Returning to the martial arts

[Karl K. Wagner]

Hey all,

Since we all share this habit known as martial arts, I am sure all can relate to a little 'backsliding'. Some more than others. By this I mean a little time off, hiatus or fallen out of love, but having a return to your martial arts with a rededication. It can be for personal reasons, for reasons of physical injury or sickness. I am interested in others catch on this topic. As for myself, I took a little time-off during the raising of my kids while adjusting to a new marriage. Now, I am back for the long-haul and take the time daily to kick myself for being absent from my classes, not teaching and not keeping in touch with my sensei and fellow students.

[Berserk]

Good topic.

I stopped training, somewhere in October, last year. I just got fed up because there was no one serious in my class and not one student was regular. Mine wasn't a proper Dojo or anything; we'd Kickbox in the spinning studio of my gym. The instructor is very good (Wushu/Tai Chi master) but I didn't have any motivation, whatsoever. It's all good, though. I wanted to learn how to defend myself and I can do that now.

[Karl K. Wagner]

Having that Camaraderie is important in maintaining a drive in learning. I know just what you are saying. In years past we had a much larger group in a community center. Now, the group has all gone their different ways. Due to our changing locations a few times and all of us getting older and getting distracted by life's problems (health and the striving for wealth). It has even gotten to the point that we can't even find some of our black belts from those years past. It is fortunate for both of us that we can say that our instructor is very good. Sometimes I just want to pump some excitement back into the 'karate scene' here locally to get folks to want to get into classes again. Must be the economy thing?

[Berserk]

Yeah, I had a buddy who was my training partner and he was good. Too bad he had to go back to Brazil, though. His father passed away (Cancer). When he stopped coming to class, I lost interest, as well. I did not stop training but it felt like I'd lost my edge.

Maybe I'll request my instructor to train me privately. He would be happy to do so.

[Bart Scovill]

Good topic. I'm the poster child for taking breaks. I started in 1978 at the age of 14, but I never trained more than four years at a time until my current stint of 15 years straight. I never really quit. Each break had a reason such as military service, college or moving to a new town, and at no time did I ever doubt my return.

I have to admit, I'm taking a little "working vacation" right now. I still go to class and train, but it's more of a maintenance mode than trying to improve. I've developed some back problems that I'm trying to work my way out of, and work and family life are drawing more of my time and energy. But like before, I know I'll always return full on at some point.

[Karl K. Wagner]

With you on that one Bart. Seems like aging has a way of reminding us, daily. Well, were not getting any younger. That is what I remember my Grandma saying when I was about 14. Oh, it is all too real now. Working out does take a little more fire in the furnace. We have to train twice as hard now to stay half as sharp. Still, there is that 25 year old man in me that says "you can do it!"

I have been a "diehard" for training and competing for many years without a de-railing in sight. I never thought I would see the day that I would "lay it down" for anything else. But, I got remarried. My kids from the previous marriage were living with me. They were 6 (young son), 8 (the middle boy), and 11 (the sister 'in charge'). And they were a bit too much for my newly wedded wife to handle when we tied the knot. So, I had to "lay down" my trianing, teaching and competing. Even my seminar chasing was aborted. Things are a little different now that the kids are grown up and out of the house and the wife and I are enjoying our own time on hobbies as well as with one another. My hobby just so happens to be the martial arts.

I am back at it again and intend to keep it that way.

[southpaw0727]

When I first got married I took a year off to get adjusted I needed it but at the same time I regreat takeing that time off.
If I hadn't I was about to be tested for my second degree.

[Karl K. Wagner]

Wives do need to have the 'front seat' when it comes to our attention. My time off was 11 years for the getting adjusted to my new marriage. Then again, I had kids from the first marriage and they were in need of my attention too. Before I remarried, I would take the kids to class with me when I taught. My kids were born into karate. They took it for granted as it just being something daddy does and mommy doesn't care too much for. My older son was a fiesty green belt and my younger boy was too busy entertaining the jocks in the weight lifting room with his "attention getting" tricks. I could barely get a white belt on him if he would stop long enough. My daughter was really good. She was flexible as can be and excellent technician in all means. I had her at a brown belt (first level) at that time. She was knocking them out with her kata... deep stances, high kicks and fast hands, all with great power. She wasn't just flexible, but strong. She enjoyed sit-ups (75 at a time) and push-ups (50 at a time) and made even the older boys look like wimps. Of course you can tell I am a proud father at that.

I was a 4th dan for about 3 years before taking that hiatus. Now I have been back in the picture for two years, sensei has regarded me just the same and gave me the "prodigal son" welcoming back. I was even regarded with "time in grade" for my recent promotions. But still, I do regret having been out for so long and missing the opportunity to work with others.

[SheepDog]

I took "off" about 6 years or so, 1998 - 2004 due to career madness (and getting a master's degree in computer science). Plus, the kids were little. Now they're a bit older and training with us. I did work on firearms some during that time...but now we're back at it with a vengeance. We're due to go up for our 4th dan sometime next year. It does take longer for the aches and pains to subside...much moaning and groaning is to be heard in the mornings around our place, and not from the young 'uns!

[Karl K. Wagner]

Your time off was for achievement. Which is very understandable. There is but only so much time in a day and we can't do it all. Back when I was a teen, my dad (also my employer in our family business) would always tell me that I am going to kill myself with "all that activity". Not only did I work hard all day in the landscape / lawn care business, but I would still have the energy to go to classes 3 times a week. Oh, the memories! I also had other 'activities' I would do. I would rollerskate/speedskate twice a week, play volleyball at a community team twice a week, play raquetball in between those times and play billiards on weekends with my best friend. I could not be still in those days anymore than now, even though I am older. Now it is my wife that keeps me from "doing" too much. All that time, I would involve my kids in as much of what I do as I could. They all learned to skate (shortly after learning to walk) and were all speedskate champs in their age groups. On a given weekend night at the skating rink we would clean-house. I would take the men's race, my daughter would take the 10 to 13 year olds, my middle son would take the 7 to 10 year olds and my youngest son would take the 6 and under first place. We were quite a team. The family that plays together stays together.

Now that I am back into my martial pursuit, my wife agrees with my chasing seminars and enjoys traveling places for them. She would be surprised if I told her that I want to jump back into tournament. But I won't push my luck. Let's keep the wife happy. After all, I am happier and healthier due to her attention.