Go and get it

We all want be successful and achieve something in our lives.

There is nothing wrong about it. We should all aim for better living.

We should all aim high and constantly look for the way to improve.

We do deserve the best, every one of  us.

But it is not going to be given to us.

We have to "go and get it".

If I wanted to become a doctor, I would most likely try to get myself on the course at medical university, would study the subject and try to graduate the best I can. Once completed the Uni I would look for the practise, understanding that only persistence in my work and education can make me qualified doctor.

If I wanted to become a carpenter, I would look for carpentry courses, buy myself a set of tools and look for the practise on the building sites. Knowing that it takes time, hard work and constant learning to become qualified carpenter.

If I wanted to become a professional boxer, I would start by signing up with amateur boxing club, buy myself boxing gloves and some running shoes. Would take any opportunity to improve my boxing skills, would work on my sparring, endurance, diet and everything it takes to become qualified boxer.

And so on... .

Simple method in whoever you choose you wanna become.

Just "go and get it"!

You wanna loose few kilos simply: change your diet and exercise.

You want to improve your flexibility: stretch daily.

You want to improve your stamina: increase your cardio workout.

You want to become a great fighter: train and compete.

Whatever you wanna achieve, whoever you wanna become: just "go and get it".

There is no short cuts.

You cannot open the door without unlocking it first.

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Planting a seed is just great beginning.

Everyone who understands bit of farming knows that; planting a seed in a nutritious turf at the right location and right time is only a great beginning.
To grow a plant to its maximum ability of a certain kind we need much more than that. We need a lot of patients, while giving constant care and helping mother nature to shape it up the mother nature to shape it up the best possible way. Each plant individually got different needs according to its nature, changing seasons,  weather and many upcoming obstacles. Sometimes it is a long journey without visible effects till the very end.

Let's take an example of that lovely apple tree in your beautiful garden. 

Extreme winds,heavy rain,cold or heat,insects,overgrowing; all that and probably much more could harm the process of growing your dream apple tree.

Of course we could say that mother nature is going to take care of everything and we shouldn't get involved. But I strongly believe that we have been brought to this world gifted with such powerful tools: human brains  to help her in amazing project. To work as great comunity along with all the nature which we are part of. 

On another side; we shouldn't forget that it was us who planted that tree, in our own garden, it was our own choice. And we need to make sure that it has everything that requires to grow strong and healthy. At this same time we can't forget about other plants in our garden. They are also our creation. We have this same obligations torwards them and we need to make sure that they are not being disturbed by our tree.

Martial arts training for kids is just like that apple tree.

We got to constantly support,protect and shape them up. Sometimes we need to trim they branches to make sure they wouldn't take the sun away from other plants.

We got to be patient and understand that first apples might not be the tastiest and there is a chance that we will find some insects in it. Cold or dry weather could be reason of slowing down the process too. 

So it is our job to observe how the tree is growing and help it along to get its best.

Sooner or later, but surely we are going to get rewarded with beautiful,tasty and full of nutrition apples.

www.GMMA.co.uk

Does attending the classes make you an expert?

Few years back, when someone i know very well has completed accounting course on one of Great London universities. We had a small celebration party over that event. Together with some other happy graduate who also completed with fantastic scores on the diploma.

most of them have spent one out of four years studies at the placement in different companies learning practical side of the craft.   

Summarizing and speculating what are they going to do next.They all have been saying that course itself has given them some fundamental knowledge about the subject, professional language, procedures and short cuts that can be used in the profession.

They have been pretty confident that they took most out of it.

But at this same time: as it usually happens at the beginning of new chapter; there was a doubt and questions coming through the conversation.    
As they all have agreed that there is still a lot to learn for them, to become professional accountants.

Diploma in their hands has been opening the door to begin actual practical studying.

It will take them while before they will be able to say that they are professional accountants. 

I remember passing my driving exam.
First time driving on my own,without instructor on the passenger sit, I didn't feel like Luis Hamilton at all!
Took me a bit of time before I started feeling comfortable driving around.

I remember young bricklayers I met when I was working on the building sites.
Just after finishing two years course at the college, being sent on site by the agency. Didn't really have a clue how to; (not even build the wall) rise up the level of manhole cover with the bricks. 

