1. In class
I guess practicing in class is an obvious. Or is it?
How many times do you go to class because you want to learn something new? You do not want to do the same skills on which you have been working, over and over again. You are tired of reverting to basics when the more advanced techniques are so much more exciting. Where you learn your martial arts skills is the best place to practice, too. Sure, it is a time to soak in information, stretch, push yourself, listen, and work hard. In the midst of all of that, it is still the best place to truly focus on being a practitioner and not always worry about advancement or new skills.
What does being a practitioner mean? It means that along with all the lessons and skills thrown at you, that you prepare yourself to become better. There’s only one way to become better. It means that you must always be aware of the beginnings. The first katas, the proper techniques you learned from day one, the continued respect that was required the first day you walked in the door. You must practice these always, in order to become better.
In my kids classes, there are a few kids who don’t want to practice the beginner forms anymore. They roll their eyes when I say we’re going to start at the beginning, basic form number one. “Why?” they ask. “We already know that one,” they claim.
When I mentioned to them tonight that I am still working on the beginning forms, they ask, “Why? You do?” I grab my black belt ends and say, “A true black belt practices the beginning forms as if they are the advanced forms.” There is always improvement necessary.
They are not mature enough to understand that there is never perfection, even in the beginning forms. The goal of martial artists is to do their best and in doing that, they achieve a better understanding of movements and techniques. When you get more proficient in the basics, you build a strong foundation that flows and peaks in your practice.
Yes, class time is your chance to learn new things, but it is the best place to practice what you already know, too. Do not limit yourself to think that you should only try new techniques or skills when you attend class. Everything you do is a moment of practice, even if it is very basic.
You always need to review and refresh. If Sensei tells you to start with the basics, do it with a willing heart and an open mind. From there you cannot help but get better overall. Class time is not to just learn new skills, it is a place to practice. Your dojo is the foothold of all you learn and the crux of your entire martial arts knowledge.
2. In nature
Have you ever stepped outside and exclaimed, “it’s beautiful out here!” Perhaps it’s a park or a beach or your own backyard where you are standing, in awe of the sky above you and the earth below your feet.
Stand still there for a moment. Take a deep breath. There is something invigorating about fresh air that wraps around you in the midst of a quiet moment.
I have a friend who practices Taiji in Canada. As you can imagine, the air gets very cold. Even in snow he practices his Taiji and push-hands outside. Students join him, bundled so they are not chilled to the bone, to enjoy the movement that literally brings warmth to their soul and their entire being, even with snow crunching beneath their feet.
In Florida, where I live, it gets hot. The midst of summer is not the time to engage the outdoors usually. However, when the fall and winter months arrive, the humidity lifts and you are refreshed as the cooler, but still warm air, floats over you.
In a quiet place, with no one around, you can find your peaceful martial arts self and experience nature at the same time. With no one watching, you are free to experiment and free to enjoy. Who cares if your stance is not spot on or that you choose to yell in moments not required in a kata? It’s only you. The deepest, purest sense of you, one with nature. This is where a martial arts spirit is born. The deep scents and robust sounds of nature increase the artistic expression of the student.
Step outside. Let the air envelope you or even the gentle rain pour over you as you practice the very essence of your martial art. Here, you are a natural practitioner. There are no restraints, and the expanse of the open sky is your only boundary.
3. In your mind
I have told the story before about one of my pregnancies that required that I be hospitalized for six weeks. Each day was an unknown. Doctors would come in to proclaim that the pregnancy would end in disaster any moment. Yet, I carried on day after day with the hope of a warrior. In the end, I won the battle and held tight to the pregnancy and brought a completely healthy baby boy into the world.
During my time in the hospital, I had hours of emptiness and time to just worry or reflect, whichever one I chose. I tried to push worry away and the best way to do that, without moving an inch of my body off the hospital bed, was to practice martial arts in my mind.
When you do not practice for a while, you forget. Even though it feels innate at times, there are intricacies that slip away. Even forms or katas start to blend together. I could not exercise my body while on complete bed rest, but I could exercise my mind.
I would often close my eyes and envision myself doing all of the katas or my one-step movements. I looked awesome! I saw myself as strong and capable and the epitome of an excellent martial artists. It was in my mind! I could choose to look anyway I wanted. So, I picked the best, most proficient view of myself. I remembered everything as I rehearsed in my thoughts with my eyes closed. I walked through it all in my mind. My emptiness and fears disappeared for a while. Some of the burden was lifted.
Surely you do not need a medical challenge or a difficult situation to practice in this manner. I often tell my students that if they are waiting for something, in line for groceries or waiting for an appointment, you have an amazing opportunity. Take just a moment and think through your martial art techniques or movements in your mind. The visualization will help you tremendously. Not only will you remember your techniques, the way you view yourself in your mind will carry over into your actual practice and your reality.
Practice in your mind. It is worth it.
4. Anywhere
There are many places you can practice. No matter what your belt level is, there is always something at which you need to get better. Maybe a test is coming up. Perhaps sparring matches are anticipated. Anywhere you are is a good place to practice.
