice. This has led to MA being a way of life whereby you don’t have to be in the dojo to train...

In fact you’re just as happy at home doing a few light kicks or stretches, to doing a full blown session out in the garden alone or with fellow martial artists... Brilliant.

Now what do you do?

Take it to a higher level... Look at what you do and work on improving one or two

Aspect’s of your art at a time, till you get it just so. Then move onto another one or two aspect’s.

For example, in 2011, I had the idea to get my left leg to kick as well as my right leg (the dominant one). If you are reading this thinking both my legs are of equal kicking ability, then you are the exception.

I gave myself a year to get them singing the same song. Bear in mind I’d been doing MA for over 20 years with the right leg being dominant.

What did I do? 20%more kicking on the left leg always lead with the left leg, all complex kicks on the left and when asked to show or perform kicks of any sort, I would use the left leg. 

3 months into the year and it was yielding. With this encouragement, I continued and I’d say halfway through the year they were evened out. In fact to me it felt like the left leg was faster and more powerful.  Maybe because I used it more.

That’s Kaizen – never ending improvement...

Accomplish the impossible

The 3 steps to a martial arts life, when practiced over time allow some martial artists in their upper years to accomplishing what seems like the impossible. Yet most of the time they don’t brag about it.

Really simple when you think about it... If you are anxious, contemplating and just can’t see the long term benefit of Martial Arts. Hopefully this has given you an insight...

Life doesn’t have to stop for martial arts... Instead, you weave Martial Arts into life. For spectacular long term results.

Please leave a comment, feel free to share if you believe it will help... Incidentally, the idea behind this post can serve as a metaphor for other areas of life.

Thanks for taking the time