karate as a coping mechanism

[james luke]

I loved the image of Danielsan in the dentist waiting room doing kihon! I have to confess to doing similar things before job interviews or other stressful situations, I thought it was just me! This thread has confirmed to me the preponderance of truly decent people who make up the martial arts community. I thank the all those concerned well wishers who responded to the original question and would like to reassure them the occurrence was far in the past and all worked out well.
whatever benefits we feel and for whatever reasons, it seems the effect is real and commonplace so, to cross reference to another thread, I cant think of a better reason to keep on training!

[bob63]

maybe the dentist witnessed his karate and tried really hard not to hurt him

[Danielsan]

Been reading John Van Weenen's autobiography, and he offers probably the best use of karate as a coping mechanism. He worked as a night porter and used to sneak into the walk in fridge thingerbob (Mental image in my head is something like a pantry but dunno what it would be called) where he'd nick some apple pie. One night the door jammed on him and he started to freeze. Apparently he did kata for six and a half hours to keep warm before the morning staff came down to get breakfast ready.
Makes me feel a touch overdramatic with my dentist story

[gab]

hello all
i have skimmed through this thread and can relate to most of what you're all saying, karate as a coping mechanism in terms of taking one's mind off of things, also the relief when you hand yourself over to somebody's commands for an hour or so. but lately, i started to be angry at myself in the sense that i crave handing myself over, and that surely can't be a good thing? so am not training 'coz i need to live a life outside of dojo and that submission of my mind there started messing up with my life. whaddaya all say?
gab

[james luke]

Gab, I do not have the luxury of handing myself over to or submitting my thought processes to an instructor these days but I do derive benefit from leaving my problems outside the dojo door for a couple of hours and giving myself over to training. I realise any problems I have will still be waiting beyond those doors but that respite from stress is a healthy and positive thing. You of course must do whatever works for you, I guess the best gauge is how much you miss it. For me, those were the times I needed the camaraderie and atmosphere of the dojo the most.

[Lyndon_Davies]

hello all
i have skimmed through this thread and can relate to most of what you're all saying, karate as a coping mechanism in terms of taking one's mind off of things, also the relief when you hand yourself over to somebody's commands for an hour or so. but lately, i started to be angry at myself in the sense that i crave handing myself over, and that surely can't be a good thing? so am not training 'coz i need to live a life outside of dojo and that submission of my mind there started messing up with my life. whaddaya all say?
gab

Gab,
I'm just assuming (knowing no better) that you feel your training's taking over the rest of your life (something I'm sure we can all recognise at one point or another) but it's fairly natural for people to become "obsessed" with some hobby or another.
I said that handing myself over to someone in the dojo helped me to forget my other troubles for a short while, but I was always aware they'd be right there as soon as class ended. I didn't see it as a submission to someone else's will, more someone distracting me for a while but allowing me the luxury of not having to think about my problems. These days there are all sorts of "boot camp" circuit training classes that I imagine would achieve the same and possibly hurt nearly as much! If you look at it like that there's less chance of feeling like it's the bad side of the sensei/student "I control your @ss" scenario

But hey, a break should show you one way or the other what the situation is and you'll take it from there.

[gab]

hi
thanks lyndon and james (for your replies)
it was partly karate taking over my life physically, with aches and pains but unable to resist going to class (even if timewise, as per exercise, it remained quite little), but mentally, that part is worse, is like the teacher is in my head even now. like am hypnotised or something. it's , i assume, the combination of rapidly given orders and the fast movement of the body - whichever words i heard, they went straight to the subconscious(?), and now even if am trying to consciously undo it, it's real hard.
gab

[fujicolt]

Gab

I think you may be worrying about something that could in the long term be a good thing for you IF you have a positive and supportive Instructor. I suggest you read up on the concept of SHU HA RI and understand that to submit to superior knowledge and experience initially can be the start of your journey to eventually having more knowledge and expertise than that to which you initially was subordinate.

the words of those in power and with more knowledge than us will often echo down the years (parents, elders, teachers etc). if they are words of wisdom and sound advice that can be very beneficial - if they are unjustly critical or unsound advice that can be harmful.

So is your problem yours or does it lie with the instruction you are receiving? - worth a thought - especially if it helps you return to the SHU process and then transcend it through HA and RI

you must also be aware Karate study will make us take a very introspective look at ourselves that many other activities do not. that can be a difficult process - but ultimately very enlightening and benificial in the end - as i am sure many karateka would agree.



The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King.

good luck.