Arvind

Here is a resource on choosing and using mantras in Hinduism as well as Christian and Buddhist traditions: http://www.easwaran.org/mantrams-recommended-by-easwaran.html The following is another excellent summary of traditional Hindu mantra practice - http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/japayoga.htm Single mantra or many? better to focus on one. As one keeps repeating one's mantra, it becomes easier to focus one's mind. I have read (no personal experience) that any mantra practiced with sincerity, focus and for a long time becomes 'self-activating' to use your term - i.e. rises on its own incessantly.

Thanks Mazzybear! that is encouraging. Regards.

Thank you - definitely appreciate the suggestions.

Thanks to each of you for taking the time! I will go back to class. Key takeaways: Lupin - did make me think if my ego was part of the problem, perhaps it is but I am also concerned about avoiding injury. Hawkmoon - breathe right and avoiding getting stuck in past self-image. JR137, DWx, hammer, Nidan Melbourne - keep practicing at an appropriate pace, try yoga, consult with physio. Thanks again!

Hello to Everyone and belated new-year greetings! I am a middle aged male returning to Karate after having trained briefly for a year, 25 years ago. I realized much has changed with my body – mainly that the body takes much longer to recover from stress and injury. While I am not terribly inflexible with my front- splits (I can get to 10 inches off the floor on the front split), I am at least 20 inches off the floor with my side split (this is on a good day!). In my over zealousness to get the side splits, I ended up straining my left knee, had to go to the doctor, took medication and lay off of training for almost 6 months now. While I was researching this issue, I had the following thoughts: 1. Realize the limits of one’s body and take it slow and steady – it is a balancing act between pushing one’s limits and avoiding injury. I guess I have to get better at this by reading forums and articles on what has worked / not worked for others and paying more attention to what the body is saying. 2. Know the difference between the pain from a good stretch and an injury related pain. One thing I read elsewhere was that poor form (caused by the body compensating for lack of flexibility) could lead to bad muscle memory and injury. Especially for adults lacking flexibility attempting high-flexibility requiring techniques such as a round house kick. In such cases (it was suggested), continuing to go to class may even delay gaining flexibility and that one could make better progress by laying off classes for a while, focusing on getting flexible to a reasonable extent before starting classes again. This would speed up flexibility gains as well as prevent injury and poor form, making it easy to learn the correct form later. I do realize my sensei would be watching for poor form / lack of flexibility but I tend to get impatient with myself for not being able to do a kick properly and put myself at risk for over extending myself. My apologies for the long post! So my questions are (a) whether anyone else had a similar experience and (b) suggestions on whether I should take a break from training to focus this year on strength and flexibility gains? Perhaps the answers mayl vary for different age-groups?

Thank you Zaine! Appreciate your welcome and it feels great to be here. Regards Arvind

Thank you all for your welcome and kind words! Looking forward to be a part of this community... Best wishes, Arvind

Hello everyone - Middle aged beginner here in India, trying to pick up Karate again from where I left it off about 25 years ago. Glad to have joined this friendly forum and look forward to learning from you all! Regards, Arvind