Eye of the Tiger Posted July 10, 2002 Posted July 10, 2002 I was wandering how long or how much you have to practice for how long, till karate can be used as second nature. Where your natuarl fighting reactions is to get into your stance and be ready to fight without having to require conscious thoughts. Where what you have learnt is actually used rather than your instinct being to run into the oppenant and throw punches everywhere. Thanks for you replys _________________ Kickboxer and Wado Ryu Karate SAMA Organisation Former black belt ECKA Karate 15 years old [ This Message was edited by: Eye of the Tiger on 2002-07-10 08:39 ]
G95champ Posted July 10, 2002 Posted July 10, 2002 I have been in Karate for 10 years this comming Feb. I don't know that it is second nature for me but now when I spar and things I just act and react. I used to plan but now it just comes. The same is said for other things. I find myself doing moves to block things like a stray basketball in the gym or a falling book. LOL As bad as I hate to say it the ammount of time really depends on the art you study. The more times you do one move the more used to it you will become. So style may have a bit to do with it. This is why arts like Shotokan are good because it is very simple for a long time and you get good at a few strong moves then later you add to it. As opposed to seeing everything right off the bat and never really working on one thing a lot. Sort of like kid with a lot of toys. You can only play with one at a time. (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."
Taikudo-ka Posted July 11, 2002 Posted July 11, 2002 I think its a gradual thing... you don't realize until some time after that you're not "thinking" about it so much, just doing. Happened to me with music. But then you're never "fully" there - some things I can play easily, some I would need to think, some stuff is just too intricate and advanced, like soloing of fast chord progressions with constant key changes. I'd say the same with karate. I mean, the basic punch could already be second nature, but a spinning axe kick? "Where your natuarl fighting reactions is to get into your stance and be ready to fight " Hehe I thought the real expert just walked up and hit you? Stances were just for beginners like me... "I've never used a special stance" - Musashi, The Five Rings. According to Musashi, "second nature" is where you just walk up to your opponent like you're walking down the street, then cut his head off in one smooth movement. Perhaps for mere mortals, it is best to just try to attain the level G95 talks about - acting and reacting without having to consciously "plan" the moves. KarateForums.com - Sempai
CTpizzaboy Posted July 11, 2002 Posted July 11, 2002 When you study Karate for a long time, it tends to encompass every aspect of your daily life. For other people, its just a hobby, but for me its just my life. When going to karate becomes a chore, I'll stop. So when does fighting becomes second-nature? You know when you'll get there. Does it mean that you will be able to defend yourself in a fight? Yes. Against a knife-attacker? Probrably not. Unless you specifically train for that situation, you won't know how to react. How you train is how you'll react. If you haven't train for a knife attack, you won't know what to do. Remember to be realistic about your training. No one is immortal. Canh T.I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversations.
Eye of the Tiger Posted July 11, 2002 Author Posted July 11, 2002 Except me I also train everyday, in karate and in physical training. Its a way of life for me, from how I eat to how I train.
-- Posted July 11, 2002 Posted July 11, 2002 The more you practice repeatedly, the faster it will be drilled into your memory. It's not really neurological memory that counts, but 'muscle memory'. Slowly, your reflexes shift to what you have been taught, maybe over the course of several years. Then you naturally react with the attacks and defenses of your style. Intense training and some good kihon is the key to it all. Sweat is the fountain of youth! d-----
BlueDragon1981 Posted July 11, 2002 Posted July 11, 2002 Depends on how you adapt to things. Ive been in karate for 10 years and when in the ring I dont think just react. Katas sometimes I have to think for depending on how much I work the kata. If it is one I worked a lot it does become second nature. So depends on how much and how hard you work at everything.
Eye of the Tiger Posted July 12, 2002 Author Posted July 12, 2002 Reflexes definately increased. Though apparently everyone in the world has the same reflexs. The reasen why tennis players can get a serve back from Resedsky is because they know where the ball is going to go. They can tell from the way they move to how they look. I can stop any of my mates punhes and strikes easily. I cant really explain it but I just seem to stop punches becaus I am so quick, I can tell when there gonna punch me so you can react to it. I practice everyday so my body will learn to adopt that as its natural fighting system. So far this has been succesful when for only 2 days of practicing for ages upper arm blocks that turned into my natural reaction to stop a punch.
shaolinprincess Posted July 12, 2002 Posted July 12, 2002 I do believe that it becomes a second nature. Whenever I see people in situations or I am in a situation, I automatically think of what to do. It's what you put into it...1st kyu-Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Federation
rabid hamster Posted July 12, 2002 Posted July 12, 2002 I heard of a guy would was in a fight. anyway, without even thinking he dodged a punch and striked the other guy's head. once it was all over, he could barely remember what happened... he had only be doing martial arts for about a year. but are you serious that everyone has the same reflexes? I think mine are pretty slow... It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye.
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