Blast from the past: From The San Soo Journal – Winter 1995 Edition
How To Eliminate Boredom In Your Workout
Most people think that when they start learning Kung Fu (or just about anything) they steadily progress until they become a Master. We learn new things until we reach a plateau and we tend to stagnate and remain at about the same skill level doing the same techniques over and over. You may first use mostly blocks and punches. Your next plateau may be kicks. Then you may over use specific punches or kicks. Then you might advance to take downs or throws and then back to modified punches or side-stepping as you strike. We all have gone through the steps favoring certain things then letting go of others, but worst of all is when we just feel we are not advancing. Just hang in there because pretty soon you will again begin to progress until you reach the next slow stage.
That’s the way we leant and as long as you stay with your lessons your knowledge will increase. Some from the Far East talk about the “great awakenings of life”. Believe it or not it can also happen very quickly. Your skill level advances and you gain an in-depth skill, one which you never had before. I recall a time we were working on breaking out of holds. We practiced many ways. My mind worked hard to understand. One day I woke up and I found that I had the ability to get out of just about any hold one could put you in. There was no conscious thought involved. It was by “feel” and it was immediate. You can’t explain the feeling when you gain that skill – your confidence grows and you feel very secure with your new found ability.
When we normally work out all of our thought is on the time when we do the technique on our partner. Many think about their upcoming turn while their partner is doing his technique. Well, you’re wasting about 50% of your work out time. If you want to get better, quicker, and don’t want to get bored, try these tips:
During the time your partner is blocking, striking, or throwing you, feel for any weakness as he blocks. Could you have overcome it?
When he strikes or kicks could you have countered?
During his throw could you have reversed it or taken him with you? Do this only in your mind. Don’t tell your partner (unless he’s making a real bad mistake) because you may hurt his confidence or clash with his ego.
These suggestions are for you to use to improve yourself and to use the full 100% of your workout time. Sometimes when my partner would throw me, I would gently touch the area that would be vulnerable to counter-attack or grabbing. It was so light that he did not notice the touch
You may also practice ways of getting up from the ground which will be more effective and give you greater advantage than just jumping up.
Understanding how we learn and practicing using your mind and body can control boredom or short periods of what appears to be stagnation. Keep pushing and learning and your rewards will be great!
