Karate and Fasting
The following is an article taken from the Cyber Dojo in response to a question by Sensei Jay Collins.
To those who might not be aware of it, the Muslim community has just ended its period of fasting. There are those of other faiths (the Baha'i's, for example) who also have prescribed periods of fasting, and others who may also do it as part of their spiritual development. Has this element appeared anywhere as part of MA training? How do those CD'ers who fast combine this this with their training? What do you find are the benefits? Any hints?
I will try to give my impressions about the effect of fasting and training for the benefit of the CD. This is my personal experiences and might be a little biased to myself. I am also posting this message to the CD if you don't mind.
The following quote I received from William Hitchcock who responded with kind words to my posting regarding Eid Mubarak and my response to him.
"I believe that a person must be spiritual to be a complete person. We are encouraged to talk about religion in the dojo (not during class but when there is time for small talk). It is important for personal growth. "
I would agree with you. This month (Ramadan) is a fine example of that completeness. Fast starts at Sunrise (about 4.30am) and ends at Sunset (about 8.00pm). Kindly note that this is for S.A. and that it varies all over the world. For the past month my program has been - get up at 3.30am for a light snack and Fajr (first prayer), then off at 8.00am to help my brother in his business. Back by 2.00pm - then did some admin work- then off to the dojo at 4.30 cycling 4km there. One hour of weight training and then teach/train until 7.30pm. Leave the dojo at about 7.45pm and arrive home for Maghrib (4th prayer at Sunset) and breaking of the fast. At 9.00pm to Mosque (church) for Eshai (last prayer of five) and Tarawih (Ramadan prayer) - mosque finishes at 10.30pm. Get to bed between that time and 12 midnight. I usually used that time to surf the Net or worked on updating my site!
This meant that most times I was a zombie but the one thing that I actually enjoyed was that I could train really hard even though I was fasting. Cycling back from the dojo was very tough because by then my legs were just dead.....! It seemed to as the wind was forever testing me, blowing against me on the way home and I really had to pedal hard - specifically also to be at home in time for breaking of the fast.
It is amazing how one can do this and be able to survive. It just shows what you can do but it takes something like Ramadan ( or something similar) to show you your capabilities.
During Ramadan, more so than other times, we are encouraged to read the Quran and spend time in reflection and to do good. By fasting for this period we learn to appreciate the many people who have to go without food throughout the world and how fortunate we are. We must also mind our speech, and so many other things which normally you would not do. I've found that coupled with Religion, Karate has been so much more rewarding. The feeling that I get is like "Satori"- Enlightenment.
Having done some nutrition courses, I've learned about the value and importance of fluid replenishment. I am constantly amazed at how hard I could train without having to quench my thirst. Some of my Exercise Teacher colleagues could not understand this - "you know you cannot do that" they say. Many of my Muslim students also trained very hard this past month, so I cannot claim that only I could do it. Naturally, by the time I have to break my fast - then in that first 15 minutes or so I finish a 1,5L of Coke (yes, Coke is it! - it does wonders for the replacement of electrolytes - but it does give the odd cramp if consumed too fast on an empty stomach).
Japanese Budo has the "Shugyo"- or Austere Training. To me this was a good example of pushing oneself - whilst it may be far from Shugyo - it was "Osu No Seishin".
What was also good to me was that this month was one of the few times when I spent the whole month at home. Most months I'm travelling or visiting affiliated dojo in S.A. and other countries teaching karate or in my capacity as an Sports Administrator. This means that my training is not that controlled, because I'm teaching more than training.
Coupled with the fast, I've not only lost a few kilo's of "fat" but I also pushed my fitness level up considerably. I also worked on the Makiwara a lot. Some of my students "chastised" me as I said that during Ramadan we would have light training only. I kinda forgot that..... :-)
I spent six days a week following this program. Only twice did I have no energy to train. The one time was on Lailatul Qadr (the 27th Night of the fast - also known as "The Night of Power") when I stayed in Mosque from Tarawih until nearly Sunrise (for a special program). That evening I was dead and I just went to the dojo and supervised training. The next day I was fine again. The other time was when I had to get some work done and I worked throughout the night. If I look at the reason why - I can attribute it to lack of sleep mostly and also lack of energy - carbohydrates. During fasting your stomach shrinks so you can get by with less food and you eat considerably less which means that you have less energy resources.
What was pleasing is that in February our normal class schedule resumes and those that did not train in January will be way behind...... and will feel it!
Earlier I mentioned spending time in reflection. The art of honest self-analysis is a excellent weapon. The period of meditation which follows training (or any time put aside for it) is an excellent time to reflect on your performance. Analyse your attitude honestly for just one training session and see how much you do not know! No one else is responsible for the quality of your training. You alone carry the responsibility of yourself.
Having established a attitude of "Each One Teach One" in the dojo - I am fortunate to be able to receive "Hihyo" - constructive criticism from my senior students. This keeps me on my toes as I do not have an instructor of my own. I could not tell my training partners that I could not give as much as they could because I was fasting. No, I had to give as much or more because that is the Way of Budo! Also because I must "Lead by Example". This has only strengthened my spirit!!!
I sincerely hope that I have been able to give some insight into what I have experienced this month. Although the fast has ended, I usually do another 6 days which is then equivalent to as if one has fasted for another 11 months.
Ramadan has come and gone. I will miss it. I just hope too that even though my normal teaching schedule now resumes, that I will still be able to maintain what I started on and to build on that. Osu!
Today I finished my last day of fasting. This past six days was more difficult than the whole month of Ramadan. Maybe because I'm the only one in the house that was fasting could have attributed to that. Not having the support of family members makes it even tougher. Having meals alone was not nice, therfore I realise that the Way of Budo is easier if one has the support of loved ones. This past six days reminded me of the Ramadan I spent in the USA(April/May 1988) - in cold conditions, very little Muslim friends, no proper food (the issue of Halaal), etc. Fortunately the discipline of karate helped and I could survive.
This is the views of Kaicho Hoosain Narker of Ashihara International.
|