Challenging the burn out

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by KaienSekai, May 23, 2017.

  1. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    So I'm sure everyone is aware of their students getting burnt out doing martial arts either they feel like they have plateaued or they aren't as interested in martial arts as they once were. So I want to ask you guys what do you do with your students when they get this way. I have seen some instructors recommend helping with the younger class however my full time job is a teacher and doing that would be make me feel burnt out of my actual job which is the last thing I want. So what would you guys suggest I do since I already know my forms up until my next belt so what would the next step to challenging this burn out be? Would it be start using weight clothing like vests or wrist/ankle weights or just practice polishing up on my forms like doing my forms slowly and making the perfect adjustments?
     
  2. kandi

    kandi Valued Member

    Learn more forms, compete in tournaments, cross train, get faster and stronger at what you do know.

    Why did you start MA in the first place? Are those reasons still there?
     
  3. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    Learning more forms-My instructor won't teach anymore forms until after I get my apprentice black belt. So should I teach myself more forms? I do cross train and as for getting stronger and faster so your staying just practice on my own try to do forms as strong as I can and do them as strong as I can. I do feel tournaments are actually a good thing for me since I feel myself not training hard in class compared to when I train on my own. And a tournament will help me get to the next level.

    As for why I started doing martial arts. I would say it's more than when I started originally I just wanted to do something to kill time. But now I want to be as strong and fast as I can possibly be. And getting my black belt has always been on my bucket list ever since I saw my brother get his.
     
  4. kandi

    kandi Valued Member

    Why do you feel you don't train as hard in class? Perhaps fix that :) Try learning a kata outside of your school syllabus for a bit of variety. But back to your school curriculum, what is left for you to learn, practice and perfect prior to your black belt? Do that stuff too!

    I am a little worried that after you get your BB, what then? Will you have any motivation after that goal is ticked off?
     
  5. blindside

    blindside Valued Member

    Most of the time I feel like I plateau I try to give myself a new challenge to work for, something that is different. So it might be a tournament or an event, or to try studying a different style. Word of warning, in my case that eventually led to me totally switching styles, so that can have its drawbacks. :D Most importantly is to keep in the habit of training, keep the schedule even if you are going through the motions, eventually the drive will come back.
     
  6. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    Not having the black belt as a main goal should help for motivation; as kandi said - what is, once you have it?

    I prefer training, because I enjoy it. The belts come, when it's time for them, but I don't usually decide "by time x I have belt y".
    I prefer being a very good lower belt compared to being a bad higher belt.

    Therefore I also don't stop learning things, because I wouldn't need them for my next grading.
    So I don't need them - who cares?

    I also don't have the problem of being too good too soon for my grading - there is always a new detail I need to pay attention for; my teachers have really high standards.


    What my point is: I even try to explain to the kids I co-train that the belt isn't so important, because I don't want them to take their whole motivation out of that.
    I want them to train for fun and because they enjoy it.

    Of course people might also lose their interest.
    I'd take a look at something else (but keep training as long as I can motivate myself), so that I'd get my head a bit more free from whatever I burn out, and therefore might later find out again, why I did like it in the first place.

    But to be honest: So far I didn't have the problem.
    When I plateau I just keep training, but ask my teachers if I make any progress in anything, because I usually don't see my progress by myself anyway :eek: :D
     
  7. Alansmurf

    Alansmurf Aspire to Inspire before you Expire Supporter

    Take a break ... see if it draws you back with a renewed drive

    If it doesnt light your fire ...then its time to move on and find something different

    A belt is not the goal ...the knowledge and confidence as a martial artist should be

    Smurf
     
  8. Pretty In Pink

    Pretty In Pink Moved on MAP 2017 Gold Award

    Take a break. Or at least, go and try a different martial art. When I burn out, I go to a different martial art. Kali or wrestling normally.
     
  9. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    Kandi-I feel like my stances could always improve. Honestly I don't know if I'll ever make it to my BB since I'll be moving in a year or two. But my goal after my BB is to find another martial art to learn to help me get even stronger. Also for not trying in class it's because I just feel like I'm going through the motions so my body feels like "Eh why bother"

    Blindside-Yeah I feel your right if I go to a tournament I feel like I'll actually want to push myself.

    Latikos-I would love to keep training in my current art since after I get my bb if I get to that point since I would love to get a Master's belt which is around 4th-6th degree. But I would also want to dive into other martial arts as well to enhance my own abilities. The reason I won't be learning anything new though is because according to my schools syllables I've learned everything up until my next belt. Which really just leaves me to make my forms more smooth. I mean if I didn't enjoy it I would probably have quit by now. I'm shocked to hear you haven't felt burnt out. What gup/belt are you at?

    Alan smurf-I feel like I've already reached this goal your talking about. My confidence almost feels like aggorance sometimes which bothers me smurf-smurf.

    Chadderz-I plan to take a bit of a break hopefully it'll relight my fire.
     
