JohnC

Sometime buy me a cup of Java and we'll discuss the wherefores of the whys. Might even have a go at solipsism. As comment, western culture has tended to become almost exclusively left brain oriented (e.g. logic), to the extent that right brain orientation (e.g. intuition) is essentially ignored. Eastern culture isn't completely the opposite but tends, I feel, to have a bit better balance. Science is based in the measuring of things and so has limited itself almost exclusively to that which can be measured. I think the universe is a bit more complex than that. In the same way that I think there's more to us than surgeons can remove. Finally, as Arthur C. Clarke put it: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Look forward to the cup of Joe, bro.

It's much more complex than that. As with any new training your body has to have time to adapt to the new stresses. Your instructor may work out more frequently / intensely but he's been doing this type of training for years. As mentioned above, adaptation happens during recovery, not during exercise. Thus, assuming you're not going real hard core, you should at least have 24 hours rest between workouts (i.e. a day of rest in between). Thus, roughly 3 times per week (i.e. one day on , one day off = 6 days per week). If you are working hard core then 48 hours (i.e. 2 days rest in between). If you're working one on one, then ask your instructor to mix up the workouts. For example, do a class of technique / sparring, then a class of kata, then a class using equipment (e.g. bag / mitt work). By mixing up the work, you won't be using the same muscle groups in the same way day after day. Working one on one probably means you're actually working far more intensely than if you were in a regular class, as there will probably be far less down time and you won't be able to do the various things students do to rest during the workout (e.g. not putting 100% into every move ). Thus, you probably don't need to do much additional work at home right now. Better is to use that time for your body to recover. If you come to class rested and can be focused because your body isn't aching / not up to the tasks, then I think you'll find you'll progress faster than driving yourself so hard to learn it all right now. Good MA is much more difficult to learn than folks realize, as it has lots of very complex, very dynamic integrated body movements, most of which are put together (e.g. sparring) in non repetitive ways, thus additionally requiring a serious constant mental focus not required in most other sports (e.g. basketball, where most of the action is simply running up and down the court, or moving around somewhat while watching the action on the other side of the court (no disparagement meant to all the basketball fans / players out there )). So, give yourself some time. As you toughen to the work, your output will increase and you'll be able to do more. All in good time. Hope this helps.

To echo Tiger1962, Part of MA training is learning self-discipline. That is the ability to tell yourself "NO" and make it stick. This is especially hard when you really want something and it seems just outside your grasp. I agree with the others, sounds like a classic case of overtraining. The first step of training is to discover your limits (which I think you've now done ). The second step is to GRADUALLY push back those limits and that takes time, regardless of how frustrating that may be. I'd counsel you to back off a bit. You have plenty of time and MA isn't going anywhere. Secondly, the way you're going you'll probably injure yourself fairly soon and then you won't be able to train at all. Relax a bit and enjoy the ride and, interestingly enough, overall you'll probably find you'll progress faster. Hope this helps.

Perhaps another way to look at this question is MA training focuses on how to fight. While MA philosophy focuses on why to fight. Are there not situations where one would choose not to fight even though one knows how? More, are there not situations where one would choose not to survive, even though one selfishly could? I think discussions around MA philosophy are important because they broaden the application of MA past just techniques and tactics. I'm not sure this equates to 'forcing' others into our way of thinking as much as helping create the framework for the student to apply MA training in the real world in an appropriate manner. I feel an issue that keeps coming up, however, is that some couch the discussion in terms of mysticism and metaphysics, which isn't usually very well received in the Western world. Your thoughts?

Greetings, New to the forum but recognize several names. Been doing all sorts of MA for a really long time and look forward to the discussions. Hail to all and well met. John