Karate really for me?

Sleepmed.md · Post by **Sleepmed.md** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 3:13 am

I joined a uechi karate school back in October. Even though I am enjoying learning this style of karate, I am finding it very difficult. I have come to the conclusion that just like everything else, talent is the attribute that matters most. A person can practice one or two hours a day but still not have "it". My instructor says anyone can be a black belt if he wants to be. Is he telling the truth or is that just the owner of a business talking?

hoshin · Post by **hoshin** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 3:43 am

heya;
so you got the newbie blues. thats nothing new. every student has them when they start out. what your feeling is natural. yes anyone can be a black belt if they keep at it. lets look at karate at face value for a second. really all there is in uechi-ryu is 3 kicks, about 7 types of strikes( aka.hojo undo)a punch,2 stances and 1 block ,,how hard can that be to learn. however we train this stuf into our brain for a life time. 3 to 4 years for a black belt thats nothing. it all comes down to the learning process not an end result. culturaly we have a hard time learning karate because we think to much and ask a ton of questions which can only be answered through experience. growing up i could not throw, catch or hit anything in any sport but for some reason i stuck with karate and i am good at (now)..lol the most important thing about training is to have FUN,,i repeat enjoy doing it for the sake of doing it. the more macho bull head junk you put in your training the longer it will take you to actually get it. you cant learn karate though interlectual learning (the people you see good at this in the early stages are mearly good athleats and that dont mean squat) you learn karate though absorbing it like a type of osmosis. keep at it !!!!!!! as long as u enjoy your training you will get better everyday although you may not see it your teacher will.

Hoshin
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Scott Danziger · Post by **Scott Danziger** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 3:44 am

I believe it is true that anyone can be a black belt. However, you have to put in the effort and the training.

It's like your instructor said, "anyone can be a black belt if he wants to be."

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TSDguy · Post by **TSDguy** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 3:45 am

He's right. Give it time. You've barely started.

All these hard, complicated, meaningless things you're learning will start to come together like letters into words when you first began to read. Eventually you won't have to think about where your elbows are and if you're on balance... and maybe you'll find some deeper meanings in it if that's what you're after.

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:12 pm

Good discussion.

However it helps to define "black belt" relative to "expectations" !

What is your perception of BLACK BELT?

What do you expect a black belt to mean for you?

GEM sensei and I were joking yesterday while at lunch at this nice Irish bar after the promotional in New Hampshire.

There were a number of mean looking bikers sitting at the bar.

One particular big and "bellicose" looking guy was throwing darting glances at us.

GEM was joking about the guy maybe coming over to us and telling us he didn't like the way we looked or something so as to start a fight.

So when you look at the bulk of the guy and cross glances with him, do you feel like a Black Belt?

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Van Canna

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:37 pm

Also be careful comparing yourself to how you think others are doing. Most likely the ones you think have "it" don't think they have "it" either. And if you are comparing yourself to others who have been there longer, don't...that is very unproductive unless you see it as challenging you to get better.

Like the others said, it takes time. Usually you start in karate full of excitement, and then by a few months later it has sunk in that this is work and will take a long time to feel like you're getting anywhere! We've all been there. It will pass if you let it.

And I'll warn you now, this will not be the last time you experience this. There will be other times throughout your training when you feel like you've reached a plateau and that you are not getting any better, or other pressures are taking the fun out of it. Everyone has been there as well, but these also pass if you let them.

I believe anyone can make black belt if they try hard enough and stick with it. The bottom line is how important that is to you. Besides, if you quit now you'll never know if you could have made it.

But don't let the rank blind you. It is the training, knowledge, and experience that matters most, the rank is just secondary. I've been a brown belt for 16 years. During that time I've stuck with it, left it (well it left me, that class ended), came back to it again, and have been sticking with it again for the past 6 years. At some point I'll probably get around to taking a Shodan test. Regardless of whether I make Shodan or not though, Uechi Ryu is a part of me and the training will always be with me.

Good luck!

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Glenn

[This message has been edited by Glenn (edited March 18, 2002).]

Ted Dinwiddie · Post by **Ted Dinwiddie** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:49 pm

hoshin writes:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>

3 to 4 years for a black belt thats nothing.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dang! My contemporaries took maybe 6 to 10 years. I was 3 or 4 in one style/school and then 12 years in the school where reached shodan (last year).

Sleepmed.md writes:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>

Even though I am enjoying learning this style of karate, I am finding it very difficult.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I kept practicing because I enjoyed it. I'm still finding it difficult. Shodan means "first step"; I'm finally a beginner!

Sleepmed, do not compare yourself to others at this stage, only to yourself last year. Remember, it's not the destination, but the journey. There is no destination, just more stuff you're trying to learn.

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ted

"I learn by going where I have to go." - Theodore Roethke

Troll Under the Bridge · Mon Mar 18, 2002 6:48 pm

a newbies opinion:

sleepmed,
I actually study AJJ, but I have had similar feelings. I still have nights where I seem to do everything wrong, land on my head when thrown, mentally slow, don't tap in time, preoccupied with not getting hurt rather than doing the technique with the commitment it requires. This is after more than two years of attendance.

I offer two thoughts for you;

1. The nights that suddenly everything works and you realize you actually are learning make it worth it.

2. Look at the people around you. Is the group you train with supportive? Are they fun to be around? Do they inspire you to learn? Do they add something to your life both on and off the mat? Can you expect more from your dojo?

Another way to look at it. I can learn to fight by walking downtown after the bars close. I can buy a black belt out of the century catalog. But, I can only learn to be a warrior by associating with warriors.

