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"How To Avoid Training Burnout"
Like any endeavor, sometimes there can be
too much of a good thing. And as much as I hate to admit it, burn out
can happen in your Kenpo training.
So what are you to do if you’re burned out? How do you get yourself out
of it? Is there hope? How can you avoid it in the first place?
The good news is that it’s entirely possible to work through it and get
back on top. And fortunately it’s also 100% preventable.
Obviously it’s best to try and get ahead of things before you’re burned
out so you can turn things around more readily. Once it hits, it takes a
lot more work then before you arrive there.
Helpful tips to avoid burnout
Recognize and communicate. First and foremost, regular communication
with your instructor is a start. They can’t help you if they don’t know
you’re in a slump. If you think you’re headed for burnout, talk to them
first. It can make all the difference.
Strive for balance. Kenpo training can sometimes get students so excited
that they start to neglect other areas of their life. Remember to do
things outside of the martial arts, too.
Break up the monotony. Sometimes you don’t have to forgo training
completely. Just mix things up a bit. Train in different settings,
perhaps outdoors. Wear different clothes and shoes. Start using a
punching bag. Change the order of your workout. The key is to introduce
small changes into your training routine, not drastic ones. Otherwise
they won’t stick.
Engage your senses. Stimulate your mind, body and spirit. Read a book
about a different martial art. Watch an action movie with martial arts
in it. Listen to music that stimulates your mind when working out.
Reflect on your training in a park.
Have a realistic mindset. Students have the misconception they need to
perform with grace, speed, and power of a black belt, even when they’re
just a beginner. We push and push to match that vision we have in our
head even when it’s not realistic. Remember, it will come in time and to
not push so hard for quicker results that might not readily come.
Sometimes, you just need to back off things for a while. I recommend you
continue to go to class but perhaps pull back a little bit in a couple
of select areas. If you’re working out a ton at home, pull back a few
days a week for a while then focus your efforts in class.
Integrate these ideas. They just the tip of the iceberg but hopefully
get you moving in the right direction.
If you’re getting close to burn out, don’t feel embarrassed. It happens
to the best of us. If you think you are, don’t hesitate to contact me. I
can help you through it.
Respectfully,
Maurice A. Gomez Sr.
American Kenpo Black Belt
MAX Dojo American Kenpo Karate Studios
www.maxdojo.com
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