Plateaus in MA

[AngelaG]

Ok, let's get a few 'helpful' threads going... get some good advice out there!

I guess we have all had times when you just don't feel like training. You find reasons why not to go one night and the next minute that's turned into 2 nights...and on it goes. There are also times when it seems you are standing still with regards to improvement, or perhaps even going backwards and then frustration begins to really bite. What are your hints and tips for for how you get over these little plateaus?

[Aefibird]

I think of all the things that karate and martial arts have given me (eg self-confidence, stamina, discipline, new friends and the ability to punch my way out of a coffin... ).

When I hit a bit of a 'lull' in training I remind myself why I went along in the first place and I try and recapture those excited feelings I had during the first weeks of training when everything was new and novel.

Another way of prompting me to get off my butt and train is the fact that I have a responsibility to my dojo and to my Sensei. He's placed trust in me by making me the assistant instructor - I can't let him down by not turning up or only training half-heartedly, just because I'm going through a plateau phase.

Also, I tell myself that I'd be letting myself down (much like the joke about the inflatable boy with a pin : if I gave up or was less than 100% comitted. I've come so far in my training - there's no reason to stop now.

Finally, on a very materialistic ending, I remind myself exactly how much I've spent on lessons, seminars, competition entry fees, equipment etc etc and think of how much of a waste of cash it would be if I quit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actually, I've never thought about packing in martial arts.

I've had phases where I've thought that "I don't want to go tonight" (although I still do go to training, I force myself to and always love it when I actually get there), but I've never ever considered actually stopping training.

It's too much of a part of my life to give up.

I train every day (at home or at the club), I'm at the dojo most days, heck, if I'm ever injured and can't train I still go along to watch.

[AngelaG]

I guess I have been lucky as the only time I gave up on the Martial Arts was back when I was a white belt. I came for a few weeks and then found an excuse not to go to one lesson, and then the next lesson I was busy... and you can guess the rest of the story! Well then I lost my job and my back started playing up so I had the perfect excuse for a big break.

Since I went back to it I have had the odd night when I don't feel like going, but if I have more than 3 days away it feels like an age and I am champing at the bit to get back to training.

I also think about the time and energy invested in it. What a waste of time and resources if I just stopped going. What a slap in the face to the people who have spent a lot of their time teaching me, and helping me improve.

It helps as well that I have some really close friends at the dojo, so I don't really get a tug-of-war with my time. The only time I do is if my old school/uni mates converge back down here, but then I can sacrifice the odd few days of karate to see them, and just fit in some more training sessions elsewhere. (The beauty of having training on 7 days a week!)

Actually I have cancelled a holiday to Looe this weekend in order to go to the OCI Seminar. Both things I really wanted to do but I weighed it up and the karate pipped it at the post!

[david m]

I hit a major plateau about a year and a half to 2 years ago.
I'd been training like a madman in an effort to get myself into the Scottish squad and I think I must have overtrained and wore myself out!
I found that I could not be bothered with anything at all karate related - kata and kihon was boring, competition oriented kumite (as dominates my club) was too limited. Training wasn't hard or physical enough etc etc etc.
So, I pretty much quit and went off to a Thai Boxing club!
I've been at that for around a year and a half and feel as if I've got it out of my system.
It's a good style, with lots of great techniques and ideas, but it's a ring sport, and I can't shake off the feeling that if you aren't going to compete in the ring, it doesn't have a lot to hold your attention.

So, last night I found myself back at my old club doing kata, kihon and kumite. And it was great fun!

So, to my point. Finally!
If you feel like taking a break, have one. It might be just what you need.

[RDKI]

I'd agree with what David says, having taken 9 years off myself at one stage.

I'd also say that it may help to actually talk things through with your instructor. In many cases they will have gone through something similar themselves and know how you feel, especially if you are suffering the "brown belt blues".

It is however better to take the break and come back refreshed than making the rut deeper and wanting to get out altogether.

[AngelaG]

RDKI said:

I'd agree with what David says, having taken 9 years off myself at one stage.

I'd also say that it may help to actually talk things through with your instructor. In many cases they will have gone through something similar themselves and know how you feel, especially if you are suffering the "brown belt blues".

