Practice makes perfect

How many times does a basketball player practice throwing the free throw shot? What about a baseball player, hockey player, tennis player, football player and soccer player? The list goes on and on. Ray Bradbury the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award winner and author once said, “I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before, but it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it.

Shouldn’t this pertain to martial arts as well? How many times do you practice your kicks, punches or forms per week? Do you only practice in class? If you want to get better then the only answer is practice and that includes practicing outside of class.

Bruce Lee once said, “If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits, there are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” If you are new to martial arts and you are thinking, “I only know a couple of kicks or punches”, now is the perfect opportunity to perfect them.

What if you have been doing martial arts for years and you think, “Well, I know my kicks and punches are good”, are they? There is always room for improvement? Did you know that Bruce Lee would throw 500 punches per day in order to improve his speed. Sometimes, he would even do 1000 or 2000 in a single day. Granted his training schedule was arduous but he trained with a goal in mind that he set for himself. He enjoyed the never-ending journey toward physical perfection.

However, the key to his success was in his training and practice. You may be thinking, “I simply don’t have enough time to practice”. One of the secrets to Bruce Lee’s training was how he decided to spend his time. The choices he made in each of his 24-hour days included several hours of training. You don’t have to figure out a way to train for several hours but, what about 15 – 30 minutes? It doesn’t have to be all at once. Have you ever tried sitting in horse stance during several commercials? Depending on the program, you could be standing there for 2 minutes! I bet if you tried you could figure out some creative times to practice your martial arts.

Michael Jordan once said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. However, obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Romans 8:26 tells us, “In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. Use any obstacles as an opportunity to learn about yourself and God.

In light of this, as you purpose to be intentional in your practice of your martial arts consider doing the same with your walk with God. Do you pray when your practicing your stances or stretches? It is the perfect time to talk with God or reflect on His greatness. Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and consider your ways”.

In order to strengthen your relationship with Christ you must also spend time with Him. Just as martial arts takes practice, your relationship with God also takes intentional time.

I encourage you to layout your goals for your practice of martial arts and purpose to be intentional with your time with our Savior as well.

Osu,
Lisa Bethay