The more or less inevitable GKR monthly!
QUOTE
February 19th, 2009
In This Issue
> Perfection Or Persistence
> How Long Have You Actually Been Training?
> myGKR Training Tip Sample
We've all seen that black belt or high-graded student and thought, 'Wow! They're amazing!' We look up to them in every way, and they inspire us to be the best that we can be. But then comes a doubt, "maybe the best I can be just isn't good enough... Maybe I will never be that good?"
First of all - if you have ever thought this, or are thinking this in your training now - STOP! The first step to realising your potential is to take away the limitations you have put on yourself.
Realise that these thoughts were not there when you started karate. Right now however, you have made the choice (consciously or not) to tell yourself that you cannot be that good. So we need to address this and change our thinking.
Where does this negative belief come from? Perfection. It comes from a belief that there are people out there born with the 'karate gene' that makes them amazing from their first class. One of the most common things people will say to someone who can kick high is 'well, you're just flexible'. How do you think they became flexible? That's right, they stretched just like everyone else. Even if they were flexible as kids, if they didn't stretch regularly, they would soon lose it.
Speak to most instructors and they will tell you that when they first started, they were not a natural. No one is perfect - the training itself is a lifelong quest for perfect technique, but even when you reach what may be considered the highest level, there will always be something to improve upon. Some may be better than others at first, but unless they possess the quality of persistence, they will soon be overtaken by someone more determined than them.
TWO BLUE BELTS
Two students begin their training. One is naturally good at sports and fitness, and sails through his training and first gradings easily. The second is uncoordinated, inflexible, and not very fit. However, he is persistent and so he works hard on these areas. He practices at home, watches and trains with DVDs, stretches whilst watching television and does some extra fitness training. Whilst he progresses slower than the first, more natural student, he improves greatly and quick enough to grade at the same time as the other student.
A year and a half later, both students have just graded to their blue belt. The 'natural' has had it pretty easy till now, riding on his already fairly strong abilities. The second student is now of a similar standard to the first student, except he has now developed a discipline of training at home a few minutes every day, he stretches regularly, eats healthily and has really had to think about his karate to get the best technique where it was not natural for him.
Now both students begin their training for red belt - the first of the senior grades. The kata is Bassai-Dai, the longest kata until black belt. The standard that is expected of them to grade and move forward is higher than ever before. Whilst they both are training at the same amount of classes per week, the 'natural' begins to fall behind, and gets frustrated that he is not improving as much as before. However, the second student is flying. He still does all the extra training he was doing before, except now he isn't doing it to catch up. Now he is moving above and beyond what is expected of him for his grade. Whilst other students do the bare minimum, this student is doing whatever it takes to unleash his potential. By the time both students are assessed for their red belt, the natural is not ready to attempt the grading - but the persistent student is.
Nobody is born with perfection. Even those with an initial advantage must work hard every day to stay ahead of their competition. Those who start with either a lack of flexibility, coordination, fitness do not have to stay at that level - with hard work and persistence, they can overtake even the best competition.
How often do you train, once a week, twice a week, perhaps more? If you trained once a week for 6 months without missing a single class... you could proudly say "I've trained in karate for 6 months" when in fact, you've only actually trained for 26 hours. 26 hours? That’s only just over a single day in 6 whole months! Amazing isn’t it? Now I realize that not everybody can make it to a class every night, but there are ways around this.
If you only have one free night to go and train but would like to get better, do both the early and the late class (the second class is actually much cheaper also)
If there is some reason that you genuinely can’t make both classes then its time you started training at home to fill in your gaps and catch up on your training.
I want you to read all of these questions and answer them honestly:
1: how often do you practice your kata?
2: how often do you practice kumite drills?
3: how often do you practice kihon/basics?
4: how often do you work on your fitness?
5: how often do you stretch?
My answer to all of those questions was EVERY DAY... what was yours?
You don’t have to do it every day, but once per week is not enough if you want to:
- Reach your potential
- Lose weight
- Increase endurance
- Increase flexibility
- Increase muscular strength
- Grade sooner rather than later
So now lets go back to the title of this article:
HOW LONG HAVE YOU ACTUALLY BEEN TRAINING?
Lets figure it out with a few questions... if you want a more accurate figure you will have to go into real detail... these questions are to give you a ROUGH idea of how long you have actually trained for.
1: How many months/years/weeks have you been training?
2: How many classes do you attend per week?
