The Beginning of a Never-Ending Journey

The human body is an intricate system with many parts that function as a whole. It can take a lifetime to learn about it and yet you won’t know it all. Likewise, the journey in martial arts is the same. The martial arts journey is one that is never-ending. Some say it is a pursuit of a goal where perfection can’t be reached. It can be chaotic while rolling as you are fighting for your life but in the end that calmness and happiness that you gain from learning is a feeling that cannot be replicated. Martial arts allows the mind to stay sharp, as you are constantly thinking and adjusting based on the reactions and challenges that are before you. It allows you to truly feel the functions of your body. We are constantly learning, evolving, and progressing. It is the driving force behind our determination to be better practitioners.

The past 2 years have presented their own challenges with the pandemic but I think that it has made us all stronger. Stronger in the sense that we are more grateful to be able to practice and do what we do safely. When you have something taken away from you that you hold valuable it becomes essential. You begin to truly understand why you wanted to start martial arts in the first place.

Apart from the physical aspect of martial arts there is a therapeutic one as well. The therapy not only comes from martial arts in and of itself but it also comes from the friendships you gain. You will meet the most humble people on the mats. They come from all walks of life. They are always willing to help, listen, and provide a shoulder to lean on. Having done traditional martial arts since I was a child there is nothing that compares to the camaraderie that I see on the mats. From day one, coming in looking like a deer in headlights, there has always been an upper belt that is willing to guide me. The instructors are undoubtedly the backbone of our academy and without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish our individual goals. Their patience and breadth of experience is what is being instilled in each of us. They make us strive to do our best and our accomplishments are all due to their support and guidance.

The nature of my work does not allow a set schedule. I appreciate the flexibility that I can have, training early in the day or later at night. Most of my training sessions are with little to no sleep after working on a specific project or playing late night weekend gigs. As tough as it may be to bring myself into the dojo to train, I know that in the long run it will all be worth it.

I had heard that martial arts was addictive in a sense but, I didn’t realize exactly how much. I find myself engulfed in it entirely and hope to share this with my kids as they grow up. The enthusiasm that it has given me is second to none and the balance in life that it provides is powerful. I fully urge you to begin the journey for yourself.