I think, for some, there comes a lull point in one's training where you find yourself dragging your heels to group class. Your punches don't get through while your defense falls apart just a little bit too easily. Hits hurt more than usual and class slooowws down to a crawl. Your partner becomes your worst enemy and your instructor's words just appear to be repetitive and, as passionate as it is, uninspiring. At this point, you know you're depressed – WT style.
Exercises become a chore and lessons become a lecture. It can be a dark time in one's training.
Here are 5 major factors that contribute to this:
1) A lack of measurable success – getting hit over and over again isn't fun. Neither is not being able to hit. When the person you train with is too good or your instructor just doesn't let you experience the taste of success, it intrinsically tells us that we are failing. To this, the problem is fueled by an egotistical partner or instructor who won't allow themselves to be hit and, therefore, feeds the victim's own increasing lack of self-esteem. Wing chun training is even a better candidate for such problems because there is so much hands-on partner training involved. There is not the same focus on hitting "imaginary" opponents or focus mitts.
2) Information overload – the instructor repeatedly points out the lack of foot work, the lack of flexibility, the proper hand positions, the techniques of the drill, the ultimate goal of the exercise, etc, etc. It is sometimes too much. We are overwhelmed by it all that we cannot focus on any one aspect of the training exercise. There is no foundation or perspective for which an "overloaded" person can grasp onto to advance his skills, knowledge in a positive and successful direction.
3) Environmental tedium – you train with the same people every class, especially since they're at your level. You see the same faces week in and week out. Not only that, you train in the same room with the same instructor for all those months and/or years. It can get boring. Not only that, it can perpetuate the first 2 above points if you come across the same uncooperative instructor or partners at every session.
4) Lack of long term goal – a year after training, it's possible to forget why you even started training in the first place. You're caught up in learning how a tan sao works, or how the stance should be trained, that you forgot you wanted to learn this system of self defense to protect yourself. Is this goal being met? Perhaps it is, but can you see how it's being met? Perhaps not. Time to take a moment and see why wanted to join in the first place – is it for fitness, for fun, to meet people? Are you reaching this goal? It's very likely that in the midst of learning how to punch, we've forgotten what initially drove us to this art – that goal is gone and with it, goes our passion and desire to learn.
5) Lack of challenge – sometimes when you're too good at what you do, you feel that your training partner or instructor cannot provide you with enough of a challenge to keep things stimulating. Things are set into cruise control and boredom sets in.
So based on this what are some possible solutions?
1) Outline measurable goals – I want to be able to throw 1000 chain punches or I want my tan sao to work better or I want to be able to punch harder. Let your instructor and your colleagues in so that they can help you. Mind you, you'll need to the right training partner. If your partner is not cooperative, look for a new one. No need to cut ties, but just know who to depend on when you're looking to train a specific aspect of your wing tsun. Also give yourself a time line – 4 months, 1 year, 16 weeks? Like any goal, make sure it's reachable and set a time limit.
2) When you have 15 things you need to work on for one exercise (eg, stance, head is up, tan sao, punch, stomach is slightly flexed, etc etc), I don't care which one you choose, but just pick one and focus on perfecting that move. Once you're comfortable with that, add the next factor. Kinda like playing drums on Rockband! And if this means getting hit more, take the time to let your partner know what you're doing and that he/she should do this or that to help you. Your partner is there for YOU, use the time. Just be ready to return the favour when it's his time to do the drill. You can slow things down for yourself, but speed it up for your partner if he/she is looking for more of a challenge or is comfortable with the drill. Adapt to each other.
3) Organize for class to be held somewhere else – beach class perhaps? This is where seminars are handy too as it brings in new students and possibly new instructors into the mix. Mix up the student grades or integrate "unorthodox" training into the wing chun class – focus mitts, weapons, a video camera, or prepare for a demo for a celebratory event.
4) Take a moment and reflect on why you wanted to learn wing chun. For some, this might even mean taking a short break from it altogether. Sometimes it's just a good five minutes of introspection (ahh, I remember getting beat up as a kid!) and the fire comes roaring back in… If you realize that your goal was never met, see if it can be and make an effort for it. For example, let's say I wanted to meet new people but realize I keep training with the same 2 guys. Well, during break or after class, make an effort to talk to someone different in class. Grab a beer maybe?
5) This is for the cocky asses ;) My advice, go walk into a free fighting club and take a stab at some sparring sessions. If you're really cocky, video tape it and post the outcome (good or bad) on youtube. You may do very well or not as well as you hoped, but regardless, will definitely teach you a thing or two to bring back to your school and into your training.
Well there you have it.
Until then.
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