Expertise in martial arts

[Humphry]

I came to karate pretty late in life. I began last September at the age of 43. This is after a lifetime (to date) that was spent sitting at a desk during the day, eating junk food, drinking to excess and otherwise living a sedimentary lifestyle. I have been prescribed medication for hypertension but refused to stick with it, even after being lectured by my physician on the importance of taking it. The same goes for cholesterol. I had a high triglyceride count and was prescribe medication for that. At one point I was also told that a quarter of my liver was not functioning and I have the lab results to prove it!

In the last 6 months I have made such a dramatic lifestyle change that my doctor couldn’t believe my results when I came in for my regular check-up. I have lost 25 pounds and am still working on losing more. That’s down to 190 from 215. Without medication my triglyceride levels are now in the healthy range, along with my good and bad cholesterol levels. My blood pressure is now more consistently at a normal range too, and that is also without medication. Liver functioning is good now too.

I don’t attribute this to karate, or at least not entirely. It is the result of severely reducing alcohol intake, better dieting and aggressive exercising. But when my health started to improve, I somehow acquired an interest in taking karate lessons. Or maybe I decided to act on an interest that was always there.

One of the first things I think most new students immediately ask is, “how long does it take to get a black belt?” I was no exception to this but I have realized that I am now in this for the long haul. I feel as if I have awakened from a bad dream of a life lived wrong, and have a new zest to make up for that.

At this point I know my goal for karate is not to attain a black belt; that is just one step along the way. My goal is to attain an expert level of practice. Assume we agree with the generally accepted principle that it requires 10,000 hours of performing any given activity to attain an expert level of proficiency at it. This does not equate to mastery. I don’t have the time left in my life that it would require to achieve that. For most nonprofessionals I think it would be generous to allow for 20 hours a week of practice, or 1,000 hours per year. At this pace it would take 10 years to attain an expert level. So, in fact, one must hold a black belt for far longer than it takes to become an expert.

What constitutes devoted practice? Does weight training or running count? Both will compliment and improve one’s martial arts ability by improving strength, power, speed, and endurance. Or must this practice be restricted to strikes, blocks, kicks, kata, footwork, etc. to contribute to the pursuit of expertise?

As previously mentioned, I believe 20 hours per week is a generous program of practice for someone who is not pursuing a career in a given activity. I personally fall short of that, even if supplemental training is allowed to be considered in the equation. Currently I spend 2 hours per week in class time, and no less than an hour a day (but let’s call it an hour) of karate specific practice such as kata or working out with my B.O.B. or other similar exercises. In addition I weight train 3 days a week for an hour each session and I power walk at least 3 hours each week. This amounts to 9 hours of karate specific and 6 hours of additional training. I suppose I could further reduce the “supplemental” training to make more time for karate specific training, but in fact I already did that when I added karate in the first place. I have specific goals I am working towards in weight training too, and eventually in endurance training.

It will be a long road ahead, and for me a goal such as this must remain secondary to remaining a good companion to my wife. That is my most important focus, no matter what. She always lived a more healthy lifestyle than I did, but at least I was always a good companion to her and I don’t want that to suffer as a result of my new interests.

Many of you here are probably at an expert level of practice, as defined above. So what do you think? (experts and nonexperts alike) First of all, do you even agree with the definition? Do you think supplemental training should be considered to count towards that goal? What level importance did you (or do you) place on achieving this goal? Above your marriage? Above your job?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[sojobo]

Interesting to note you study Wado-ryu.

I have been training in Wado for over 25 years - and think I can count on the fingers of one hand, the number of folk who have cracked it.

I certainly haven't

Sojobo

[shadowspawn]

I don't agree with the definition mostly because I don't agree with the title. IMO, you aren't "either an expert or not" depending on certain criteria. If members (high-ranking or not) consider you an expert, you are an expert to them. This same idea does not carry over to every person you meet. This reminds me of a little quote by Margaret Thatcher that I like to throw at people who make a big deal over titles: "Being powerful is a lot like being a woman: If you have to tell someone that you are, invariably, you are not."

As per training etc. that really depends on what you consider to be most important. Some people put an emphasis on the ability to commit to fast and powerful techniques. Others put an emphasis on kumite. Some put an emphasis on kata. And others still put an emphasis on teaching ability and leadership. They each have their merits and outside training can help with a few of these (speed/power and, invariably, kumite) but depending on what you value most, it may mean practically nothing.

As per importance, a good amount went into karate. It was definitely on my priority list but it was not "the" thing. It just kind of fell into the same category as my piano playing. It's not something I dedicate every moment of my life to, but it is definitely something that has kind of blended into my lifestyle.

[Dobbersky]

Interesting to note you study Wado-ryu.

I have been training in Wado for over 25 years - and think I can count on the fingers of one hand, the number of folk who have cracked it.

I certainly haven't

Sojobo

I'm sure I read somewhere that Otsuka Sensei, considered he still had lots to learn and never considered himself an expert?

I had to stop practising Wado Ryu as I couldn't dedicate enough time to studying the art along side my core style.

To consider oneself as an "expert" is to miss what it it that the Ryu, the Do is all about. I will remain a student always, never an expert, as I will always be open to learning about my chosen path

OSU!!!

[Humphry]

Sojobo

To consider oneself as an "expert" is to miss what it it that the Ryu, the Do is all about. I will remain a student always, never an expert, as I will always be open to learning about my chosen path

OSU!!!

I like your line of thinking here, but I don't necessarily think the two (student and expert) have to conflict. As an example, look at golf. If a perfect game (hole in one on every hole) has never been played on a par 4 course, can it still not be said that the professional players on the PGA tour are still experts in the field? Each of these players are the top level in the sport, and yet they each still continue to train and improve their abilities.

To attain a pilot license (or black belt?) for a single engine airplane requires 40 hours of flight time. The license is the accomplishment, but that it hardly expert status.

I can see how my top post got too hung up on the strict definition of "expert" and that is my mistake. But I think the larger point and questions I was digging for was more related to the journey as a whole. 10,000 hours should confer a certain degree of proficiency in a given activity, but that is as arbitrary as rank is, I guess. But my thought was more about what contributes to proficiency (dedicated practice of the art, and/or supplimental training in weights, edurance, etc.), and what level of focus does or did it take to get you there.

I certainly agree that even the greatest have more to learn.

[bushido_man96]

I wouldn't get too caught up in the numbers required to acheive mastery or expertise in a given endeavor. Instead, busy yourself by using the time you do have to devote to your endeavors by ensuring the practice is quality each time.

As for being titled as an "expert" or a "master" goes, don't worry too much about that, either. When other experienced people start referring to you as such, and you discount them and point them in someone else's direction, well, then maybe you have something...

[Dobbersky]

I believe Funakoshi Sensei said it would take 1000 days to a specified level and 10000 days to become proficient or something like that!

That's 3 years and 10 years respectively

[MasterPain]

I believe Funakoshi Sensei said it would take 1000 days to a specified level and 10000 days to become proficient or something like that!

That's 3 years and 10 years respectively

Musashi said "From one thing, learn 10,000."

I think that is far more important.