Have you ever found yourself training on a metaphorical island of your style of martial arts? You might have started training in one particular style and progressed through the ranks, or it was just something that really clicked for you; and then life happened and you had to move, your job schedule changed, or your studio might have closed. Now you are out in this vast sea of martial arts and you don’t have anyone available to you that trains in your style. I have been there multiple times for various reasons throughout my years of training; and I can confirm… It’s hard! However, if you are willing to put in the work, sometimes being on an island can be a great way to grow as a practitioner. Here are a few things you can do to work through this obstacle.
- On your own, continue to practice what you know. Specifically your forms/hyung/kata! The beautiful thing about forms is that they were designed to be practiced in basically any environment and circumstance. You don’t want to lose what you already have built up. It takes a lot of dedication to do so, but the payoff is worth it.(For more information on practicing forms in other locations see Yoshi Ota’s recent article “Different Ways to Practice Forms, Anywhere”)
- Record yourself working through your material and rewatch it like game tape. This will help you see how you are progressing, and you can visually see your mistakes and techniques and adjust accordingly. I also recommend posting these videos either online in a group/community of others who practice your style of martial arts, or sending the videos to your instructor(s) and those with whom you used to train. This is a great way to receive feedback.
- Take advantage of technology! If your studio has the option for Zoom style online classes, do it! If not, the same concept applies, just set up an online training session with your friends/fellow practitioners. COVID was a tough time for many of us; and we couldn’t get into the studio to train in person. But thanks to the internet and a good webcam, we were still able to join classes online. Several studios and clubs still utilize this in their classes today. Check with your instructor and see if this is an option for you.
- Be willing to travel when you can. Ultimately in person training is still the best option if you can get it. Look around your area to find a school that trains in your style and check them out. It might be a ways away; I usually have to travel about 2 hours one way to get to a studio for my style of martial arts, but it will be worth it to train in person. And this option may only be feasible once a month, or even once a quarter; so make sure to take advantage of those training sessions and be an active participant. Ask questions and engage as much as you can. Take those training sessions back home and continue to learn from them.
In short, where there’s a will there’s a way. Don’t let your situation halt your progress. Be adaptable to your situation and continue to put in the work. It won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.
What do you suggest for someone in this situation? Leave your comments below.