3: Do you attend the first class (1hr), the second class (1hr, 30mins), both classes (2hrs, 30mins)
4: How often do you miss a class?
5: How often do you attend seminars?
Here is a basic example:
1: How many WEEKS have you been training? (2 years) = (104 weeks) - (4 weeks for 2 christmas') total = 100 weeks of training.
2: How many classes do you attend per week? (1 classes per week) total = 1
3: Which first class do you attend? The first class (1hr)
4: How often do you miss a class? (never)
5: How often do you attend seminars? (never)
TOTAL: 100 hours. (that’s under 4 days in 2 years!)
Sounds complicated? Well it is, but if you want an accurate reading of how long you have ACTUALLY been training then it is well worth it!
What We Learn In The Dojo Applies To Our Life
Relaxed technique has been a common theme throughout the articles of the past month, discussing how it is pivotal for improved kata, kumite and even self-defence.
What we must remember is that karate training – whether basics, kata or kumite aims to equip people for life. In other words, all the tangible principles we learn in the dojo are also metaphorical lessons for our life outside the dojo.
When karate was originally taught in Okinawa, it was to teach sons to become noble; self-defence was secondary. They believed the hard physical training developed mental strength, and the perfection required to develop a habit of perfection in life.
Most people tend to be too tense in their karate and to get back on track, need constant reminders to relax in their technique. Being relaxed leads to faster, sharper, stronger technique.
Once again as karate reflects life, most people tend to be too tense in their day-to-day lives, stressing over every small thing that is happening or might happen.
While we need to remind ourselves in the dojo of the benefits of being relaxed, we also need to remind ourselves in life to relax.
Lets face it; we are never short of challenges in life. Today’s children and adults alike have more demands than ever before. No wonder so many people die young through stress each year.
Karate training tries to teach us that when we have challenges in our lives, instead of harping and stressing, we should try to stay relaxed, and control our breathing.
Being relaxed is not only far better for our health, we are able to think more clearly, make better decisions and take better action. Not to mention we are more pleasant to be around.
In This Issue
> Perfection Or Persistence
> How Long Have You Actually Been Training?
> myGKR Training Tip Sample
We've all seen that black belt or high-graded student and thought, 'Wow! They're amazing!' We look up to them in every way, and they inspire us to be the best that we can be. But then comes a doubt, "maybe the best I can be just isn't good enough... Maybe I will never be that good?"
First of all - if you have ever thought this, or are thinking this in your training now - STOP! The first step to realising your potential is to take away the limitations you have put on yourself.
Realise that these thoughts were not there when you started karate. Right now however, you have made the choice (consciously or not) to tell yourself that you cannot be that good. So we need to address this and change our thinking.
Where does this negative belief come from? Perfection. It comes from a belief that there are people out there born with the 'karate gene' that makes them amazing from their first class. One of the most common things people will say to someone who can kick high is 'well, you're just flexible'. How do you think they became flexible? That's right, they stretched just like everyone else. Even if they were flexible as kids, if they didn't stretch regularly, they would soon lose it.
Speak to most instructors and they will tell you that when they first started, they were not a natural. No one is perfect - the training itself is a lifelong quest for perfect technique, but even when you reach what may be considered the highest level, there will always be something to improve upon. Some may be better than others at first, but unless they possess the quality of persistence, they will soon be overtaken by someone more determined than them.
TWO BLUE BELTS
Two students begin their training. One is naturally good at sports and fitness, and sails through his training and first gradings easily. The second is uncoordinated, inflexible, and not very fit. However, he is persistent and so he works hard on these areas. He practices at home, watches and trains with DVDs, stretches whilst watching television and does some extra fitness training. Whilst he progresses slower than the first, more natural student, he improves greatly and quick enough to grade at the same time as the other student.
A year and a half later, both students have just graded to their blue belt. The 'natural' has had it pretty easy till now, riding on his already fairly strong abilities. The second student is now of a similar standard to the first student, except he has now developed a discipline of training at home a few minutes every day, he stretches regularly, eats healthily and has really had to think about his karate to get the best technique where it was not natural for him.
Now both students begin their training for red belt - the first of the senior grades. The kata is Bassai-Dai, the longest kata until black belt. The standard that is expected of them to grade and move forward is higher than ever before. Whilst they both are training at the same amount of classes per week, the 'natural' begins to fall behind, and gets frustrated that he is not improving as much as before. However, the second student is flying. He still does all the extra training he was doing before, except now he isn't doing it to catch up. Now he is moving above and beyond what is expected of him for his grade. Whilst other students do the bare minimum, this student is doing whatever it takes to unleash his potential. By the time both students are assessed for their red belt, the natural is not ready to attempt the grading - but the persistent student is.
