Journey to a new style...

[_Simon_]

I'm kind of facing a similar situation, though for me it's really just life that has been limiting my amount of dojo time. Like you, I also push myself to train at home but I have felt a little demoralized because I have not made it to the dojo as much as I want to. I still have the drive and I think maybe it's just a phase. Maybe you just need a little break Simon so you can reset mentally. I can definitely see people getting burned out in MA or losing interest but you seem like you are very passionate about it. So maybe you just need a little break so you can reevaluate and take some time. I'm sure you will be back in the swing of things soon enough my friend.

Thank you, that makes perfect sense actually. It's possible I'm trying to pile on too much (not only expectation, but the thought that increasing training elsewhere will make that feeling go away) and force motivation, perhaps taking a step back would help.. appreciate that, hope you figure things out soon too

 

[_Simon_]

Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s ok to take a break.

I'll admit, I teared up at that. Obviously hit something deep in me, thank you

 

[_Simon_]

A good sensei can provide these things, but they are rare. This may be a good time to forget adding new things and work on depth. You say you've discovered things on your own - good! Keep on this path. Discover the nuances of hip motion, spring from your legs, relaxation for speed and new body feel. Do your moves a bit differently each time experimenting with these elements.



Conditioning you can do on your own - get creative. Work on tactics, practice combos that feel good to you till they become spontaneous. Visualize an opponent and how he might react and possible counters. Read Motobu (and other masters) and get some idea of old-style karate fighting strategy.

This is worthless training. As has been said by others see things as a beginner. Instead of doing reps 1 ,2, 3, 4..., approach it as 1, 1, 1, 1... doing each one as if it's the first.

Don't stress over things. Keep it enjoyable, or at least interesting.

Thank you, all great thoughts. Yeah I think part of that seeking depth is in trusting myself. I've been able to discover a great deal this way. I'm training at home today soon so will explore a bit, thank you!

 

[_Simon_]

Did some training, felt okay. Went for a run around the big lake nearby, visited the geese and their babies. Did some shadowsparring just feeling the flow and enjoying the movement.

Bagwork, 6 rounds alternating 2min rounds more focused on combos, flow and footwork; and 30s all out full power rounds.

Sanchin, Naifunchi Shodan and Tensho katas, along with a few others. Felt really lost and empty after this and couldn't really do much more, but did a little extra movement. Strangely drawn to Seisan kata which I did after I was officially finished. Lots of really fascinating varied dynamics in that one I've been exploring...

Felt good to move and sweat. Feel a little clearer, or more at ease with not being clear haha.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Did some training, felt okay. Went for a run around the big lake nearby, visited the geese and their babies. Did some shadowsparring just feeling the flow and enjoying the movement.

Bagwork, 6 rounds alternating 2min rounds more focused on combos, flow and footwork; and 30s all out full power rounds.

Sanchin, Naifunchi Shodan and Tensho katas, along with a few others. Felt really lost and empty after this and couldn't really do much more, but did a little extra movement. Strangely drawn to Seisan kata which I did after I was officially finished. Lots of really fascinating varied dynamics in that one I've been exploring...

Felt good to move and sweat. Feel a little clearer, or more at ease with not being clear haha.

I skipped my regular Sunday workout and instead did a 10 mile fast trail ruck with my wife. 1500 ft elevation gain with a 25 lbs pack. 2 hours and 15 minutes.

 

[Fungus]

Dunno. Just struggling bad with training. Pushing through and training when I don't feel like it doesn't really always help. I'll train and sometimes be like, "Okay so I did that.".

Maybe it's just a phase but it's felt slowly dawning and building upon me over time. Perhaps just need to shake things up. I'm not getting the depth at my current dojo that I'm after, but then can anyone else provide that for me except myself and my own experiential undertaking? Is the depth I seek something that I go through on my own, making karate my own? I have already made substantial discoveries on my own, but I don't know if I want to continue grading if it's just to add more 'things'.

Maybe it depends on kind of depth you seek and to help what?

Just as with life overall there are so many components and so much variety, and not everyone is motivated by the same details. One sensei said at our club, talking generally about this and what you seek or even "need" or "want" form your Martial arts journey, any what drives you, no-one else can tell you. In particular not your sensei.

