Even if you have been practicing for 5 or 10 years, there is a big difference between once a week and 2 or 3 times a week.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on AUG 2, 2022

Even if you have been practicing for 5 or 10 years, there is a big difference between once a week and 2 or 3 times a week.

 

“Even if you have been practicing for 5 or 10 years, there is a big difference between once a week and 2 or 3 times a week. The quantity and quality of practice is very important.” – Shirakawa Ryuji Shihan – Aikido Shinburenseijuku

I believe this applies to everything that we do in life. It’s easy to miss training, and it’s easy for those missed sessions to add up quickly. Next thing you know, you only trained once or twice in the past month.

Consistency is important in karate when it comes to development. It doesn’t matter how good your training routine is if you can’t stick to it. A lot of karate practitioner’s lack consistent training. I’ve seen students train just a few days a month, wondering why they can’t improve, can’t remember what is being taught, and can’t make the connections.

Ever wonder how or why the other person can execute that technique so perfectly, effortlessly, with such precision and power? Well, simply put – that’s because he or she is consistently training and dedicating quality time to their practice.

Stopping is the worst thing ever. Stopping breaks your momentum. When you choose to stop, you set yourself the task not only of getting back up to the same level as before, but also to the same attitude as before. If you stop, or take a break, you will NEVER get back the time you lose. Sometimes you have to make the sacrifices, you either want it or you don’t. There is no in-between.

Growth and skill take time to develop. Starting martial arts is easy, it’s staying with it that is difficult. The hardest part is having the discipline to keep going. The Japanese have an expression – “Ganbatte” (頑張って), which translates as “good luck, keep going” – It implies the journey or adventure in the martial arts.

Either you put in the time and it shows, or you don’t put in the time, and it shows.

You have to be willing to work to improve yourself in mind, body, and spirit. You have to dislike to fail but aren’t afraid to either, you have to like to be challenged.

Bettering yourself is important and you must understand that growth is a process and a journey. Be appreciative and loyal, willing to give back, as others who have come before you have done.

There are no short cuts and immediate results. If we are putting in more effort to help you progress than you are putting forth, that is a problem. There is no magic bullet. Martial arts training can truly be life changing, but when students fail to “use as directed” then you shouldn’t be surprised when “results may vary.”

Success in the martial arts is just like anything else. You have to show up. No one grows unless challenged. Not physically, not mentally, and not emotionally. Embrace and appreciate it for the opportunity that it is, before that opportunity has past.

 Photo Credit: Shirakawa Ryuji Shihan