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Zach Zinn
Zach Zinn's picture
what has been the biggest reward of long term training?

For me, it's definitely the people. Whether it's my own little class, learning from others, seminars, etc., the people I've met and gotten to know over the years are definitely what stand out for me.

What about you?

Tau
Tau's picture

The influence I've had on my students' lives.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Lots of good friends in all corners of the world.

Zach Zinn
Zach Zinn's picture

Along those lines:

One thing I really appreciate these days, I know all kinds of folks through martial arts. I have friendships with people who normally I  wouldn't know due to not sharing things like politics, religion, recreational tastes etc. All the things that typically draw us into friendships.

Martial arts training has forced me to get to know a much wider range of people than I would have without it. That is really valuable, and adds a dimension to life that wouldn't be there otherwise.

Of course it's always nice to associate with people who are like-minded in various ways, but there is also something really great about getting to directly see the value in people who are very different from you.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Zach Zinn wrote:
Martial arts training has forced me to get to know a much wider range of people than I would have without it. That is really valuable, and adds a dimension to life that wouldn't be there otherwise.

I’d totally agree with that. Martial arts are an activity that cuts right across society and it brings people together that may not interact otherwise. United by a shared love of punching each other :-)

All the best,

Iain

JWT
JWT's picture

Iain Abernethy wrote:

Lots of good friends in all corners of the world.

I'd second that. I also believe that I'd probably not be alive were it not for my training. John

Dash3
Dash3's picture

I'll go with the sense of calm in the rest of my life - if you're not swinging a weapon at me, it's prolly not the most stressful thing that'll happen to me this week. And if I can deal with that, I can deal with you're bringing...

Zach_MB
Zach_MB's picture

A sense of purpose. Karate started as an activity, but once I started teaching, I knew that was supposed to help spread the art. 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

This is a really good idea for a thread and the answers, so far, are very revealing. I notice that no one has written anything along the lines of, “The ability to bang folk out, because I get attacked every day!” :-) Even among a community of ardent pragmatists, we see that value of the “do-side” being expressed.

All the best,

Iain

Creidiki
Creidiki's picture

I'm well past 40 and locked in constant mortal combat with my waistline. Karate has give me an egde so far.

Jeremy_Rhynes
Jeremy_Rhynes's picture

I've long had a thirst to "know", but due to my ongoing battle with some personal issues I'd lost the yearning for learning.  Martial arts, and especially the desire to teach martial arts, helped reignite that passion to learn.  Not just martial arts (because let's face it, being a martial artists is only really about 50% martial arts at most), but language, anatomy, physics, psychology...well, really just learning anything I can.  In some ways, I can say I really reclaimed a sense of who I am and who I always was through martial arts, and found my sense of purpose. 

Yeah, I know, sappy, right? laugh

Les Bubka
Les Bubka's picture

Overcoming anxiety, and now helping others through Karate.

marlon
marlon's picture

Arriving at the point where I can teach and enjoy seeing a student "light up"! And being able to pass on my passion to at least one of my sons! Now that I think of it, living a passion is huge. I know so many people that have not even found their passion, let alone being able to day in and day out live it. This is an incredible gift of the arts and training!

karate10
karate10's picture

In my Karate trainning, I've receive awarness, be mindful of every aspect of techniques you do whether its in kata, bunkais, kihons, body movement, self protection details,e.t.c...But for me, I get to write and stay connected to you all that has the same passion like me and very fortunate to Meet Mr. Abernethy this past February in Texas. I hope I get to see you Iain in the near future and I'll continue to move forward with my karate trainning.

Gerald