Post by pasmith on Feb 6, 2006 12:39:53 GMT
Do you guys have any major "landmarks" in your training or martial arts careers?
Episodes, events or experiences that totally changed your perceptions, the way you train, your understanding and ultimately your future?
Perhaps it's been more of a gradual ongoing process for you?
For me several things stand out as shaping my training (and me) and most have been more about understanding stuff mentally rather than physically...
First up was actually winning a TKD competition as a low grade. It may hae been against other green belts of the same weight in very restricted rules sparring but for me it was a real achievement. It was probably the first thing I'd ever won in my life and really gave me the confidence to carry on with training.
Next up was getting my BB (in TKD). Although I've stopped doing TKD that still stands out as a good day. From weedy wimp to BB felt like I'd really got somewhere.
Next up was reading Geoff Thompson's "Watch my back". That was a real eye-opener. I couldn't look at training the same way again after that. That caused a major shift in my training that has lasted even until now.
Very shortly after I watched UFC 2. That really cemented what I had read in "Watch my back" and also read in Geoff's articles. Again it made me look at training in a totally new light.
Last but not least was watching Eric Knaus in the series of Dog Brothers Full contact stickfighting tapes. Here was a guy that has TRULY mastered what he was doing. Not someone that could superficially flick his leg high in the air or break a wooden block. Here was someone that had a technical mastery over himself, his stick and more importantly it was coupled with true understanding of what it takes to fight, apply what he knew in real time and take someone out.
Anyone else have similar experiences?
Episodes, events or experiences that totally changed your perceptions, the way you train, your understanding and ultimately your future?
Perhaps it's been more of a gradual ongoing process for you?
For me several things stand out as shaping my training (and me) and most have been more about understanding stuff mentally rather than physically...
First up was actually winning a TKD competition as a low grade. It may hae been against other green belts of the same weight in very restricted rules sparring but for me it was a real achievement. It was probably the first thing I'd ever won in my life and really gave me the confidence to carry on with training.
Next up was getting my BB (in TKD). Although I've stopped doing TKD that still stands out as a good day. From weedy wimp to BB felt like I'd really got somewhere.
Next up was reading Geoff Thompson's "Watch my back". That was a real eye-opener. I couldn't look at training the same way again after that. That caused a major shift in my training that has lasted even until now.
Very shortly after I watched UFC 2. That really cemented what I had read in "Watch my back" and also read in Geoff's articles. Again it made me look at training in a totally new light.
Last but not least was watching Eric Knaus in the series of Dog Brothers Full contact stickfighting tapes. Here was a guy that has TRULY mastered what he was doing. Not someone that could superficially flick his leg high in the air or break a wooden block. Here was someone that had a technical mastery over himself, his stick and more importantly it was coupled with true understanding of what it takes to fight, apply what he knew in real time and take someone out.
Anyone else have similar experiences?
) I was an Ikkyu (last belt before black) for maybe 2 months or so and had at least another 2 months minimum before being considered for shodan. At this time my sensei had invited his instructor, 7th Dan Kuda Yuichi from Okinawa to visit us in Montana and train us. Sensei Kuda had never been to the states before, and everyone in our dojo (except Sensei Miller) was really nervous about it. So nervous in fact, that during Sensei Kuda's 3 weeks in Montana, half of the class never showed up to work with him!!! Man, did they miss some good stuff!
) I sat back against the wall in my place, then the next student went up before Sensei Kuda. Sensei Miller reached past Patrick and shook my hands and said (I'll never forget these words)..."Congratulations...SHODAN!"
