A few things first: yes, my gi is wrinkled. I wasn’t going to iron it for 5 minutes of training at home. The only reason I put it on is because it helps me “see” and “feel” my techniques better than normal clothes. Second, yes, my technique is trash. Feel free to if you wish, but I’m not really posting this to critique, but we’ll get into why my technique is trash.
I trained in Shito Ryu and have been out for a long, long time. There was too pressure to compete and win, and I got burned out. Now, I wish I had stayed in and pushed through, or that I immediately went to find a new dojo.
After quitting, I still trained on a heavy bag, but focused primarily on weight training. After a few years, I started looking into judo, but wasn’t able to train due to a bone tumor in my foot that needed to be removed. Once that was removed life got in the way, I had money trouble, and training wasn’t an option. Yadayadayada. Then, unfortunately, I became almost totally disabled within a few weeks.
At that point in time, I was very healthy and active, working out heavily 5x a week. An autoimmune disease kicked in hard and heavy that caused my joints to essentially start tearing, inflaming, etc., which in turn led to all of my muscles and soft tissues contracting. At the worst, I couldn’t walk. I’ve done physical therapy time after time, and each time it worked less and less.
As time went on, I was less “gung ho” about my physical therapy, because there was never really a clear goal in mind. Yes, I wanted to get better, but what does that mean? 25% of my formal self? 80%? It started to seem all pointless.
Which got me thinking about karate. I desperately want to train again, but as of now, I am unable to get into even a shallow stance without pulling my Achilles tendons. And my shoes? I have to wear them any time I stand up.
One of the most time consuming parts of PT was stretching. However, my body is so contracted that I need to stretch literally every single tiny muscle, which is unrealistic. Each slight twist/bend of the arm introduces a new stretch. This is where karate shines. Yes, tai chi is recommended a lot, but it’s not something I care to train in for personal reasons.
The blocks/ strikes in karate can be trained as static holds that you can “progress.” For example, I initially couldn’t do a high block because it pulled my triceps, so that gave me something to progress to. I couldn’t do middle blocks because of my wrists, so it gave me something to progress to. I can’t make a fist, so it gives me something to progress to.
Basically, the techniques give a “goal” that normal PT sometimes lacks, they offer variety that is difficult in traditional stretches, they are more fun and engaging, and they can be held as a static stretch or moved through dynamically.
But, the blocks you see me moving through took a long time to progress to. I cannot perform them with snap, and many parts of my body, such as my fingers, go in awkward positions. I sometimes have to adjust the technique when I kick in a muscle that is contracted, which causes technically poor technique.
As of now, addressing my legs is the #1 goal. I cannot walk without shoes because my foot muscles are so weak and my Achilles tendons are contracted. So, stances, even shallow ones, aren’t viable at the moment. It might take years, but it gives a clear goal.
Long term, I hope to be able to train again one day. That may be a long shot, as many people (understandably) won’t have the time or patience to deal with my limitations. But, it gives me a clear goal that general PT doesn’t.
Lastly, just a word of advice based on my experience. Be careful when it feels like it’s time to quit karate. Taking a month or year off can easily turn to decades, and you never know what life will throw at you. Sometimes, you legitimately need a break, but all I’m saying is to really, really take the time and think about it. If you can’t in good conscience give it up permanently, be careful.
