Put on your Gi

10.2014

Even when I had a hard day at work and really don’t feel like working out but I  know I kinda have to, I put on my Gi and start to train and end up having a great workout.  There really is something about putting on your Gi, doing hundreds of basicS, then hitting and kicking bags, pads,and each other, then going through kata.  It just makes you feel good. Maybe because class is over, or you remembered your kata, or you just tried hard in everything that you did.. whatever the reason, it is because you put on your Gi.

There has been a number of times when people have come to the dojo not feeling good or just don’t think they can work out for what ever reason, but after training for a couple of hours and class is over  their joking around with each other, laughing and feeling great. This is because they did something they didn’t want to do or think that they couldn’t do but made themselves do. This is building power, not just physical but mental.

The thing about just wearing sweats and a tee shirt, or shorts and a tank, to work out in is great if you are lifting weights, jogging or most any other sports,  but by putting on your Gi you are making the commitment to do  karate,  (martial arts).  There really isn’t anything else you can do in it !  With sweats or shorts you can go to the store,  the movies, shopping , go out and eat dinner. But if you wear your Gi doing these things you look like a nut or just a weirdo ( little kids can get away with it).

The time in the dojo is your time, you should put the problems of the day in the back of your mind  and just work out.  I know that this type of training is not for everyone, and that’s okay.  What ever your reason for training is okay also,   it’s just the fact that you put on your Gi and did karate, that is the main point.

I know that this isn’t the answer to all your problems or the world’s problems but it helps.  By just forgetting the day’s problems and being in the moment is a great feeling. The problems will still be there, but by letting them go for awhile sometimes an answer to a problem comes to you when you are training and not worrying about it.

Here’s a quote from Gichin Funakoshi (founder of modern Shoto-kan):

“If a man who runs a temperature practices karate until the sweat begins to pour from his body, he will soon find that his temperature has dropped to normal, and that his illness has been cured. If a man with gastric troubles does the same, it will cause his blood to circulate more freely and so alleviate his distress”.

Here’s one from Master Takazawa…  “ Just work out”

So after a hard day leave your problems and your shoes at the door, put on your Gi,

and I’ll see you in the dojo