Emotional Rescue

[Kareyn]

I am finding I'm using my karate class for emotional rescue (which isn't a bad thing IMO), but it isn't working anymore. Anyone else do this and find that "using" karate is like abusing karate?

[hungheykwun]

wat means emotional rescue? for me, when i train, im so tired i cant think of work, family, relationship-related problems anymore. thats a plus

[Kareyn]

Ah.........that's what I mean. I train to escape thinking. However, now I am allowing my troubles in my mind even when I train. How do I stay focused?

[seienchin]

The simple response is - train harder. It is fine to use karate as a diversion from your woes. Divert every ounce of your consciousness and effort into the moment of the training.

Use the brief meditation at the beginning and end of class to "tie off" the issues, and "untie them". T

Ultimately, you can use the perseverence and self belief you have from karate to help solve those problems that are distracting you.

Until then...train harder. It sounds brutal, but it does work.

[intwominds]

Osu! When I find outside thoughts creeping in I try harder to concentrate on whatever technique we are doing at the moment. I try to remember all my sempai has said about the technique and refine any little movements to do it the best way I can. Our sempai has eagle eyes -comes with the belt doesn't it? , so I imagine that they are standing in front of me watching every movement I do, usually jerks me back to what I am doing real quick!

[jcc]

Osu!

Must agree with seienchin - if you are become distracted during training, then you are not training hard enough - or you have some terrible problems

I find that once I walk throught he door into the dojo, all other thoughts apart from the forthcoming class just fade away. You need to learn to focus completely on the training and forget everything else. Just concentrate on what your sensei is saying and doing. As intwominds says, just imagine that they are watching your every move and every technique or exercise you do must be perfect.

Good luck!

Osu!

[Dent]

Osu!

And to continue from what JCC said. If your problems are so serious that you can't focus on your immediate present, get professional help. Sometimes we can get so weighed down that we can't see anything other than the stuff we're carrying.

Osu!

[Aunty Ichigeki]

I've gone through phases where I'm not focussed in class & it usually means I have a motivation problem & have lost interest in what I'm doing. Try giving yourself a challenge to work towards or find someone to compete with (someone on your RHS?) to make life more interesting. Watching inspiring video clips & sparing some time during the day or before training to plan or visualise yourself training helps me. It might help to read some sports psych. Maybe something or someone has changed in the class & that's impacting how much you enjoy it. If you can figure out what that is you're on your way to solving the problem.

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

And to continue from what JCC said. If your problems are so serious that you can't focus on your immediate present, get professional help. Sometimes we can get so weighed down that we can't see anything other than the stuff we're carrying.

Osu!

very wise words!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by hasbeen

very wise words!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, H. If I can say one thing that Karate has brought me that I didn't expect, it would be the ability to ask for help.

Osu!

[Bloke]

Kareyn

Has any of this been any help to you?

[Kareyn]

Oh, heck yes! What I needed to hear was to focus more on each moment, each movement. Also to get psyched up using tools such as video or books. As well as train harder, with more intention and regard. And, of course, ask for help. Thanks for asking!

[Bloke]

Glad to hear its working out - keep us posted.

[Dent]

Osu!

Good to hear things are a bit better there, Kareyn. Please do keep us posted.

Osu!

[tmd]

I'm like this all over, whatever I'm doing there is always a part of my brain off trying to solve all of my other problems. It does seem like a focus issue to me - As all have said before just focus really hard on each individual movement - imagine it's your grading that every move counts.