Nobody is born with perfection. Even those with an initial advantage must work hard every day to stay ahead of their competition. Those who start with either a lack of flexibility, coordination, fitness do not have to stay at that level - with hard work and persistence, they can overtake even the best competition.
How often do you train, once a week, twice a week, perhaps more? If you trained once a week for 6 months without missing a single class... you could proudly say "I've trained in karate for 6 months" when in fact, you've only actually trained for 26 hours. 26 hours? That’s only just over a single day in 6 whole months! Amazing isn’t it? Now I realize that not everybody can make it to a class every night, but there are ways around this.
If you only have one free night to go and train but would like to get better, do both the early and the late class (the second class is actually much cheaper also)
If there is some reason that you genuinely can’t make both classes then its time you started training at home to fill in your gaps and catch up on your training.
I want you to read all of these questions and answer them honestly:
1: how often do you practice your kata?
2: how often do you practice kumite drills?
3: how often do you practice kihon/basics?
4: how often do you work on your fitness?
5: how often do you stretch?
My answer to all of those questions was EVERY DAY... what was yours?
You don’t have to do it every day, but once per week is not enough if you want to:
- Reach your potential
- Lose weight
- Increase endurance
- Increase flexibility
- Increase muscular strength
- Grade sooner rather than later
So now lets go back to the title of this article:
HOW LONG HAVE YOU ACTUALLY BEEN TRAINING?
Lets figure it out with a few questions... if you want a more accurate figure you will have to go into real detail... these questions are to give you a ROUGH idea of how long you have actually trained for.
1: How many months/years/weeks have you been training?
2: How many classes do you attend per week?
3: Do you attend the first class (1hr), the second class (1hr, 30mins), both classes (2hrs, 30mins)
4: How often do you miss a class?
5: How often do you attend seminars?
Here is a basic example:
1: How many WEEKS have you been training? (2 years) = (104 weeks) - (4 weeks for 2 christmas') total = 100 weeks of training.
2: How many classes do you attend per week? (1 classes per week) total = 1
3: Which first class do you attend? The first class (1hr)
4: How often do you miss a class? (never)
5: How often do you attend seminars? (never)
TOTAL: 100 hours. (that’s under 4 days in 2 years!)
Sounds complicated? Well it is, but if you want an accurate reading of how long you have ACTUALLY been training then it is well worth it!
What We Learn In The Dojo Applies To Our Life
Relaxed technique has been a common theme throughout the articles of the past month, discussing how it is pivotal for improved kata, kumite and even self-defence.
What we must remember is that karate training – whether basics, kata or kumite aims to equip people for life. In other words, all the tangible principles we learn in the dojo are also metaphorical lessons for our life outside the dojo.
When karate was originally taught in Okinawa, it was to teach sons to become noble; self-defence was secondary. They believed the hard physical training developed mental strength, and the perfection required to develop a habit of perfection in life.
Most people tend to be too tense in their karate and to get back on track, need constant reminders to relax in their technique. Being relaxed leads to faster, sharper, stronger technique.
Once again as karate reflects life, most people tend to be too tense in their day-to-day lives, stressing over every small thing that is happening or might happen.
While we need to remind ourselves in the dojo of the benefits of being relaxed, we also need to remind ourselves in life to relax.
Lets face it; we are never short of challenges in life. Today’s children and adults alike have more demands than ever before. No wonder so many people die young through stress each year.
Karate training tries to teach us that when we have challenges in our lives, instead of harping and stressing, we should try to stay relaxed, and control our breathing.
Being relaxed is not only far better for our health, we are able to think more clearly, make better decisions and take better action. Not to mention we are more pleasant to be around.
Call me an uneducated peasant here, but I didn't think that karate was originally taught in Okinawa to make Fathers sons into a better class of person...... and if I want to be picky about it, then i'm fairly sure the Feudal System had been abolished at least 5 decades before "modern" karate came about...
As to how long I've been training..... Even with GKR I only managed 10 classes a month (at best!) due to work commitments, now it's roughly 8 classes - but it's a different syllabus I'm learning, different Kata, etc.
I think maybe it's not HOW LONG you've been training, but what you've managed to LEARN.
Or maybe it's just a moot point.
