I’m a patient man. Really. But there’s a special kind of martial artist out there who really irks me. Who is it?
The former martial artist. Someone who trained as a kid, or a couple years in college, or a few months as an adult, then quit.
If you quit martial arts, so be it. But do me a favor and stop calling yourself a martial artist! Don’t say stupid things like–
“I love martial arts, but I haven’t trained for years.” Wow. Such commitment. I hope your marriage works out better.
“I practiced martial arts when I was kid, so it’ll always be in me.” Really? You mean like the herpes virus?
“I used to do karate, but learning new katas got boring.” I see. You didn’t understand the value of your first kata, so learning more would be a waste of time. Makes sense.
“I took karate for six months and judo for about a year then blended them into my own style.” Impressive. You’re a 10th degree idiot.
All of these comments are annoying, but there’s one that pushes me over the edge. Here it is–
“I haven’t trained in a few years, but I remember everything. Martial arts is like riding a bike.”
Like riding a bike? Really?
Uh, no. Sorry. It’s not.
In the past, when someone told me martial arts was like riding a bike, I would just smile politely. Today, I can’t help myself. I answer, “It is? Well, then I guess I can stop wasting so much time practicing!”
If haven’t slept well, I might keep going–
“I guess I can stop paying for classes. I guess I can stop driving across town to work with the best instructors.”
“I guess I can stop getting up early and staying up late to practice on my own. I guess I can stop experimenting.”
“I guess I can stop reviewing my notebooks. I guess I can stop reading and watching videos. I guess I can stop taping myself to see how I can improve.”
Okay, I admit it– I’m hypersensitive. But isn’t it ridiculous and insulting to tell someone who is still learning and training that you can be just as good without learning and training?
Yes, you can jump on a bike after years of not riding and do just fine. But sparring? Grappling? Knife defense? No way. The longer you go without training, the quicker you’ll be turned into mincemeat.
I’m not alone on this. Consider the words of Gichin Funakoshi, the father of Shotokan Karate. He wrote down this piece of advice in The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate–
Karate is like boiling water– without heat, it returns to its tepid state.
A tepid state. In other words, use it or lose it, my friend. Practice.
Now, to be fair, if someone says martial arts changed their life in some philosophical or spiritual way, then yes, that practice session from 10 years ago may still be paying off. That’s why I always say, “even a little martial arts makes life a whole lot better.”
But that’s not who I’m talking about right now. I’m talking about people who still think they’ve got the moves, the know-how, the timing, the discipline to step right back into training where they left off.
Or the people who think that when it comes to martial arts, they’ve “been there, done that.”
No, you haven’t! Not even close.
Of course, if you quit martial arts, you have no idea what I’m talking about. If you didn’t continue to invest time and effort into your art, it’s impossible to know what you missed. But let me share this with you…
Over the years, I have seen many students come and go. While it’s always sad to see someone quit, it is actually sadder to see them return! Especially a senior student or former teacher. Here’s why…
When a senior student or former teacher returns, they are never as good as when they left. Definitely not as good as I remember them.
Where they used to be slick and skillful, they’re now rusty and clumsy. Where they were once inspiring, they’re now depressing.
Where I’ve gotten better, they’ve gotten worse. Where my water is boiling, their water is tepid.
Of course, I’m always happy to have old friends back on the mats, but it’s such a shame to have so many memories tarnished.
Don’t let this happen to you! If you’re training now, keep training. Keep your water boiling!
On the other hand, if you truly feel you’ve gotten everything you want out of martial arts, then move on. No hard feelings. Just don’t fool yourself into thinking that you’re not losing skill every day that goes by without training.
A final piece of advice. I picked this up years ago, but never discovered the source. If you know it, please leave a comment. Here it is–
If you don’t practice for one day, you will know. If you don’t practice for two days, your teacher will know. If you don’t practice for three days, everyone will know.
Talk about pressure! That advice has haunted me since the day I heard it. It not only sets a high standard, it presents a daunting challenge– practice every day… or else!
Practice when you’re tired, when you’re sick, when you’re traveling. Practice on your birthday, on vacation, on holidays.
Make no mistake– practice is the secret to greatness. It’s also the doorway to a magical phenomenon…
Practice martial arts every day and they are transformed from something you do into something you are.
That’s why I say again…
Martial arts is not like riding a bike. It’s living a life.
Very nice, Ando! And I will NEVER equate it to riding a bike, after this!!! All kidding aside, it is like any commitment. If you don’t put any effort in, you get nothing back…and it shows. Stay on the steadfast track, friends.
You got it, Martial Arts Woman. Slow and steady wins the race!
Ossu! [bow]
So very true – it’s not at all like riding a bike. I recently returned to karate after 27 years. It’s been all about sweat, sore muscles, drilling, and practice, practice, practice. Class meets only twice a week, so my teenage daughter coaches me! Returning isn’t easy, but it is fun. Performing a kata to the best of my ability is every bit as much of a joy as it ever was, and I’m glad that hasn’t changed.
[bow]
[Bow to you!] Hi Jo! Welcome to my site!
To make a comeback after 27 years… and to still find joy in practicing kata… and to share the mats with your daughter…
Enough! You made me cry! You rock. Happy training! [Bow]
Ossu! [bow]
Glad to be here!