You can practice at home, in a hallway, in a parking lot, or in your office. In a hotel, on a cruise ship, on the top of a mountain. You can practice yells while driving (that’s a good place to get out your driving frustrations!) or you can practice in your mind while riding the train. I think it is fair to say that there are no limits to where you can be a martial art student, learner, practitioner.
Today, I have touched on my favorite places to practice martial arts. You may choose a different set of favorites. The point is that if martial arts are important enough to you and you want to practice and get better, then wherever you choose to do that is the right place for you.
As I sit here, finishing up this blog post, I feel certain of one thing. Even when I’m not conscious of it, I am practicing. Sharing my thoughts with you is a form of practice. Being a good listener to others is practice. Wrapping my arms around my daughter before she falls asleep at night is practice.
When life and martial arts blend together effortlessly without hesitation, then you are a true martial arts practitioner. If you are not quite there yet, then keep up your physical practice and before you know it, everything you do will prepare you to be a better martial artist and a better person.
xoxo
Andrea
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The Martial Arts Woman book is now available. Purchase through my e-commerce store: http://themartialartswoman.storenvy.com. or on Amazon:
This book shares the stories and insights of more than twenty-five women in the martial arts, and how they apply martial arts to their lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea F. Harkins is a writer, motivator, life coach, martial artist, and public speaker. She was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in July, 2017. Her book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available at themartialartswoman.storenvy.com.
[…] This is something I learned from Andrea Harkins and from Elisa Au Fonseca. Andrea spent six weeks in the hospital on bed rest, so all she could […]
Thank you for the mention!
I liked this article.
I miss practicing a martial art – it’s been some years since I practiced karate (I only stuck with it for a little over a year) and then I tried some judo, but I’m not living in an area of the country right now that’s conducive to finding a decent dojo or sensei(s).
My biggest obstacle has always been doubt – I thought karate was better than nothing, yes, but I didn’t think the training I was getting was making me into a better fighter. When we trained for “actual” fighting (boxing stances as opposed to formal squat-punching drills, for example), we were taught boxing stances and boxing jabs and hooks and steps…I always thought to myself, “so…why don’t I just learn boxing?” I probably would have learned to take a punch doing that, too. As it was, I spent a lot of time practicing katas over and over again…it felt nice going through them sometimes, like a cool feeling egoically at having a discipline and practicing at something directed like karate, but I found them ultimately kind of pointless. We went through all of these elaborate drills and (just the standard) katas, and I didn’t feel like it really did anything…I had the constant nagging doubt in my mind, that it’s very possible to spend my entire life or much of it chasing down a fruitless path of practice. I could spend years doing katas and then meet someone who knows even halfway what they’re doing or just a grappler, and boom…I’m down on the floor and as a judo-practitioner friend of mine said, “then, you’re mine.”
So, why do it? What’s the point in doing something that only sort of works? I’m hoping by posting this to elicit a response from you, a rebuke, that’s drawn from your own experience. I do think it’s very possible I’m wrong, or that I don’t know the whole picture, so my criticism is an account of my personal experience and how I see things. I don’t want to tell you “how it is” with this post, instead I want someone to come up with a convincing rebuttal that’s better considered than the conversational equivalent of, “well, if you don’t like it, get your s*** and get out!”
Thanks!
Excellent!
You embody the spirit of a true martial artist because you practice what you preach. Practicing martial arts is like sharpening a fine blade point. The more you practice, the sharper the blade is.
Thanks Anwar. I try to practice what I preach. It’s easier to preach, though… 🙂
I also wanted to mention that your white martial arts uniform you’re showing under “In Nature”, is really nice!
Ossu! [bow]
Wonderful! Beautiful! Fantastic! What more can I say?
I’ve enjoyed whaling the tar out of my punching bag in my freezing-cold garage before dawn these last few days.
In summer I love, love, love sneaking out early in the morning (5:30ish) right before dawn to walk through my neighborhood and down to a beach at the bottom of a steep bluff – no one is out there except me and the dog. Practicing kata there is awesome. In another park there’s a little tiny pebbly place in the middle of a stream which is wonderful to practice on also. The challenge there is to stay out of the water while navigating the smooth pebbles.
I think my Senseis deliberately don’t tell me absolutely everything that’s wrong with my basics all at once. They let me know one thing at a time so I can work on it. Then when I’ve fixed whatever, they let me know the next thing to work on. I’m sure they won’t run out of feedback anytime soon, LOL!!! Keeps me humble while doing basics, that’s for sure.
Again, thanks for the tips and reminders!
[bow]
You are welcome! Thanks for listening and reading. And, for practicing…even though practice is never ending!
Agreed. Living as a martial artist turns the question from “where do you practice martial arts” into “where are you NOT practicing?”
Hmmm… does eating ice cream on the couch still count. 🙂
Now I recall a certain blog you wrote….in the bathroom??? lol We think alike!
Ossu! [bow]
Ha! I remember that post well, especially as my Sensei said to practice reverse roundhouse kick standing in a doorway (kick the wall). Well – you can guess which doorway I stand in, but how often is private 😉
[bow]