It isn't uncommon in the martial arts world for some martial artists to reach a certain place in their training and stop growing.
I mean, how many high-ranked people do you know that never, ever spar with someone who has a chance of beating them, or continue studying with other people as a student, or welcome that challenge that comes with training with people who don't necessarily 100% buy into their own style's worldview?
Me, I've noticed plenty of those out there. I'm sure if you think about it, you know who some of those folks might be.
I doubt I'll ever be one of those guys.
Not only did I start training late, and I feel like I'm always trying to catch up to my peers, but I'm never going to feel like I've learned enough.
I get a chance to do something new, and I take it.
My schedule is finally such that I have started training under an expert teacher in a style I've always - ALWAYS - wanted to study, as long as I've been training and I'd heard about this style.
Starting this month, I'm training at Chen Huixian’s Chenjiagou Taijiquan Academy!
Master Chen is a Chen family member and descendant of Chen Wang Ting, the founder of Tajichuan. And she's RIGHT HERE IN KANSAS CITY!
Isn't that just absolutely awesome? How lucky for me, right?
Right now classes are via Zoom, but when we can train in person again, I'll absolutely drive down to train with her.
One class in, I'm sore and my muscles tire quickly, but I am totally enjoying it.
I get that fitness aspect I'm looking for, I get that nice strong influence on my Arnis, and I get some new perspective on training.
What's not to like, right?
I took a taiji-in-the-park back when I lived in Las Vegas (Yang style) and I really liked it, so I'm stoked I get to take it up again.
This old dog is gonna keep learning new tricks.
Have you had the opportunity to try something new lately? Is there a style you've wanted to train in but it didn't work out? How are YOU going to keep your growth going in the martial arts? Let us know in the comments!
Comments