Post By: Lee Phelan
Eventually one day it happens: you move incorrectly, have a lapse in concentration, or find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure enough, you walk away with an injury. Hopefully it wasn't serious. Maybe all you need is some ice, ibuprofen, and Tiger Balm. But sometimes it is serious, and you end up having to take some time off or drastically change how you train.
Injuries for the most part are frustrating, painful, and reminders of our vulnerability. However, they can also teach us a great deal.
Being injured does not have to interfere with your training. Just about anything we do can be modified and adjusted. Techniques can be done one handed, sitting down, slowly, gently, or even mentally. This forces us to use our other abilities to accomplish an end result. Sure, you may feel silly at first. But in actuality you are enhancing your training and adding an element of realism as well. In an actual self defense situation, you may not have all your weapons available. You may end up injured in the exchange and have to improvise. Working around an injury allows you to work on other facets of training that may otherwise be ignored. Without muscle to compensate, balance and positioning become that much more important.
That being said, always follow the advice given by a doctor or other medical professional. If they tell you to take it easy and stay out of practice, do it. If a Sensei tells you to stop and treat an injury, do it.
One of the biggest lessons the martial arts have taught me is perseverance. No matter what challenges are ahead, continue fighting and confidently head forward towards your goals.
Eventually one day it happens: you move incorrectly, have a lapse in concentration, or find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure enough, you walk away with an injury. Hopefully it wasn't serious. Maybe all you need is some ice, ibuprofen, and Tiger Balm. But sometimes it is serious, and you end up having to take some time off or drastically change how you train.
Injuries for the most part are frustrating, painful, and reminders of our vulnerability. However, they can also teach us a great deal.
Being injured does not have to interfere with your training. Just about anything we do can be modified and adjusted. Techniques can be done one handed, sitting down, slowly, gently, or even mentally. This forces us to use our other abilities to accomplish an end result. Sure, you may feel silly at first. But in actuality you are enhancing your training and adding an element of realism as well. In an actual self defense situation, you may not have all your weapons available. You may end up injured in the exchange and have to improvise. Working around an injury allows you to work on other facets of training that may otherwise be ignored. Without muscle to compensate, balance and positioning become that much more important.
That being said, always follow the advice given by a doctor or other medical professional. If they tell you to take it easy and stay out of practice, do it. If a Sensei tells you to stop and treat an injury, do it.
One of the biggest lessons the martial arts have taught me is perseverance. No matter what challenges are ahead, continue fighting and confidently head forward towards your goals.
Photo by: Akeeris
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