what was the hardest thing for you in the first few months of the first martial art you studied, why?
When You started What was
- Thread starter tshadowchaser
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tradrockrat
2nd Black Belt
This ones easy. I still remember the two hardest things about beginning my martial arts life -- Stretching, and keeping my feet pointed in the right direction. To this day I still think about my feet everytime I get into a stance.
Stretching was (is) hard for me because I'm not naturally flexible. I have to work really hard to stay flexible at all, and I lose it real quick. As for the foot placement thing, I don't know why but I had real trouble with it.
Stretching was (is) hard for me because I'm not naturally flexible. I have to work really hard to stay flexible at all, and I lose it real quick. As for the foot placement thing, I don't know why but I had real trouble with it.
OP
- Thread Starter
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I can relate to both of those. I was flexable when I started but my feet had a mind of their own.
Martial Tucker
Black Belt
Easy answer for me: Forcing myself to breathe and relax when practicing a technique or kata.tshadowchaser said:
Why? I guess the stress of trying to remember and replicate exactly something you have just been shown causes most people to "freeze up" and move like a robot. Plus, it's instinctive for most people to think that tense muscles are stronger and transmit more power, when the truth is that relaxed muscles and proper mechanics are the real key in MA.
The hardest thing for me? Definately the terminology, and naming of techniques.
Fear of being hit, still!
evenflow1121
2nd Black Belt
Being able to flow, I had this bad habit of stopping after every move. It went away by the time I arrived at yellow belt. But that was a hard concept for me to grasp at first.
tradrockrat
2nd Black Belt
That's funny right there! :lol:arnisador said:
karatekid1975
Master Black Belt
Same here. I had a fear of being hit. My flexibility (or lack there of) was a problem (couldn't even touch my toes!), and my two left feet LOL. But I picked up on stuff quickly (memorized stuff), but my body didn't want to do it LOL.
But I'm the total reverse now. If I spar, I WANT to get hit (for conditioning), my technique improved a lot, and I can do splits. So don't say "never" hehehehe
But I'm the total reverse now. If I spar, I WANT to get hit (for conditioning), my technique improved a lot, and I can do splits. So don't say "never" hehehehe
Martial Tucker
Black Belt
NOTE TO MODERATOR: This thread has apparently/inadvertantly been duplicated by the same originating member in this same "General Talk" forum.
Would it be possible to merge the replies to both threads into a common thread for the sake of continuity and clarity?
Thanks,
Martial Tucker
Chairman,
Department of Redundancy Department:asian:
Would it be possible to merge the replies to both threads into a common thread for the sake of continuity and clarity?
Thanks,
Martial Tucker
Chairman,
Department of Redundancy Department:asian:
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Getting that sense of balance was the most difficult part in the beginning. Let's face it: most of us wear shoes most of the time, and as a result, without training / conditioning, the muscles of the feet are weak, and ill-prepared.
As time went on, the foot muscles grew stronger, as did many of the other muscles in the legs. After three months, the body stopped wobbling when I was standing on one foot.
As time went on, the foot muscles grew stronger, as did many of the other muscles in the legs. After three months, the body stopped wobbling when I was standing on one foot.
Martial Tucker
Black Belt
Agreed.....I'm 6'1 210 lbs, played linebacker for a big college "back in the day". I still lift and work out religiously, so I know I'm much more powerful than anyone else in the dojang, and most people on the street. So, it's hard for me even after nearly 10 years of MA training to focus on proper technique and not just try to overpower my opponent. My brain has been "hardwired" since I was in jr. high to just run over people. And I don't mind being hit, so I don't avoid contact....That continues to be my biggest MA challenge.chinto01 said:
My personal view is stretching and proper position, as many have stated thus far. My Sensei tells me, too, that I announce my movements.
egg
egg
Mark Lynn
Master Black Belt
The hardest thing I remember was having to execute techniques in front of the instructor. On my first belt test my instructor would give the command for a down block and I would be the only one to execute a good upward block. For a inside block I'd execute a outside block. I just couldn't get it right.
Years later (14 about) I had this same problem everytime GM Remy Presas would come around at a seminar. It was like radar he could be watching me and I would screw it up (the technique) and then he would kindly demonstrate it (the proper way) for me on my poor partner. Funny I don't think I ever ran into that guy again in all of the seminars I attended of Hock's or GM Remy's. I wonder why :idunno:
Mark
Years later (14 about) I had this same problem everytime GM Remy Presas would come around at a seminar. It was like radar he could be watching me and I would screw it up (the technique) and then he would kindly demonstrate it (the proper way) for me on my poor partner. Funny I don't think I ever ran into that guy again in all of the seminars I attended of Hock's or GM Remy's. I wonder why :idunno:
Mark
