Perseverence

What does it mean to persevere?

Today was the start of evaluations week for this cycle at PMA. Phase 2 was being tested on their performance of TBA 15-count thai pad drills, Panantukan Destruction Series #6, and JKD Loy Pak trapping series.

My Muay Thai kickboxing skills, which has degraded precipitously since I stopped training in the MT classes (my skills weren't all that fantastic to begin with), were very poor today, and cost me any chance of passing the evaluation for promotion.

"You're not pivoting on your shin kicks". "Your punches are nearly indistinguishable from one another". "You need to get up off your heels and rotate your hips into your knee strikes". "You're overcocking your right leg, and you're leaving your hands down". These were the words spoken to me by my instructor. Harsh, direct, and to the point.

... and much needed.

What does it mean to persevere?

It was a hard pill to swallow. I thought I was trying hard, I was trying to hit the thai pads as hard as I can. Yet, aggression without control or technique is little more than a wild animal thrashing about. Martial arts is the creation and the realm of humanity, and must be elevated above mere primal instinct.

Form and technique, within each other. It is what I have to recapture. I had lost it today, and wasn't even aware of my own failings in this regard. Just going through the motions overconfidently doesn't cut it. It shouldn't, because if it did, the value of what we're trying to do at the academy in elevating our level will be lost in a worthless avalanche of underqualified promotions and pointless backpatting.

What does it mean to persevere?

I enjoy weapons work the most of all my training at PMA. Yet, the core of the school curriculum is still the empty-handed fighting skills. After all, what to do when you're disarmed for one reason or another? I cannot neglect it for these very reasons.

So, this week, I will work slowly the TBA 15 count drill, shadowboxing it, working it in front of a mirror. Within it is a lot of key concepts of generating power Muay Thai style that I must try to clean up. I will take the words spoken to me and let them echo in my mind as I work to fire every neuron, every muscle fiber, slowly, putting it all in the proper structure and timing as best I can.

Regardless of whether the promotion happens or not, I will have learned a powerful lesson today. If the lesson is applied, it will be what counts most, regardless of some stripe or some new color belt.

What does it mean to persevere?

It means that when you are knocked down, you keep getting up, and try to be better each time. Sometimes, it's hard to be best, even as we strive towards perfection. The last man standing is the best by default. So keep getting up.