Is it time to give up?

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by KaienSekai, Feb 25, 2018.

  1. KaienSekai

    KaienSekai Valued Member

    So lately I've become one of those people that have been debating if it's time to hang up the belt. I've noticed that I struggle to get to classes now and the only I do go is because I'm like I've already paid for this month I better go to get my money's worth. I just don't enjoy like I used to when I was a orange to just getting to my red belt. I'm an apprentice black belt right now and I'll either be testing for my black belt at the end of this year or beginning of next year. But it honestly feels like all I'm after right now is my black belt because I've worked to this point to just get it and then stop. But I feel morally wrong about my reason for wanting it. I feel to be a black belt is to be so much more than that. It's about having the respect which honestly I lack for my instructor but not for the other instructors that are in our system. I would transfer to them in a heartbeat but supposedly I would have to wait 3 months to switch schools. A black belt should have the maturity to look beyond how awful their instructor is at teaching. I'll be honest he's a great Martial arts but just sucks at teaching. And by just saying this and admitting this to myself I don't have the maturity to be a black belt. I know being a black belt means you can personally see you can always go beyond your limits. But right now I don't know what I need to do to do that because my instructor never tells me what I'm lacking. I would love for him to yell at me "Your not breathing in your form! Or you didn't look before you made that move!" So I just feel like I've plateaued because martial arts isn't like running or lifting weights where I can become self taught on what I need to do to reach new limits.

    Sorry for my rant. But what do you guys think is it time for me to hang up my belt?
     
  2. philosoraptor

    philosoraptor carnivore in a top hat Supporter

  3. philosoraptor

    philosoraptor carnivore in a top hat Supporter

    But you might think about switching to another gym if that would benefit you more.
     
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  4. aaradia

    aaradia Choy Li Fut and Yang Tai Chi Chuan Student Moderator Supporter

    I think you might very well regret it the rest of your life if you quit now, under those circumstances.

    If you have problems with your instructor, change instructors. Talk to whomever is in charge about why you need to change. Do it respectfully, but let them know the instructor isn't working well for you. (I am presuming you have already tried to work things out with the instructor directly of course.)

    A student of any rank should not have to look beyond poor instruction. Most of us pay to get instruction, and it is not unreasonable to expect good quality. I am curious though. How long have you studied under this person putting up with instruction you weren't happy with?

    The three month waiting thing doesn't make any sense based on what you have told us, but maybe there is something else we don't know? Anyways, worse comes to worse, wait the three months.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2018
    axelb likes this.
  5. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    Previously you've posted about this, and people suggested trying out other arts, did you ever try that?
     
  6. Knee Rider

    Knee Rider Valued Member Supporter

    Ignoring the fact that you definitely can observe that your instructor isn't s good teacher without it being immature and that to a certain extend you can also look critically at your own technique and analyse what needs changing and what is working, I have to ask - have you tried asking your instructor to look at your practice and provide direct feedback? It might just be that they aren't a very competent teacher, but if they are actually skilled (as you stated) then they might still be able to articulate good feedback for you if you guide the process and the focus of the critique. Why not pick a technique or a kata (urrgh wash my mouth out haha) which you feel you would like to understand better and ask.

    Learning is a two way street and in martial arts - as with anything - you get out what you put it. You need to be thinking for yourself, trying stuff out, be self critical to advance and if you are passionate/interested then you will be the driver and your teacher/s just signs on the road.

    If you think you've lost your passion then maybe cross training can light the fire again? It might even help you answer some questions about your current training.

    Good luck!
     
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  7. axelb

    axelb Master of Office Chair Fu

    From what you have written, it sounds like you would regret quitting before testing for black belt.

    I'm not sure why you have to wait 3 months to change school: is your next grading (black belt) coming up within that time frame?

    As noted by others on this thread, you have previously raised the question of changing school/instructor over a year ago.
    Clearly you decided to stay despite not enjoying the instructors methods.

    If you aren't planning to move or leave, then you can go to a didn't club/style as well for a different perspective?
     

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