Valid excuses for taking time off of MA

[Humanpunchbag]

I am one of those "weirdos" who does MA for the sake of doing it. I'm not the best fighter around however, I enjoy making continuous progress. That progress is constantly haulted by my circumstances. I am a student at a somewhat prominent University, I can train all I want the first few weeks of school. Evenentually finals come around and I disapear without any training for 2 weeks. I start to feel weak, soft, flabby, and inneficient.

When I stop training I also get kind of moody, MA is a great form of therapy. Lately I've been going through a personal crisis, a good friend of mine passed away. I thought MA would help me, but I had a hard time focusing in class. I managed to go in once this week. I feel like I'm sorely lacking in consistency. Has anyone else ever experienced a slump? How did you manage to get through it?

[E-Rocker]

Sometimes doing MA helps with an emotional crisis. Sometimes you have to take a break from the MA to get through the emotional crisis. (Taking time off to recover from a physical injury is also a thoroughly legitimate reason to take time off). I've done both in the course of my MA experience.

[timex]

It will take time to get over your loss.

I know what it's like not being able to focus--but it will come back.

Go to ma when you can--from what you say, you get a lot out of it,as I think we all do--time seems to get things in better perspective, and your focus will return. Doing something is better than doing nothing--when you feel like going to class-GO!! Don't think about it ,even if your focus is off. You'll probably feel better after.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[Brad Ellin]

I'm taking a break right now. A one year break from class. Some training on my own, but right now my focus is own spending time with my daughter. My job takes me out of country for at least 1/3 of each month. Last year I was gone 6 months. I also have various health problems I'm trying to address. The most recent being a severly sprained ankle (velcro boot thingy for 3 weeks, no stairs, no work)

It's okay to take some time off, time to re-evaluate your training and yourself. Sometimes, that time off helps you see things in your training that you could not see before, less tunnel vision and more of the big picture.

[benkei]

First of all I am very sorry for your loss. I have never lost anyone close so I will not patronise you by commenting further on it.

I spent my first 6 years training almost 5 days a week without a day off. The I got a couple of minor injuries, you know 2 week things like muscle pulls and such. I was annoyed to miss class but 2 weeks wasn't so bad. Then I had a couple of major injuries - knee and rib, and shoulder. These meant lots of time out so I had to supplement other things. Being a budoka I looked at other forms of budo to replace training. I had already learned some meditation so I did that, did yoda (ok not budo) which was great, and also some archery and swordwork. Basically whatever my injury permitted I did and tried to keep a meditative mindset about it. I learned alot and am glad for the time I was forced to take off. It gave me plenty of new perspectives.

I have just gone back after a year off due to military training. I had a falling out with my old instructor so I am now doing judo and something completely different in naginata. Let me tell you, I haven't felt myself that entire time and am still always itching because I haven't satisfied that part of my brain that screams "I want to train".

I guess what I'm trying to say is training can go in waves, sometimes the up side is long and good, but you have to wipe out eventually and do what you can to learn as much as you can in those times too.....

[Hiroji]

My training history is littered with slumps and breaks from training.

I do it because i enjoy it, not to follow a warrior’s code or something, so a break when i need one is fine by me.

If you want a break from training you don’t need a valid excuse, doing martial arts isn’t a life sentence.

However, from my many breaks I would encourage you to just try and keep going, try and work through it as you alwasy feel better when you go.

Good luck mate and sorry for your loss.

[coma]

When something like that happens you have a reason for not training, I don't think you would need an excuse of any kind.

[slipthejab]

On top of what everyone has said... if you've lost a friend then it's important that you actually go through a grieving process. If not... you can end with all sorts of problems later on. It's important be in touch with yourself. Sometimes sad, seemingly unjust or unfair shizzle happens in life and you have to deal with. So it's important to realize that grieving is sometimes a necessary part of the process of moving on with life.

Don't get too down on yourself... train when you can and remember the bigger picture. Good luck and condolences on the loss of your friend.

[JayKayD]

If your planning on doing MA's for most of your life, than a few months here and there aren't going to make much difference.

[Rhea]

Exactly. Often a break can bring a new perspective and enjoyment.

[southern jester]

from my limited experience practicing martial arts and speaking with others that do the same here are some common reasons heard for taking a break.

1. kids have variety of intrests. often want to play sports and practice martial arts. try dividing time when certain sport 'seasons' arrive.

2. short or long term injury. this is a quite valid reason that really should never be considered by others as excuse.

3. emotional difficulties. know from experience that personal problems can take some time for working through. loss of loved one, break up during a relationship and divorce are rough to deal with.

4. obligations that are more important. seriously overtime at work, problems with finances and supporting your childrens activities by attendance should result in prioroty check.

5. burn-out. have seen number of martial artists just need a break. they might have stopped for good without a little time for doing other things. word of caution here. seems more difficult to get started again than stopping.

most of us are not in situations where martial arts are neccesary to survive on everday basis. the majority of martial art students that i personally know practice for enjoyment and other benifits of martial arts.