Why do you train!?

FutureProdigy · 02-19-2008, 06:40 PM

I'm new to martial arts and I was wondering what your own personal motivations/reasons for training were.

In a sense this thread is a mental exercise for myself as well. I'm 23 and just starting off, and I'm in the process of figuring out why I train. It takes up alot of your free time (training 3-4 days a week) and I dont have aspirations of competiting professionally or anything, so it sometimes dawn on me... why do you train.

So, with that said... why do you train? Does it take up a lot of your time as well? Do you have a family, etc? Basically, how do you justify the time commitment in the face of all of lifes other responsibilities? (a lot of questions i know lol)

p.s. I have not 'yet' started kyokushin, will be soon... I currently do wtf tkd and have done judo back in high school

Bloke · 02-19-2008, 07:19 PM

I got my nose broken and thats how I started. As to why I continued its hard to say. I enjoyed the challenge, and still do. I now run a dojo and thats a different kind of challenge. I like the idea of pushing myself - what else whould I do on those nights? Waste them in front of the TV possibly.

How do I justify it? I owe it to my wife and as yet unborn child to be fit and healthy so I can around for them. I could do that through the gym I know but it doesnt cut it.

Hope that helps.

Ps Why not pop into the introductions section and start a thread telling us a little about yourself while you wait for some more answers?

EddieP · 02-19-2008, 07:25 PM

I train because I can feel it!!!!

I never asked anyone this before but...
Have you ever felt “potential”? I can feel it. When I’m in the gym working out, I can feel Potential running through my veins and it makes me work harder. I feel the ability I could have if I focus on my training 100%. Sometimes it scares me believe it or not, and I’m not trying to sound like I’m tooting my own horn. I can just feel greatness within, and I really need help unlocking that potential. With the proper guidance, I believe that I could become one of the best stand-up Karate fighters in the world, but I can’t do it by myself. It’s stupid to think that I could do this by myself without help or outside influence. I still have a lot to learn as I’m only a blue belt. I need the help...I want the help, but i just don't have anyone to help me when I need it. I don’t get nervous before fights or during fights…I don’t get excited either. I’m usually very calm I don’t need an i-pod to get me going with heavy metal music, or gangster rap music…lol. I actually listen to slow mellow music before my fight…something that relaxes me.

I don't know...maybe i'm just an idiot, but this is why i train.

OSU!!!!!!!!!!!

**smoothsake** · 02-19-2008, 07:37 PM

I train because its fun. If it wasn't fun I'd be the first to move on to something else.

**Olrac** · 02-19-2008, 08:23 PM

I train because I want to!
My son trains too.
I love the kyokushin way of thinking.
I love the discipline.
I love being very tired after class.
I love the stress just before a grading or tournament.
I love.....
I love.....
Shall I continue??

**Brad** · 02-19-2008, 08:40 PM

mine is a little like Bloke my nose also got broken when i was jumping in for my brother i was sixteen. Now 28 but i just also really in joy training and just being involved in such a good atmosphere where i can also help the younger students in our dojo that makes me feel good also. i have three kids at home as well but my wife really supports me training which makes things easier plus my step son trains now to.

**tmd** · 02-19-2008, 09:55 PM

I started in MA's as a method of control and as a way of channeling my aggression and over coming my sense of vulnerability (I was skinny as a rake as a kid and used to fight everyone to stop them bulling me, go figure?), I guess the first MA was boxing in my local youth club, then tkd, JJ then finally I found MY martial art Kyokushin.

Why do I still do it so many years later? As with all life you evolve and it has evolved with me, it is an intrinsic part of my character, now I do it to give me a way to keep fit, focused, spend time with my kids, and most of all I enjoy both the mental and physical challenges it presents, why else would I have been in the sea this weekend in 3 deg C temperatures? I really think I will be involved with MA for most of my life, I took a few years off and missed it like hell.

Kenpo4life · 02-19-2008, 11:06 PM

I train because I now nothing else. I started at 3 with my family and still am loving it 29 years later. I cant fathom my life without it. It breathes life in me, and it brings me life.

chen3141 · 02-20-2008, 04:07 AM

I hope to train my heart and body for a firm unshaking spirit.
I hope to pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way.
With true vigor, I hope to seek to cultivate a spirit of self denial.
I hope to observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.
I hope to follow god, and never forget the true virtue of humility.
I hope to look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires. All my life, through Martial Arts, I seek to fulfill true meaning.