It is however better to take the break and come back refreshed than making the rut deeper and wanting to get out altogether.

I think brown belt is a scary time. Suddenly you are made aware that you are on the run up to the holy grail of the black belt and this can in itself can add pressure.
In addition you are suddenly being referred to as the "higher grades" and expected to set an example for the lower kyu grades. This added pressure and responsibility can detract from the enjoyment of the karate if you are not careful I guess.

For me personally though I found green belt to be a bit more of a problem. I kind of felt in a 'no-mans land' bang in the middle of the kyu grades. It seemed like I had come so far but was not considered a high grade, and the road to advancement seemed a long, hard and rocky one. It's just as well I like a challenge!! ;D

[RDKI]

I call it "brown belt blues" as many many people seem to falter at this stage for the reasons that Angela gave and also because you are a brown belt for an awfully long time compared to the other kyu grades, especially if there is a 6 or 12 month wait between 1st kyu and shodan. many people just get fed up of waiting.

[Aefibird]

I agree.

I suffered with the "brown belt blues" myself.

Suddenly, all this expectation seemed to be put on me (although I actually placed it on myself). I felt like I should be 'perfect' as I was supposed to set an example for the lower grades and prove myself to be at a standard for blackbelt.

I would mentally beat myself up over every little mistake.

Having the "blues" (or should that be the "browns" : was one of the reasons that I took up Aikido. I felt like I wanted to be free to make mistakes and to be a beginner again - something I wasn't allowing myself to do as a karate brown belt.

The worst thing about having the "brown belt blues", for me, was the fact that I felt like everyone was placing huge expectations upon me, even though they weren't, and it was all in my overactive and overstressed imagination.

As David wrote, sometimes it can do you good to get away and have a break from it.


ETA: Because I'm that kinda person, I also mentally beat myself up for having the 'blues'.

[miffersy]

Hi,
I got the Brown Belt Blues at 1st Kyu and even though I was still training I stayed at that grade for three years basically putting the pressure on myself, to my thinking I was not ready to grade for Shodan. My Instructor sorted me out, told me on the Thursday I was grading for Shodan the following Tuesday and I crapped myself all weekend but I passed.

[tez3]

My problem was that I got my belts all the way up to brown very easily in the first club I was in. I had never done martial arts before and went along and took in everything they said as being gospel, they seemed nice, obviously knew what they were doing so I signed up and began grading. I did enjoy it although as you have probably guessed it was costing me a fortune! The first few gradings I paid for and passed, I didn't think too much of it that people who were passing purple, brown etc didn't actually seem very good, after all I was only a student. I got to first kyu and there were big doubts in my head by then and a big hole in my wallet. I had met my present instructor Mick Nokes then who, without criticising anyone showed me what martial arts should be about. I left the other club.

I can't believe I spent 5 years and a huge amount of money doing what was basically sports karate and self defence that didn't work, that was a very long and expensive plateau!

[andym]

I haven't experienced said 'brown belt blues'.....I still even get excited about going to lessons.

Am I a freak? ;D

[Andy]

angelag said:

I think brown belt is a scary time. Suddenly you are made aware that you are on the run up to the holy grail of the black belt and this can in itself can add pressure.

Then you get the Black Belt blues, which are far worse.

You see danger everywhere, and run into telephone boxes expecting to be transformed into a superhero complete with cape, spandex jammies and underwear on the outside.

Look at it like crossing a river on stepping stones, that are increasingly far apart.
You don't know if you'll make it till you jump, but it's easier on the return journey.

To boldly split the infinitive, where no man has spliffed the incentive before and all that.

Or as my old boss used to say, "Just shut up and get on with it"

[AngelaG]

andym said:

I haven't experienced said 'brown belt blues'.....I still even get excited about going to lessons.

Am I a freak? ;D

Well yes, but not for that reason... ;D

LOL, joking apart, of course you're not a freak. I too am still very passionate about what I do.

[miffersy]

Hi,
I started in '73 and although most of my time is spent teaching, like Angela I too still have the passion and I cannot wait for training days to come around.

[andym]

I'll be training tonight and already I'm wishing the day away so I can get down there!