Thank you very much – it’s been an exciting two months and my daughter is just bubbling over with joy. I made a Sensei cry? Wow 🙂 Thanks for the compliments, and I’m looking forward to reading more. [bow]
Thx Bruce!!
Big fan of BL.
No doubt in my mind he would tell you the exact same thing.
Like riding a bike?
I lost my health many years ago have slowly been working a basic workout back into my life.
Recently i got into a confrontation that could not be avoided. Believe me, when it hits, it still hits all by itself. Like riding a bike. The extra vulnerability we feel from not being ‘on top of our A game’ might play a part in that. However, we really should be using our art to protect the other party – not destroy it.
Howdy Shayne!
Glad you still had some moves in you when you needed them. And glad you are back on the path to good health. Keep fighting!
Well said Sensei! The dojo calls!!!
I hear it… KIAI!!
Some people crash when they get back on the bike.
Ha! Exactly, Kevin. And some people crash by going too fast. Either way, wear a helmet!
Well, I’m definitely not a martial artist (I did a little Tae Kwon Do when I was seven, took a single “free first class” of Karate in high school, and a few weeks of Kung Fu as an adult, but never had a real commitment), but some aspects of muscle memory ARE like riding a bike. Back during that “first class for free” Karate experience, the sensei was surprised that I had no trouble throwing a corkscrew punch… which I’d learned as a kid doing TKD.
Yes, nitpicking, and I’m almost a caricature of what you’re describing, but I felt the need to point it out. Great blog!
Thanks for commenting, Alejandro! Always appreciate other points of view.
Don’t get me wrong– your body obviously retains certain capabilities. That’s where the phrase “like riding a bike” came from in the first place! But if someone who hasn’t ridden a bike in 20 years grabs a BMX to enter the X Games, they’ll get killed!
In the same way, people who learned to punch years ago but haven’t practiced one day since are kidding themselves if they think they know everything about punching. Or fighting. Or anything!
The combination of ignorance and confidence gets people killed! That’s all I’m saying. Thanks again!
Yes, it’s definitely a minor point. I’m pretty honest about my own shortcomings, and I’m fully aware that being able to throw a corkscrew punch doesn’t make me even a decent puncher, much less a fighter. I got here after finding your videos on working the heavy bag… I just bought one and my stamina is just not there. Trying to break the pattern of years of asthma-aided sedentary lifestyle here.
Good for you for getting back in the game, Alejandro! Take it slow and steady and you’ll be knocking that bag around in no time. Let me know if I can help!
Good article !
I’m a former pro cyclist. So I know all about riding the bike. I used to ride around 600 miles a week. Started racing at 15 years old. I’m now 48. I haven’t ridden a bike for three years, but recently started again. Yes, I could get on it and ride it. And my legs/CNS kinda remembered. But ‘this’ riding the bike was nothing at all like the ‘old’ riding the bike. Yes, I could quickly get fit. I know how to suffer. In less than a year I could be winning races locally. But I’ll never be like I was. Never.
Martial arts ? I was a black belt at 18. Came back to it at 46. Big big shock to the system. But interestingly, I’d retained so much. Picked up the katas really quickly. Could still block and punch well. Yes, I was slower. Not as sharp. But after just six months I was sparring with good black belts and feeling very confident.
So I agree completely with the article. But actually, anyone can ride a bike to white belt standard. Riding it to black belt standard is very hard. And riding it to 4th Dan level, pro level, is prettying impossible.
I’d say it’s the same in karate. And certainly in aikido, my second art. How many will ever get a black belt ? And how many get their 4th Dan ?
Dabblers can always dabble. They come and go. But taking time out from your art and then expecting a high level to come quickly is impossible. Sadly. It’ll take twice the effort that it initially required.
Wish I’d never stopped karate. Wish I’d never stopped cycling !
Damnit !
Hi Adrian!
Thanks for sharing so much of your journey. I’m always interested to hear about someone else’s ups and downs!
You’re right– riding a bike or throwing a punch at a “white belt” level does stick with you. But more advanced capabilities get rusty terrifyingly fast!
My frustration when I hear former martial artists say “it’s like riding a bike” is that they don’t even realize how much more there was to learn. Or how much better they could have become. What a shame! They’ve probably set limits on how much they can learn in other areas of their life, too, which is even worse. Maintaining a student mindset is crucial for making the most out of life, methinks.
Of course, that doesn’t apply to you. You found your way back to cycling and karate and are completely aware of what was lost and what it’ll take to get back in the game. Upsetting, for sure, but at least you have a clear idea of where you stand. It’s the ones who delude themselves into thinking nothing was lost that are in danger.
Thanks again for commenting, sir. Happy training!
So True can’t count how many times I have seen former Military or even Ametuer Boxers that have been retired a few years get completely embarrassed by one not even considered a challenge. Everyone had picked a winner prior to the fight based on ones past achievements or unproven reputation.
Yes, sir! Always amusing to see overconfidence go up against underestimated. I know which side I’d rather be on! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for sharing informative content regarding martial arts. Your content is very much helpful. Keep sharing this type of content with us.
Thank you very much for the comment, Lia! I’ve got lots more to say. 🙂 Happy training!