Frustration With Your Training

 Sometimes in training we get frustrated. Whether its with hitting a plateau, or feeling like we just can’t hit a certain technique. I’ve found that most times both of these frustrating occurrences sprout from over thinking. The mind is an incredible tool. Often it is also our worst enemy. It’s my belief that the majority of our actually fighting occurs within our self. For example, in class when a technique is taught, and you feel like you can’t do it smoothly, or fast enough. Many times you’ll look around the room and see others hitting it effortlessly, this is where we sometimes allow doubt in our abilities to settle in. That doubt stems from Pride, pride has no place in Martial Arts. A Martial Artist must confident. If you allow Pride into your training you also allow yourself, a way to BEATEN by your OWN mind.  Before you step onto the mat to begin your training, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let go of everything. Let nothing else exist outside of the task in front of you, increasing your Martial Arts Knowledge, and more importantly your confidence in your ability and self.

 Confidence can be harder to come by, and is obtained through time. It’s not something you can immediately download into your system. What you can be confident in right away (if you allow yourself), is that you will hit the technique, or get to the level you want to be at in time. Allow yourself to be confident in the fact you will never stop pushing forward until you reach that goal. Also it’s important to move slowly through each step. Not because you can’t do it quickly, but to understand each piece, and each movement. Have knowledge of your technique and ability, know everything there is to know about it. Don’t allow Pride to creep in and slow your progress. In the video attached to this blog you will see that even I am guilty of allowing Pride to get in the way.

 During My trip to Thailand I was fortunate to work with Pornsonae Sitmonchai. Instead of taking my time and focusing on the movement, I rushed into the punches. In my mind I wanted to impress him with my speed and power, but allowing Pride to enter my training made me look like a common beginner. As you will  see in the video Pornsonae stops, tells me to shake out my shoulders, and also repeatedly reminds me to rotate into my strikes. This is probably comical to my students as that is most likely the thing I point out to them the most! We are all guilty of letting pride creep in. Pride only creates frustration. Let go of your pride and allow yourself to learn free of your minds enemy.

 Coach Jason