"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time,
And to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things."
-The Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi
One More Week Left
Twelve more days until I leave Phuket, Thailand. The time has gone by so fast and I'm very happy with how this trip has turned out. I've pushed myself throughout various challenges and have been exposed to what training in Thailand is like. Honestly, it is just like training at home but way hotter and much longer training sessions.
Distractions vs Discipline
The only thing that is different with a trip like this, is that you get to focus purely on training while you're here. No job to worry about. In my case, no one else to worry about. Just you, yourself, and training. That is my view on it. I can tell you that there are still distractions here, just like there are at home. I've seen many people drop from classes to go partying, drinking, or just to go anywhere else besides the gym.
For me, all I have to do is remind myself that I came here to train. To not train is to waste my money and waste an opportunity. Obviously, there are times where you shouldn't train. Injuries, sickness, or exhaustion are examples of when you should rest. I do think that if you don't train then you should do something that would benefit your training. Sore? Stretch or get a massage. Exhausted? Spend the day eating healthy food. Injured? Try ice baths or sauna! (Or get it checked out if it is serious)
Everything is Input
A big thing I've learned during my very few years of serious training is this; everything is input. What effort you put in will result in what you get out of your training. There is a lot more that goes into what effort is but for beginners, this is what they need to keep in mind. Whether it is Muay Thai, Kung Fu, or even learning a language. Putting consistent effort into learning the skill will benefit you. As you go beyond the beginner level, then you can start to worry about methods of learning/training, when to rest, progressive overload, and more.
"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things."
Useful at any time, Useful in all things
So, why is all of this important? When trying to learn any skill, a big idea to remember is why you are learning it. This reason will change as your progress on your learning or training journey. What is important is that there is a a why.
One way to figure out your reason for chasing after this skill is to see how useful it has been in your life. The example I will use is my love of Kung Fu. Why did I become so passionate about Kung Fu? The training made my life easier, as having a more active and flexible body allowed me to do more. It was also a gateway to improving my Chinese, as all the moves, stances, and forms were Chinese terms. The last big reason was that it opened my mind to a different lifestyle than the college 9-5 routine that so many of my friends followed.
Reflection
So when you think about how is the skill you're pursuing useful to you; don't just think about it in terms of the skill itself. Think about it's usefulness in a broader sense. Has pursuing this skill made you feel smarter, more confident, or even just happier? Have you made new friends through your learning or training? This kind of insight brings about a strong motivation that will help you keep going on your journey.
I hope this helped!
📿Johnny
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