Practice, Practice, Practice!
From Merriem-Webster:
Practice (v.):
- to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually
- to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient
Practice (n.):
- systematic exercise for proficiency
- the condition of being proficient through systematic exercise
Practitioner (n.): one who practices
————————————————————————
When a martial artist describes what they do, typical phrases you’ll hear are “I practice the martial arts,” or “I study the martial arts.” The phrasing connotes the long-term, hard work practitioners commit to improving their skills, developing their mindset, learning the history, and maintaining their fitness to bring about holistic growth.
Coming to class is one essential part of our practice: it’s the place where we can ask questions and receive guidance, learn new things, and participate in collective and partnered learning. Balancing in-class learning with a regular schedule of practice outside of class is a second essential part of our practice, helping you build muscle memory and recall through extensive repetition.
As we advance in rank, we are increasingly challenged to recall and execute a wide range of complex moves quickly and with precision. By the time you reach Brown Belt, the amount of material you’ve learned is challenging to fit into a single practice session. You might practice techniques and kempos one day and forms another, or some variation of that. As a Black Belt, you might focus a practice session on only one or two things in order to advance a particular concept or technique.
How has your practice routine enhanced your martial arts? If you’re just getting started with a practice routine, what do you hope to get out of it? Try it out and see what benefits it brings!
.svg)
.svg)
.png){kind=small}