Test Your Limits

by Sensei Mike Pepe

No one signs up for karate to "get hurt". If the application stated "you are going to be injured here” many would not sign on the dotted line. People assume the training environment is safe and they don't give it a second thought.   They imagine karate is something fun. Many others are doing it and the environment is safe.  Martial arts students also assume that they will leave the dojo unscathed and will continue their "other" life outside karate. 

   Unfortunately karate training comes with many dangerous situations. These opportunities for danger arise almost from the first training session.     Karate is inherently dangerous. The act of kicking and punching at another person sounds like trouble in the making.    Dangerous situations are minimized by the mandatory use of head, mouth, shin and hand protection. Softer floors, easier exercises, etc, etc.  Much of this allows for people with admitted bad knees, bad backs, and all sorts of other sports ending injuries to begin practice in the art of karate.

 But should safety be taken to such extremes?

In order to advance you must push yourself to your limits. It is what makes mankind advance. The drive to succeed. To advance. To do better.   In order to find one’s limits, you must break through them. You must not be held back by the fear of injury. Many times students settle into a comfort zone…

How would you know how much you can take if you don't take it. Of course a mouthpiece is a good idea.  You should often break out of your comfort zone while training to push the limits of your ability.  Yes, you will get injured at some time during your martial arts training otherwise you're not trying hard enough!  Only those willing to risk going too far will know how far they can go.

Sensei Mike

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