Blog Archives

Martial arts training when you're sick

15/8/2018

It’s winter in New Zealand and that means its cold and flu season. Unless you have a freakishly cast iron constitution, you are likely to get sick at some time during the winter. For those of you who are fanatical about your martial arts training, this poses a dilemma. Do you push through and keep training, or do you take some time off while you get well?

There are few hard and fast rules when it comes to training with an illness. Everyone and every situation is different. For example, as owners of a relatively small and new martial arts school, SBN Caroline and I are rarely able to take time off when we are sick. We do though, call on our more senior students to help us with our classes and make sure we rest outside of class times. Our situation is different though, to that of our students.

Here is the advice we give to our students when they are struggling with an illness.

If you have something that is contagious, then do not come to class. So if you have chicken pox, strep throat, or the flu (and not just the “man flu”) for example, stay home. These illnesses spread quickly through a martial arts school. In our 15 year history, we have had to close the school once as a result of an epidemic of swine flu. No one wants to catch a nasty illness like that, so make sure you stay home and get well.
If you are sick enough to need to take time of work or school, then don’t train. Get lots of rest and make sure you are on the mend before you return. If you push yourself too hard, too soon, you may make yourself sicker for longer.
Listen to your body. If you are really tired or have a fever for example, then your body is telling you to rest. If you are so congested that you can’t breathe properly, then you are going to struggle with training. It may be best to take a day or two off.
If you have a bit of a cold or are just feeling a little bit under-the-weather, then you may be able to cope with some light training. In our martial art of Kuk Sool Won™, there are lots of things you can still do when you need a lighter training session. You can work on your memory by walking through your self-defense techniques and forms. You can also gently work on your kicking technique or do some light weapons training. Talk to your instructor before your class to work out what you can best focus on, to ensure you don’t push yourself too hard.

Above all else, don’t get stressed if you need to miss some training sessions, particularly if you have a grading looming. Your health is very important and your instructors understand the impact of winter illnesses. We know you are likely to miss some classes at this time of year and would rather you took the time to get well so that you can train well when you do return to classes.

JKN Jane Hurst
First degree black belt and school owner
Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero

Copyright © 2018. Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero. All Rights Reserved.

0 Comments

Five reasons martial arts training gets better as we age

7/8/2018

0 Comments

JKN Jane Hurst and SBN Caroline Hurst

I recently turned 50, a significant milestone in anyone’s life. For many people, this is a time of reflection. We think about our past and what we have learned from it, as well as reflect on what the future may offer. As a black belt, instructor and school owner in the traditional Korean martial art of Kuk Sool Won™, I have been reflecting on the central role martial arts occupies in my life. What does it mean to me as I age and how do I see my future as a martial artist?

My passion and commitment to Kuk Sool Won™ continues to grow as I enter my 50s. There are many reasons for this. Understanding what they are keep me motivated, particularly when I am having a bad day or when I want or need to lift my energy levels.

Here are the top five reasons why I am passionate about Kuk Sool Won™ at age 50 and why training gets better with age.

Focusing on respect: Kuk Sool Won™ is a traditional martial art, which is based in fundamental human values, like respect. This includes respect not only for others, but also for ourselves. In a world where many people feel free to abuse each other online, spread hateful messages, and turn a blind eye to suffering, it is deeply poignant to be part of a respectful environment. It connects us with each other at a fundamental human level and reminds us of our own humanity. With respect comes tolerance and compassion. These are values which make us kinder and more caring people. The fundamental value of respect grounds me as a person in what truly matters in my life, particularly as I get older, namely the importance of my relationships with other people.
Making a difference: My position as a school owner and instructor enables me to make a positive difference to the lives of many people, such as the anxious five year old, or the teenager who is being bullied, or the under confident adult. By teaching them martial arts in a respectful environment, I am able to make a very real and important difference to how they perceive themselves and interact with the world around them. Every student has something to learn, whether it is developing the physical skills of self-defence or personal growth in areas such as confidence and self-belief. The influence does not end there though. By making a difference to a student, that ripples through to their relationships with other people. It is this ability to positively influence the lives of our students (and beyond) that motivates me to teach. It is extremely rewarding knowing that I can use my wealth of life experience to help others.
Keeping me young: As I age, my body is physically changing. For example, I carry old injuries which limit some training activities. However, as someone who came to martial arts later in life, I am finding that even though I have hit 50, I am still getting stronger and my flexibility continues to improve. Physically, Kuk Sool Won™ is helping to keep my body young and healthy. It is also keeping my mind young. There is an extensive syllabus to be learn and concepts and philosophies to understand. The physical and mental learning never ends. Martial arts training without question helps to keep my mind and body young.
Being mindful: Martial arts teaching and training is a very mindful experience for me. It helps me to stay focused in each present moment, without judging myself harshly. This is important for my physical and mental wellbeing. It increases my enjoyment and reduces my levels of stress and anxiety in all aspects of my life, not just while I am training or teaching martial arts. It also gets me out of my head and more connected with my body. As someone who writes for a living, this is refreshing.
Psychological freedom: At age 50 I have probably already lived more than half of my life. Of those years that are left, some may not be good years physically and mentally, as my body and mind will at some stage begin to deteriorate in old age. Instead of dwelling on this potentially depressing reality, martial arts focuses my mind on all of the things that I can do. I am no longer worried about whether I can kick as high or as well as the young students or get as low in my stances. I am liberated from the expectations people have of martial artists as young, dynamic, and gifted athletes. I no longer feel the need to compare myself to others. Instead, I am secure in the knowledge that I am doing something tremendously beneficial for me. This is a very powerful place to be psychologically and it enables me to really enjoy and value each moment of my life and the opportunities that are presented to me. There is a freedom that comes with this and it is life-enhancing.

We all have our reasons for training in martial arts. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on what they are for you. This will help to motivate you during the tough training days, as well as provide you with greater clarity of the many benefits your training brings to your life. For older martial artists, you may well find that like me, your training is getting better and more enjoyable as you age.

JKN Jane Hurst
First degree black belt and school owner
Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero

Copyright © 2018. Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero. All Rights Reserved.

0 Comments

Martial arts training when you're sick

Five reasons martial arts training gets better as we age

Caroline and Jane Hurst

Archives

Categories