Alomst a year of training with a new master didn’t realise how far I have come. Have started some iron body stuff sought of concentrating core tendons and muscles so don’t get hurt when hit.
Been doing it for a few months but the other day realised how far have gone, when im practicing an excersise, my master comes up behind me starts hitting different parts of my back shoulders legs with fully closed fist, hardly even feel it, though was pretty sore the next day but no bruising.
i know if he did that a few months ago i would have been covered in bruises probably would have lost my balance as well.
I rember when i started seeing someone withstand getting hit by plank wood and full on power punches, thinking i’ll never be able to do that.
I’m 30.
In my early 20’s I studied aikido, ran a lot and lifted weights. I was in my peak physical condition, but couldn’t fight.
In my mid-20’s I studied jujitsu/judo and shorin-ryu karate. I was still in good physical condition, and was just learning to fight. That is to say, I could fight in one range pretty well.
6 months ago I was doing forms every day…a lot of them…in preparation for my test to black. My physical condition was moderate/good, and I felt confident in my fighting.
Today, I guess I’m in a “burn out period” like Bent Monk mentioned. I know I’m slipping, but it’s like “Now…what was I doing this for again?” I go to the kwoon and don’t feel as though I’m improving…my concentration is shot when I’m there. I still feel a tight connection to everyone there, but it’s kind of depressing to go when you see others moving with a purpose and you’re just spinning your wheels.
I’m seriously considering laying off to just once a week and trying to ignite my training by taking a different path. Maybe really get serious about running again?
I dunno…I’ve got to do something to get into shape again. Feel pretty messed up overall for “where I am now”.
Depressed enough now? :o
By the way maccajim, I think that your quote was made famous by Jesse Ventura in the first Predator…not Arny.
At 37 and no previous experience with kung fu to speak of aloud-ly or proudly, I’m pleased to observe some decent progress that I didn’t really think I could achieve [so, I can hold my own vs. skilled opponents larger than me- not necessarily winning, but at least surviving LOL].
That surprised me, and I’m in somewhat better shape now, so the goals are being reviewed- do I want to make this a lifestyle, and if so, how? I never wanted to teach [and still don’t care to] so adherence to particular orthodoxies doesn’t necessarily make sense. It’s all for me and my life, you see.
Currently, I’m investigating other schools while maintaining the practices I know. Sure is a lot of different teaching styles, different group cultures [for lack of a better term]. A fun world I’ve stepped into [& still wiping my shoes]. My biggest difficulty currently in that is separating what I know from what is presented, if it is very different- that is, not judging the other art harshly becoz the art I’m familiar with could do XYZ…
Rad - First off, congrats on getting Black. The feelings you expressed are exactly the same as I had in my “burn out” period. It will pass. I actually took a complete break from MA for about a month after I tested for black. I worked out w/friends who weren’t into MA. It was nice just to do mindless reps for a while. Going to a regular gym w/them for a while gave my head a break. Upon my return to the kwoon I was fired up again. Peace & Happy Training.
“kwoon and don’t feel as though I’m improving…my concentration is shot when I’m there”
I know exactly how you feel. I was the same way a month or so ago… I had been training very hard for several months, then one day my training just felt empty… I still dont know why, and honestly, I dont know why the feelings changed. I stepped back from working out for 2 weeks, just relaxing and doing my daily iron palm routines. 2 weeks ago, I started SC. The full contact fighting was a wonderful change of pace… That may be the barrier breaker. I went back to SD feeling like I was getting more out of it… the lower contact sparring was teaching me moves… but not giving me ability to apply them against a resisting opponent. Im not saying that looking into another art will fix it… God knows SD has a big enough curriculum. Just try a few new workouts… Maybe up the sparring intensity… You said you enjoyed running, so give it a shot. Let us know how things go
Let’s see I don’t suck as bad as I did a year ago. I haven’t reached my peak and I can almost say I’ve moved from completely inept to a sloppy beginner. But that’s my fault, I need to increase my training time. Right now I’m only training 10-12hrs a week.
Right now I’m healing an injury so my focus is more on the three connections: hand and foot, elbow and knee, hip and shoulder. Training my mechanics and internal.
