When someone "takes a break" from training, how long is it before really they've quit and aren't on a break any more?

I recall someone I know telling me that they once "took a break" but still thought of themself as "I do karate", until they realised they hadn't actually trained in 6 or 7 years.


Mick

Is "Doing Martial-Arts" different from "Practising Martial-Arts"?

No, I dont regularly attend Karate classes these days, but still do Tai-Chi, if not at classes then at home. I run through kata aswell, just to keep my memory fresh untill I can train regularly again.

I suppose its alot easier to say "i've taken a break" rather then "yeah, I've quit...." Most people dont like to admit they've quit at something.

How about the supposed "karate mindset" that some types go on about? Could it be that if you still have this mindset, then you havent actually quit?

I practice karate very regular. So I would say I'm a practicing karatika. If I was unable to go to my sessions and was not able to practice at home for any lenght of time I would not say that I 'practice' or that I 'do'. I might say that I have a level of karate ability, though.
It is my opinion that if you do not practice or do regular that you can not say with all honesty that you 'do', but rather that you used to.
In terms of length of time, though, I don't know. A month perhaps, for me. But six or seven years? I would'nt say that was a break. More like given up.

These are just my uneducated thoughts. So if they step on toes, I don't mean to.

You could then ask "But what is regular?". I mean, I mow my grass (cos it's not really lawn) regularly. When it grows so high that the dog vanishes into it or the kids play "let's build a jungle habitat" I know it's time for the regular mowing

Is it just a mindset thing? People do take time off for better or worse reasons (depending on your point of view I suppose) but do they mean to go back only days become weeks which become years?


Mick

I think its all in the tense. When i stopped doing karate in 2001 for 2 odd years. I had effectively quit. Now ive been back for 3 years i refer to "i started training in 96 but had a break for 2 years"

I think anything over 1 year is considered quitting. really over 3-6 months could count.

cheers
Freek

I quite often fall on my lessons ie not been going and the rule in my club if you have not been going say for 3 lessons or moreie like a week or two, [bad i know] then replace them as soon as possible so an extra day a week until there all gone.

I have 18 lessons to catch up on, and i know that is very very bad

Last year i was diagnosed with asthma [i had when i was a child, now its come back, and i've started work on fridays afternoons, so thats my excuse

Interesting subject. I would see regular training as at least once a week. a break is any time between 1-3 months anytime after 3 months without training is quit. Thats just me tho.