Some people want to fit in and follow the standard and take prid it, some enjoy sticking out and always doing things with a tweak. Some seek internal development, some need external confirmation. Some seek excercise, cultural connections or just social context. I think the list goes on, you can do MA for many reasons, and choose a particular one for many reasons...

but I don't know if I want to continue grading if it's just to add more 'things'.

This doubts makes perfect sense to me unless are mainly driven by belt ranks. I'm not saying it would be wrong, just that if that's not the case, you seem to do the right thing to question it. Questioning things is the best way to learn for me.

That's all, for anyone reading, thank you for listening, truly. Would love to hear if anyone else has gone through similar things and how they approached it.

Generally I have a few different things I enjoy to dig very deep into, and that I want to take on seriously. MA is one of them, but somethings switching between perspectives gives new energy and new insights. Sometimes I deep dive into sometihng for 3 years and "finish it", sometimes I get back to it 5 years later. For me the things are mostly different science related things. But many different things tend to have unifying principles. So far I am only 3 years deep into MA and I feel there is a long way do go, the last time I finished a 3-4 year project actually lead my back to an old path, that cause me to revise and even older project that was 25 years old.

 

[Yokozuna514]

Osu, Simon. What's going on mate ? Sounds like you hit a low point. This is where the years of training come in. Thinking about the journey you've been on. The ups the downs, it is all part of it. You may feel like it is a struggle and that is completely fine. You came to the board and let it out. People are encouraging you and giving advice on how to get your groove back.

If you were in my dojo, I would smack you in the. chest and tell you to remember that training is for you and for you alone. Belts won't get you on the bus for free. There is no plaque for just showing up. It's easy to go when you are motivated but the grit comes out when you train and you are not.

Take a moment and breath. Remember you will get through it and you will continue if that is what you want to do. The strongest motivation comes from within so work through and find your fire again.

Good luck,

Y

 

[HighKick]

So... I'm really struggling at the moment. With training... with life as well which may be impacting, but my motivation in martial arts has just been barely there...

Been managing to get to the dojo just once a week, but missed a full week recently. Still been training at home but even that has been challenging. Not really sure why I'm writing but maybe moreso to put it out there and get it out.

My current club I'm just really struggling with and questioning I guess.. there's some great stuff we do train, but just seeing alot where we lack and alot of places I really want and need to develop. I miss sparring and conditioning. Sort of don't feel like I'm being challenged enough, and while I'm learning new "things" (kata), I'm not really getting much feedback apart from just excessive praise. Learning the superficial form (and bunkai) and then that's it. I want the feedback, and moreso I want that deeper exploration and feedback on how to improve. I can't expect one club to have everything I love, that's why I've been meaning to crosstrain at the other place I mentioned, but struggling to get to that. Anxiety is holding me back there I'm well aware.

There is clearly still motivation for training on some level, even the joy of the movement itself, so I'm really just trying to hone in on that utter simplicity. It reminds me I'm alive even when I don't feel it. It's like all the life energy has gone or been sapped from my training. I don't feel it as much and not as excited as I used to be about it all.

Dunno. Just struggling bad with training. Pushing through and training when I don't feel like it doesn't really always help. I'll train and sometimes be like, "Okay so I did that.".

Maybe it's just a phase but it's felt slowly dawning and building upon me over time. Perhaps just need to shake things up. I'm not getting the depth at my current dojo that I'm after, but then can anyone else provide that for me except myself and my own experiential undertaking? Is the depth I seek something that I go through on my own, making karate my own? I have already made substantial discoveries on my own, but I don't know if I want to continue grading if it's just to add more 'things'.

Perhaps my expectations on others and myself are way, way too high.

That's all, for anyone reading, thank you for listening, truly. Would love to hear if anyone else has gone through similar things and how they approached it.

I just now read your post and very much appreciate your candor and honesty. It speaks loudly to the integrity of this site and the people on it.
It is cliche I know but everyone goes through these slumps, regardless of their physical/mental conditioning or experience.
Honestly, ride it out is the best advice I can give you. I would not say that to everyone but you are a seasoned martial artist and know the drill. It doesn’t come all at once and certainly doesn’t always make sense at first.
There is a great value in the lulls. Hard to see it when you are in them but they are there.
If you are still willing and able to spar hard and your current club does not offer it, that is something to seriously consider. It is integral to any good program, at least up to a certain age/level IMHO.
Hang in there and talk to your instructor (s). The face to face interaction is priceless and will really, really help.
You got this.