Overall, my master has refined my technique and has made it much more powerful and disciplined. I’m feeling good about where I am, can see where it’s heading. Would also like to begin some serious weapons training this winter
Well, I’m 32 now. I was watching a tape of my black belt test recently. And I was floored by how sorry I looked, quite frankly. Granted, the test was long and arduous. And the stuff I was watching was from later in the test, when I was tired.
But that wasn’t really the problem. I was in much better shape than I am at the moment. (I was in college. Two hours of work a day followed by nothing but practicing and goofing off.) But I was far less refined than now. Less intent too.
That’s one of the ironies. As you get older, you (hopefully) get smarter. But you have to work harder to maintain the same level of physicality. (Not a bad thing in and of itself.) So tactically, I think I’m worlds above where I was 10 years ago. Nevermind 19 years ago, when I was a newbie. But physically, I’ve got some serious work to do to get back on track.
“Where are you now compared to when you started training?”
Bigger, stronger, fitter, healthier, more confident, more aware, less naive. I can also hit a bit harder as well.
“If this isnt your peak, when was, and why?”
All things considered, this is my peak, even though I’m just starting out in my current art. I suppose I was fitter when I was doing kickboxing as I ran a lot and did more cardio in class.
“Have your goals and training orientation changed since you began training?”
Not really. I’ve always wanted to have fun, increase my abillity to defend myself and look better.
“How many hours a week on average do you train now?”
About 6.5 hrs. Sometimes more or less. Nothing major. I’ve realised that MA is an addition to my life, not the reason for it. Although, I would like to add a couple more hours to that total.
When you started?
Probably more. I didn’t understand the value of rest days!!
“Just trying to get some good kung fu talk goin…” Nice one.
Anyhoo, Ive upped my training in the past 2 weeks… Probably hitting near 14-16 hours avg per week now… Would like to up it even more, but rest periods are like sleeping on a cloud…
Don’t you guys have girlfriends or something? How do you manage to get in so much practice? I suppose I could fit in a few more hours, but I don’t know how you can do so much…
You gotta settle for occasional weekday @ss.
Monday - Work, monday start helping teach kids SD, SC, come home and do iron palm and weights
Tuesday - College, Work, SD, come home for iron palm and cardio/bagwork
Wednesday-Work, SD, Iron palm, weights
Thursday- College, work, occasional BJJ, SC, Iron palm, Bagwork/cardio
Friday- Work, occasional sparring, drink.(ass getting night)
Sat/Sun- Drink, get stoned, relax.(ass getting night(s))
Originally posted by Radhnoti
[B]I’m 30.
In my early 20’s I studied aikido, ran a lot and lifted weights. I was in my peak physical condition, but couldn’t fight.
In my mid-20’s I studied jujitsu/judo and shorin-ryu karate. I was still in good physical condition, and was just learning to fight. That is to say, I could fight in one range pretty well.
6 months ago I was doing forms every day…a lot of them…in preparation for my test to black. My physical condition was moderate/good, and I felt confident in my fighting.
Today, I guess I’m in a “burn out period” like Bent Monk mentioned. I know I’m slipping, but it’s like “Now…what was I doing this for again?” I go to the kwoon and don’t feel as though I’m improving…my concentration is shot when I’m there. I still feel a tight connection to everyone there, but it’s kind of depressing to go when you see others moving with a purpose and you’re just spinning your wheels.
I’m seriously considering laying off to just once a week and trying to ignite my training by taking a different path. Maybe really get serious about running again?
I dunno…I’ve got to do something to get into shape again. Feel pretty messed up overall for “where I am now”.
Depressed enough now? :o
By the way maccajim, I think that your quote was made famous by Jesse Ventura in the first Predator…not Arny. [/B]
Hey Rad,
I went through this a long time ago. Took about 4 years off and came back under a new teacher in a new state with a renewed sense of purpose. I regret the time I took off as it seems like I wasted some good time while I was in my peak years, but maybe I wouldn’t have the enthusiasm I have now but for the break.
We all get into ruts and its difficult to break out of them sometimes. I hope you find a way out of yours. I’d hate to loose an occasional sparring partner!