  10. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    I'm actually not doing it that long so far.
    I strated only four years ago; began once a week and added further classes until I trained four days a week.
    For two years now I train five days the week, and still try to get as many seminars as I can manage.

    I'm only a 4th kyu (JJ, Karate, ATK), fifth in Kickboxing and white-yellow in Judo, so not much.
    Might (big might) try for third Kyu before the summer, but so far I'm still missing enough dynamic.
    I'm aware that I won't make it far in all those styles, but I still train them for fun, because I just like it, and because they add to each other; my main thing is JJ though.

    My main goal is actually to have fun and enjoy training; everything else (getting more on guard, self-confidence...) are great and I am glad to have them, but they became mostly a bonus.
    Belts are okay and it can be fun to work for them, but in the end... I don't know... as I mentioned, I prefer being a very good lower belt.
    I get comments on seminars, wondering why I only wear orange - and that shows me, that my teachers are doing a good job.
     
  11. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    I only started 2 years ago and I'm at my 1st gup which means I get my apprentice black belt/ Cho Dan Bo then I get my Cho Dan. I've only progressed so quickly because I went every day for a year and a half. And I'm assuming that due to you taking multiple martial arts you don't feel the burn as badly as I do since I only do one. Tonight at class I actually noticed something I really need improvement on and that's my balance. I have great strength due to weight lifting and edurance from running but I've never solely focused on training my balance. It was so bad that most the kids were doing better than me. I feel better a lower belt you still feel the excitement of that you have so much to learn
     
  12. kandi

    kandi Valued Member

    You're two years in and you trained everyday for most of that? No wonder you burned out!

    Google blue belt blues :)
     
  13. cloudz

    cloudz Valued Member

    good ideas here already, I'll say the same.
    After 15 years all 3 have worked for me at various times.

    a break, but for some reason I think the other two for you are better options. (2 yrs not long enough for a proper break..)
    something different and challenging, another style/ art, or a type of training (like yoga).
    a tournament of some kind; probably nothing else will focus you and raise your game better.

    For a bonus; sparring people from other systems can also be a great motivator, if you can find them. Well you can find them in another class, certainly.

    good luck
     
  14. Tom bayley

    Tom bayley Valued Member

    Maybe you have plateaued because you are ready to change the way that you think about your art. if you are nearly a blackbelt then you have nearly learnt your martial arts drivers licence. Maybe it’s time to get out and explore the roads for yourself.

    Pick a form that you like. Find a training partner. Try creating new techniques using the literal movements from the form. Most will not work. This is good. Ask yourself why did this not work. Every now and again you will hit on something that does work. This will give you a new insight and understanding of your art.

    Gradually you will change from passively receiving information to actively seeking, learning and questioning what you have learnt.

    Note: care - always practice improvised techniques at half speed or less. When you begin do not improvise throws. Do not improvise neck locks or cranks. There is potential to seriously injure your training partner. So take it easy, take it slow, never force anything, and always quit training before you get tired.
     
  15. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    There'd be no way in "my" clubs to get a black belt that fast, no matter how often you train.

    What I train is very similar to each other, so the arts compliment each other.

    In all honesty, I don't know why I haven't burnt out or anything.

    Maybe, because we don't only train for the belts, but for getting better.
    Outside from the times, where we train for the gradings, everyone learns nearly the same (some techniques of course have to be adjusted; new people who can't breakfall won't do stuff where it's important to fall properly).
    So free techniques are really important in our training.
     
  16. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    Cloud- I think your right another area or yoga would come in really handy for me. And a tournament would definitely help out my game. I should try to spar others maybe do MMA.

    Tom bayley-I actually do feel like I plateaued until the other day when I realized how much I could improve my balance so it's exciting to feel I'm lacking on something. That's true at moment I just want to learn more but where am at the moment makes me feel like I can't learn anymore at my current level so maybe it's time for me to learn my next art.
     
  17. Alansmurf

    Alansmurf Aspire to Inspire before you Expire Supporter

    Alan smurf-I feel like I've already reached this goal your talking about. My confidence almost feels like aggorance sometimes which bothers me smurf-smurf.


    No one ever reaches that goal ....I trained with a lovely man for the past 15 years who was on the mats for 56 years .......and he claimed to have only done 10 -12 perfect techniques in that time...

    He always claimed he wasnt worthy of his grades but I guarantee you he was...and yet he kept looking for improvement

    As for the arrogance thing .... you need to broaden your horizons and test your skills in other arenas...

    I remember a very good fourth Dan throwing me around the mats just after I achieved my first Dan ....He made me look like a beginner and as he pinned me on the mats he whispered in my ear " Remember there will always be someone better than you out there" and this has made me strive to improve each session on the mats..

    Another gem of knowledge is that it takes 3000 to 5000 repetitions to become proficient at a technique ....but thousands more to be an expert

    Smurf Out
     
    KaienSekai likes this.

Share This Page