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

5 Hidden Gems for Busy Parents who do Martial Arts

Hi Guys, you lead busy lives, ferrying kids around, working hard, daily house chores, stress at work and sometimes, even at home.... maybe not enough hours in the day to get things done as it is...

So why in the world would you want to take on a sport that is renowned for its commitment and dedication to become proficient at it?

Put simply, because it gives you so much back in return... Hidden because they are not gems you would normally associate with the sport.

But here are 5 Gems for You busy parents who do Martial Arts. 

Tranquility

Quality time spent participating in a sport with your kids or energy and vitality you get from martial arts can encourage a little more involvement through practice in the sports or activities your children are into outside of Martial Arts. 

But let’s say your kids also participate in martial Arts. It is very rewarding sharing that time with them, watching them go through their trials and tribulations and also for them watching you go through the same.

A lot of parents work long hours and although they are at home with the kids for long periods. It can sometimes be doing individual things without a great deal of interaction.

Family Martial Arts changes that and you find even more common ground and involvement at home, sharing the sport rather than just being their cheer leader.

Flexibility can tend to reduce as we get older, sometimes it’s inactivity and sometimes there can be other causes... But even for Parents who take part in Sports, flexibility can still be reduced if that sport does not contain a program of stretching as part of its curriculum.

Having the Flexibility you get from Martial Arts training is actually directly transferable to other areas of your life and that is both physically and mentally as the mind is directly linked to the body and vice versa. 

You may have seen pictures or watched videos of super flexible Martial artists and thought: ‘Never’. You may be surprised to find that in time, you may be one of those who surprises herself with the level of flexibility attained.

Sense of Achievement. This is an easy one... As you progress up the belts, and to do so you go through a series of grading’s designed to check your level of competence and work on the areas you are lacking

Not just in the dojo, but in your life will mean that you are in a state of constant improvement... which reinforces your sense of achievement across the board.

New Friends and in fact a new social scene if you so desire can be found as you get to know your fellow practicioners and their sphere of contacts... It can be very rewarding indeed.

Stress release.   Stress is definitely the enemy of the busy parent as you try to juggle life and all the things you need to do and the list of to do’s always seems to be mounting. 

Any excercise is a good way to release stress. But more so with Martial Arts. As the nature of this sport is to develop the participant to be mentally and physically ready... The breathing and focus of energy as well as the cardio that you’ll take part in will act as a wonderful elixir for the flushing away of stress.

So, what have we covered? 5 hidden gems for busy parents who take part in martial arts. What you will find is Martial Arts will bring tranquility to your hectic schedule.

Please leave a comment or ask any questions below.

Thanks for your time