FutureProdigy · 02-20-2008, 04:52 AM

wow... chen3141.. that was inspirational ... did you quote that or make it up yourself? Thats deep!

vapor · 02-20-2008, 05:42 AM

It is based on the translated dojo kun....
Which is a perfect place to lay your motivations within

vapor

Shorinji · 02-20-2008, 05:52 AM

I started when I was 14. I was playing Mortal Kombat and I was Sub-Zero. I loved the way he moved and he did Shotokan in the game. I put the game down and decied I wanted to do that. I didnt fight as a kid... in fact I have been coddled my whole life. I was weak, pathetic, and an all around mess. everything was handed to me when I asked for it... I didnt appreciate anything... Until I started training in Shorinji-Ryu and Goshin-Budo-Jujitsu. I learned to be humble and to be strong. I realized that I didnt need alot in life. Now I live a VERY modest existence. I run 2 miles in 12min 50 secs. I can do 120 push ups in 2min and improving.

I continue because it helps me feel alive. I feel like there is something im meant to do and im getting closer to it... whatever it is.

Nix · 02-20-2008, 01:07 PM

I don't think there is one real reason. Karate is not simply a hobby, it is a lifestyle. As you progress, you adopt more and more of said lifestyle, untill you don't want to give up. True, sometimes it's hard and frustrating, yet you show up the next day anyway (sometimes that makes you wonder how big an idiot you are). Practice becomes a nescessity, a desire, vitalising, like water or food. Take it away, and you fall apart. Cling to it, and you will evolve.

I did take a break one time, when I was in high school. After some time, you feel drawn back, as if there is something missing, your knuckles are itching. Several students that quit and return blame that same mystical feeling. Today I can't even take a one week break, before turning into a madman. Plus I get a tremendous backache when not training.

**Paedde** · 02-20-2008, 01:59 PM

I would never write that down by myself, but EddieP explained it perfectly...

I started to do some sport, once per week, then twice... now I day every day if possible, if I can't go to a dojo or gym I work out for myself (except rest days of course)

EddieP · 02-20-2008, 02:52 PM

it's not easy to write down something like that...lol..because you never know what someones reactions will be.

OSU!!!

Eddie P

joeurgod · 02-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Whdo i train? I train because it is the thing that my heart wants most. Nothing in my life can give me the "high" that kyokushin can. everytime i step into the dojo, my heart can't stop beating fast. i am always excited to go to the dojo and train. I have done alot of different styles of martial arts and kyokushin is the only one that makes sense to me. I train cause most importantly, it makes me feel alive.

Azimuth · 02-20-2008, 08:28 PM

I just love the feeling the day after : )

chen3141 · 02-20-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vapor

It is based on the translated dojo kun....
Which is a perfect place to lay your motivations within

vapor

My old English teacher always said, what needs to be said has been said already, and they've said it better than most of us could.

mpeters · 02-20-2008, 11:05 PM

I began training in MA because I thought while I'm taking my son to training I may as well get out there and give it a go. . . . I wish I had of started alot earlier. I was 32 when I started and I instantly loved it. . . I had always been into sports, but only the typical male NZer sports, rugby, touch rugby, rugby league (you get my drift I hope, rugby something). . . I've hung up the boots and replaced it with a dogi. It's in the blood now, in fact I hate having time away from it, I feel like I let myself down if I'm not doing some kind of training.

Osu

_Simon_ · 02-22-2008, 12:27 AM

this thread is fantastic, it really shows what kyokushin or martial arts can do for you.

EddieP, i know for a FACT that you can become that which you desire. the way you are talking, it's the way champions talk, we each have an absolute reserve of unlimited potential, i think we have to tap into that and REALISE it more often, in every moment it's all right there waiting for us to tap into. i know that feeling you're talking about, when you feel unstoppable ay! i believe in ya mate, but ya have to believe in yourself.

great to hear all this from everyone, very inspiring, and i shall hopefully SOON get back into a martial art!!!

Sponsored Links