I’ve often wondered why, even after 10 years, I am still driven to continue training. In my time I’ve seen many people attain their Black Belt and then abandon the upkeep of their arts. I have been taught that my martial arts is like boiling water, the heat must be maintained or it cools. I do know that when I train, there is a brief period of satisfaction followed closely by another strong desire to do better. It’s usually no longer than 12 hours after my last session that the urge to practice something strikes me. Maybe it’s the idea that my art emanates from me and and I give it form by my practice of it. I am fully aware that, realistically, there is no end to my art and I can always learn more. I am also perfectly content to keep going on like this for the rest of my life. For me, the journey is so enjoyable that I hope I never reach a destination.
Tag Archive: martial arts
<update: I had to move this post due to website issues. This is actually my first post. Sorry for the inconvenience.>
I’m starting this blog because there are so many people in the SF Bay Area who want to get into martial arts but don’t know where to start. It’s here to support my consulting business which I run in the SF Bay Area. My in-person services are very in depth but this blog is here to answer basic questions and help those who need direction. Training in martial arts has been very rewarding for me for various reasons. It is the combination of physical, mental and spiritual aspects that has kept me coming back. It’s not about beating the pulp out of someone, (well sometimes it is) but more about the confidence that training brings. Whether someone chooses to use it as a recreational outlet or for combat/self defense purposes, the results can be very inspirational. There is a not many other activities where your payoff is as directly proportional to you involvement. Basically, you get out what you put in. Choosing a style and a school is very important. Karate and such require a significant time investment. Nothing is worse than training for months or years only to figure out that a different style/school/instructor would have been better suited to your or your child’s needs. I look forward to helping others find their path to a new beginning in martial arts.
Contrary to popular belief, joining a martial arts school is not the same as joining a gym. If you don’t have a personal trainer at your gym, it’s just you and the machines. If you don’t use them, they don’t care. At a school, you build a relationship with your instructor(s). There is a personal involvement that goes beyond the superficial. You are being enhanced by them and benefiting from their years of experience. Likewise, by teaching you, they are further developing their own skills in the following ways:
- By physically showing you the techniques, they are adding valuable ‘repetitions’ to their training
- By looking for ways that you can improve each technique, they are imprinting the information into their brains
- They are being given the experience of working with varying body types
- They are developing their teaching and interpersonal skills
- They are building confidence
- As they demonstrate the techniques, they are physically interacting with someone less experienced than them. This causes problem to arise much as they would if in real world situations.
- Being able to demonstrate techniques by ‘mirroring’ helps develop their spatial awareness
- It’s just plain fun
While martial arts is generally perceived as an individual sport/hobby, the natural progress of the teacher/student relationship is a social one. Try to get that at a gym.
I am so disappointed. One of my submissions to a blog directory was turned down because: “Your blog is brand new and/or doesn’t have enough content to make it truly valuable.” That sounds like a challenge to me!
I’m very new to blogging and am wondering how useful this blog will be. I am doing it for the following reasons:
- I’ve enjoyed my 10 plus years of martial arts training and would like to share the experience with others
- Teaching has given me a totally different perspective on the arts
- No matter how long I’ve trained, there is always more to learn and to improve
- My karate is something that I create from within myself. It doesn’t exist until I do it
- There are a lot of people who have questions about joining a school and don’t know who or what to ask
- Learning about self is the first step in becoming a contributing member of the world and helping others
- I want to see how valuable this blogging thing is to my art