Funny saying. Summer here and summer not. It’s the ones that show up that progress. There are times that I couldn’t train in my history, or should I say I couldn’t go to class. I once took 2 months off to remodel a house that my dad and brother and I bought together. I was often the only one there of course, but I wanted to get it done so that I could get back to normal. Did I quit training, nope. I’d carry plaster board by grasping the top edge with both hands to train my grip and arms. I’d run up the steps. I’d do curls with paint and plaster buckets. I’d stand in stances while working. I did katas in the dark in my yard after I was through with the house. I kept a space in the living room clear enough to do kicks and worked on perfecting my spin kick at the time and yes in work boots. Hmmmm? Make work your workout? When I went back to class I really didn’t feel all that rusty. I could hang with class and maybe perform better in some areas than I had before. I’m still that way I’ll do kicks in the pool. I love doing kata at the beach. There’s nothing like running on the beach. I will admit, ju jitsu at the beach wouldn’t be much fun but I’m just saying. I’ve done kata in the snow. You have to do this!
Make karate part of your daily work or workout and you’ll progress easily and happily but train only in class or not train when you take some time off and you’ll fall far behind. I hope the kids that took off for the summer are practising because there’s some kids that are training like nuts to pass them up and they will!
Written by:
Shihan Culver