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 7:40 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Everyone knows that they should participate in a physical activity. We watch the ads and agree.. "Yea, I'll sign-up and schedule myself for four sessions a week!"

I find this actually too funny.

We have all had the experience of people throwing their weight around by saying things like: “ It all depends how you train. Look at me I train six days a week six hours a day under master so and so. In contrast, you have trained 30 years twice a week. So you only trained one third of the time that I do, and I will reach your level of “experience” in one third of the time that you did.

Pretty good logic. Right? Except he will most likely be burnt out and gone physically and mentally even before he reaches that “third of time” !

And even if he makes it, he may wake up to the reality that the tough biker in the bar that was throwing glances at GEM and I, might bend him into a pretzel even without any martial arts training himself, whereas the thirty year, twice a week, trained guy, might pick up the biker by the scruff of his neck and throw him through a plate glass window.

I wonder why that happens!

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Van Canna

aiki · Post by **aiki** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 10:23 pm

I have taught martial arts for 34 years, and 60% never reach blackbelt. They get excited watching movies, and then when they find out you have to work for it, it takes on a different viewpoint. Just like accounting, you have to study and work at it. But maybe mentally your just not "into" any martial arts. Then again, maybe you should try several arts. Maybe the art your in now is not really want you need or want. Try Kenpo, or Aikido, or Hapkido, etc. After trying different styles and teachers, if your still not happy, then forget the martial arts, it's not for you. Yours in martial arts, Mc Dowell, 5th Degree Black, Aikikenjitsu.

raulf7 · Post by **raulf7** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 11:16 pm

Two hours of intensive and hard training everyday, in time, will have a dramatic effect.

I have been doing this and more, for 20 plus years.

Have faith in yourself

Allen M. · Post by **Allen M.** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 12:43 am

If you have just started a few months ago, Sleepmed, it is way too early to think about a BB.

Look at what your goals are and determine id Uechi meets those goals.

You are not alone if you are finding it difficult, join the very large club because many of us have found things difficult at one time or other. Just work hard at your current kata, kumite, etc., and don't look any further for the time being. One day you will discover yourself on aplateau where things go together much easier for you and you will wonder why you found it so difficult. Kind of like those who quit never know how easy it really is.

Good luck and keep working out.

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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera

Uechij · Post by **Uechij** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 4:07 am

“…I am finding it very difficult.”

I think this is good. If it’s worth having, it’s worth earning. Martial arts are about many things including self-discovery. This process can be essentially one of the most beautiful aspects of the martial arts in many different ways. You will become a much better person for having endured the challenge. Those who are successful have failed the most and are not afraid to get back up after falling, no matter how many times it takes. Even Michael Jordan has missed more baskets than he has made.

“I have come to the conclusion that just like everything else, talent is the attribute that matters most. A person can practice one or two hours a day but still not have "it."

Beliefs are perceptions that are not questioned. Always question your beliefs by analyzing your perceptions. We all are talented in one way or another. We just have to discover our natural abilities. I think if you stick with your training long enough you will find your talents. When I have students who feel the same way you do, I tell them that no two people are the same, therefore, no two karateka (as it is in my case) should be developing the same way. Rather, they should think about their strengths and weaknesses, accentuating their strong points and striving to improve their weak ones, to achieve progress. Also, categorizing goals can take the anxiety out of being overwhelmed. An example would be, long-term goals; black belt, etc. Short-term goals; what has been practiced this class or session that will help me achieve my overall goal? Keeping a journal can be very useful to monitor your progress as well. This sounds simple but it is very empowering. How much you practice is nowhere near as important as the quality of practice. The person who trains four hours a day\six days a week without a game plan will never be better than the one who practices two hours a day\three days a week with an itinerary. You will become much better at anything you do if you approach your training in a thoughtful manner instead of just going through the motions for the sake of putting your time in. As it has been brought up before in this thread, it is a quite natural process to experience this feeling, as we all do. I think what’s important when this happens is finding an effective way to deal with these thoughts for motivation instead of dicouragement.

[This message has been edited by Uechij (edited March 18, 2002).]

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 4:09 am

...lots of good advice there,Sleepmed!
Here's a little specific encouraging thing you can do which may help you feel more competent, AND improve your progress at the same time:
Watch your classmates as they do Kata and techniques, and try to observe any faults or errors. DON'T mention them!
Just work on these things yourself. As you do, you will pull ahead as they continue to repeat their mistakes until they get corrected...by which time you're way ahead!
Believe me, errors are easy to spot in almost everyone at any level. Watch for stance, foot positions, elbow positions, anything you've been taught to do.
This will not only improve your technique, it will point out that others are making plenty of mistakes too, so you're not the only one.
May I say also that you're in the company of a fine bunch of folks who love their art and we all offer our encouragement.
Hope you stick at it.

Post by **gmattson** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 5:51 am

Ever think about why health clubs are able to brag about having 3000 members. . . When their facility would be overflowing if 100 showed up?

Everyone knows that they should participate in a physical activity. We watch the ads and agree.. "Yea, I'll sign-up and schedule myself for four sessions a week!"

Two weeks later, 99% of them give up. The health clubs love it, since the members must continue to pay their fees and there is lots of room for new highly, but short term, motivated people.

For one of those 99% short-term motivated people, the martial arts may provide you with enough motivation and personal attention, to keep you going when the initial burst of enthusiasm wears off.

Don't think you are unique. It happens to us all. Those of us who stick with a plan or program, get a lot more out of our dedication than good health and self defense skills. We learn to stick with what we start, even when every fiber of our being wants to quit.

I get letters and phone calls every day from people who dropped out and promise one day to restart their karate. Wish I had a quarter for every time this happens rather than any kind of expectation of seeing these people again!

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GEM