Hey everyone,

 

How are you all doing?

Main Question for today:

What are you focusing on in this stage of your training? Whether it be a specific technique you’re trying to master, a concept, flexibility, strength, it can be anything. 

I always find it so interesting to learn what others are working on right now, especially with the different age ranges and skill level of other practitioners. I feel that it can give me insights and inspiration for my own training. 

I’ve been training on the floor for over 60 years. At this stage of my training my focus is to train as often as possible despite my current health concerns.

The old saying…”If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!!” really applies at this stage of my MA journey. Sometimes my training for the day might just involve me walking around my apartment complex three times. Nothing romantic but essential to my wellbeing both on and off the floor.

Interesting question for sure. 

My focus is on Bunkai and effectivity of it. While mentally focusing on that, I also have to do the boring stuff like stretching (lots of it as I get older) and strength/cardio. 

I am in my early 40s right now. 

I need to do a lot more cardio and strength. 

My short answer would be what my Sensei tells me I need to work on. He is the person I go to for insight on where I need to improve. At the moment that is exploring the kata I am considering for my Godan Grading. 

My longer answer, and considering my own insight, would be in two areas. For myself, it would be structural strength and proprioception. These are two areas I feel I can make progress on despite getting older, but will also give me the best hope of maintaining martial ability into the future. Thus, I am doing a lot of training around strength at points of maximum flexibility and strength under motion. Kettle Bells, Indian Clubs, Resistance Bands, and Body-Weight Exercises are what I am focused on exercise wise. As well as making use of a heavy bag and some other striking tools. Also, doing a lot of pushing/sticking hand exercises in classes too. 

 

The other area is as a coach, and what I would say my focus on there is working on my imagination. What I mean by that is exploring other bodies of knowledge outside of my own background, and experimenting more, while still balancing it with a structured approach for my student's to progress through. This is in Bunkai where I have experimented with other peoples interpretation of Kata movements, or adding in training drills to work on things I have identified my students need to work on. 

I've been focusing more on Aikido and BJJ currently.  I'd like to get to more BJJ classes, but the schedule just doesn't allow it.  My ground fighting needs lots of improvement, so that is a big focus.

3 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:

I've been focusing more on Aikido and BJJ currently.  I'd like to get to more BJJ classes, but the schedule just doesn't allow it.  My ground fighting needs lots of improvement, so that is a big focus.

What’s great about you, Brian, is that you’re quite eclectic with your MA training now by having added Aikido and BJJ to your TKD background. You don’t wait for the cheese (Other MA), no, you seek out for the cheese because waiting for the cheese limits you and stalls you effectiveness.

If I might say, I’m impressed with your training and its intent. After all, if there’s no intent in training, which isn’t you at all, then there’s no sense in training at all.

 

Thank you @sensei8!

My intent has been changing of late, some due to my shoulder issue, some due to age and physical limitations. 

My intent, for many years was on martial arts, forms and application. I have trained a few different styles over the years and intent and applicantion change slightly with the style. 
 

However, just last week actually, I came to the conclusion that fitness is most important and I need to do more outside of martial. Also, due to the shoulder I have changed my focus from lifting heavier weights as part of my workout, to using high reps with lighter weights. And I really need to focus o. Cardio more than I have been. 

So I guess my intent has changed from a purely martial arts focus to a more well rounded focus of health and fitness, as well as trying to put more focus on the internal (meditative) side of martial arts.

Due to my shoulder issue, mostly focusing on stepping and foot work

Resting and reflecting.  

 

 

 

And relaxation