One guy's karate journey

shortyafter · Orange Belt

Thank you sensei8. I also appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging feedback.

shortyafter · Orange Belt

I will pose this question to my karate friends:

When is it OK to miss class?

I'm not really sure if that's my question, to be honest, but I'm really having a hard time "stopping" in general. Not this Tuesday but the previous one, I came down with a semi-bad cold, but since I'm young and healthy I was able to power through all my obligations (work, exercise, healthy eating, etc.) I only missed 1 night of karate, because I have to go to class on my bike in the cold weather, and figured the better option was to stay home and stretch and do kata at my house.

We had a 4 day weekend, where I also didn't really take time to rest, and I thought I was better but come this Tuesday my throat starts killing me. Since then I've been getting progressively worse with minor fluctuations.

I texted my instructor this morning to let him know he shouldn't expect me in class today. Honestly, it was hard for me, because I hate missing class. One of the things I'm proudest of is my persistence - I have near perfect attendance and it's because I know the value of persistence. I don't stay home because "I don't feel like it today". But these last 2 months I've already missed 3 classes (one because I missed a flight, and 2 now because of being sick).

Let me be clear, I'm not puking up or anything. I could definitely make the effort and go. But I feel like, part of the reason I haven't cured completely is because I'm pushing myself too hard. In all areas, including my karate. It all goes back to respecting the process, I think.

What do you think folks? Should I feel guilty? My heart tells me that, of course not, but my mind seems to think that if I miss class it means I'm going to fall behind and my karate is going to fall apart! So please, give me your honest feedback and thoughts.

Thank you.

JR 137 · Black Belt

shortyafter · Orange Belt

JR, thanks much for your thoughtful post. That's a good point about exercise... I felt like I could just power through but because my health only seems to be getting worse I think I may have been mistaken. I just went for a very relaxed walk just to get out of the house a bit, and now I'm going to do some very relaxed stretching just to keep the flexibility going.

As for life obligations... that is so true also. For me karate is about living a healthier and happier life... so as soon as karate starts getting in the way of that, I should know that I'm doing it wrong. Whether that be because of family obligations, health obligations, or just taking time to go do something fun every once in a blue moon.

Finally - "it's not a race". I needed to hear that. Thanks, mate.

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

You also need to take into consideration whether or not you'll run the risk of getting your classmates sick. Persistence is a good thing, but if some of your classmates get sick, they won't appreciate your dedication as much as you do. Taking a few days to heal up and get better will be much more beneficial to your training in the long run.
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sensei8 · KF Sensei

shortyafter · Orange Belt

bushido_man96 - That's a good point. Thanks.

Sensei8 - Also a good point. You're right, this is my journey. And I have to do what's best for me. My instructor offers me the tools, but only I truly know what I want and need at any given moment. Thanks.

shortyafter · Orange Belt

Been a little bit since my last update. I came down with a sorta bad cold, and then another even worse one or just a rebound of the first. Not sure. I've been keeping up with stretching and as much karate as I could, but I have had to miss 2 classes already. Add that to one I missed in January for a flight delay and I'm missing a lot more class than I like to.

I don't have a car and my karate class is about 10 minutes by bike. Tonight was raining pretty decently. I thought about making an effort to go, but then I thought, no. On Mondays I have to show up late anyway so basically it would be 30~ minutes of class for 20 minutes of getting drenched both ways. I bagged it. Instead I came straight home from work and did my karate at home. Some good stretching, some kihon and even followed along on a JKA video just to keep up with some pointers.

They're calling for rain all week which sucks, and I already hate missing so much class. But I'm learning a new way, I think. I believe my persistence is admirable, very much so, but I'm learning that perhaps it was a bit misguided. More and more effort is not necessarily the solution. Torturing myself is not necessarily the solution. You all here have done a great job of pointing this out to me - it's not a race. I am starting to take that to heart.

Funnily enough, I was happy with my kihon tonight and it was nice to get a solid review of the basics in. Maybe I'm on to something here.

Thanks folks.

shortyafter · Orange Belt

Was raining tonight so I stayed home and trained here. Tonight was kata night so that's what I did here. My focus? Taikyoku Shodan, and time allowing, Heian Shodan. Why? The other day one of the teens asked my instructor which kata was the most advanced. He responded Kanku Dai or something like that, I don't totally remember which. But in my head I was thinking - "Taikyoku Shodan!" I didn't say anything because I didn't want to look cheeky or sarcastic. But I don't think any of these kids are anywhere near the point of thinking about Kanku Dai. At least in my case I know I really need to focus on the basics.

So that's what I did. I watched some videos online and got some clarification about the footwork on the turns. In Kyokushin it was explained pretty clearly to me but Shotokan not quite. I also got good advice here on these forums - don't nitpick too much about exact foot placement, everyone is different. And that's also what I saw in the various videos. But I did sort of figure it out and now my turns are much snappier and cleaner. Nice. Punches also are snappier - waiting til the point of impact to fully rotate the fist makes a big difference.

Next was Heian Shodan which looked pretty good, except for that last bit with back stance. I will need to work on that. Which is why I suppose we start with Taikyoku 1 then move up from there!

My instructor told me the other day something cool - he said, a lot of these students just don't put their heart in it! And, it's very rare that he says anything along those lines, about the "metaphysical" aspect of karate. His technique is really good, and he is the 4th dan, not me. But I'm the type of person who could talk for days about the metaphysical stuff. Maybe it's a good pairing, then. But I mean - it was a simple line - "put your heart in it" - but coming from an instructor who doesn't tend to use that type of language, it actually meant a lot.

And that's what I feel like I did tonight. I was less focused on doing everything perfect. Instead I focused on, doing everything with grace. It's not really something I can put into words but I think grace is a good word for it. The "art" side of "martial arts", if you will. And my kata looked and felt really, really good.

I'm on to something here. I am happy with my karate and doing my best to enjoy it.

Thanks folks.

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