All these examples as many others have a great potential to become professionals at the subjects they have chosen.
However they all need the practise.
Knowing the theory and basics of the subject, can help to speed up practical learning. It gives fundamental knowledge which helps to understand the subject.

But our further success in the chosen art, depends on our ambitions, volume of practise, will of development and achieving the success.

Martial arts  are no different to other professions.

You can attend the classes, complete your exams and go through different levels.

You can wear black belt or get some titles which you can proudly hang on the wall.

But as in all of the professions,to understand better and  to be fluent with it, you need to practise, you need to put yourself in test.

Never rely on talent or abilities, there is always room for improvement.

Always aim to become better.

WWW.GMMA.CO.UK

Fighting is like a tennis

Sitting in the café,waiting for my Coach to come for a meeting.
Watching tennis match between two probably the greatest female players of these days at Wimbledon tournament 2015. Match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Both powerful and skilled ladies, both very experienced and focused.
Not giving each other much space, covering whole court with ease.
Looking for each other mistakes playing the ball at every possible angle, speed and distance.
When it comes to manual skills and physical abilities as a tennis players there isn't much they can both improve.
It is more of a mind game.
Bit of a poker or a  chess game, if you like.
Tricking each other and staying focused till the very last ball as anything can happen to the last minute.
Everything depends on how you manage your emotions, how you read the game and your opponent.  How quick you give the correct answer to a very tricky question?
Both players trying to distract and throw out of balance the  opponent.
After playing close ball to the left, throwing fast - long one to the right, then another long to the left again.
Just like in fighting.
Throwing left low kick,to throw opponent off balance, following with straight right hand to the head and continue with the left hook to see what happens next. All of the shots thrown with speed and power appropriate for the occasion. 

It is all about using different variations, adjusting to the situation  ( strengths and weaknesses of your opponent ) and making use of all of the weapon which you store at your arsenal. To not become obvious and predictable. 

I suppose the principals of tennis training as well as in combat sports, is got to be countless repetition of every possible offense and defense.
Making it the second nature,teaching the mind and body to react instantly.

If you train some kind of fighting sports, next time you practice; think of tennis game.

Play smart, hold your nerves and fight right to the end.

www.GMMA.co.uk 

Be positive.

Every day we are having a gift of getting another chance, we can start again or simply continue achieving our goals.
It is our choice what we are going to do with that great gift.
It is our choice how we are going to feel about it, about ourselves and our situation. 
We all get absorbed by everydays life and its difficulties. We all get tired physically and mentally.
Is there any recipe of how to get through those times?
Well I think there is.
I think that first of all we should all understand that life is full of ups and downs.  We should be grateful of what we have, stay focused and positive.
Surround ourselves with positive people who are going to lift us up instead of pulling down.
Great vision of the future created by positive thinking and having good plan can give us so much more power to go through the obstacles.
Just like in the ring: the winner becomes the one who wants it more.
It is a simple math; two trained and skilled fighters facing each other at this same weight category, got equal chances to win, very often it depends on mental strength and never give up attitude.
When we believe in the end result and not being afraid of failure, we are going to get what we want easier and possibly quicker.
As I have mentioned in one of my previous post "Unnecessary stress" , about the power of emotions.
Emotions can give you super strenght or paralyse you. And there is no doubt about it.
You choose which way you wanna go.
You choose to spend your day with complaints and excuses or stay positive, enjoy what you got and use all that to eget better.
Passion, love, sharing with others will give more sense to your everyday life and will help you to go through the hardship.
Just remember your goals.
Do what you believe in.
Be positive, be happy.
www.GMMA.co.uk

Straight line (the quickest way)

There is so many different martial arts around the world these days.
All created for different reasons and in different environments.
Most of them have been invented as a development of some other styles, more traditional, like kung fu,karate,judo. With believe of improving their usefulness.
Don't matter what style you are working on, when it comes to striking  ( kicking, punching, knees or elbows ). Sooner or later you will find out that the most accurate, fastest and safest way of executing the strikes comes in the straight line. Within your body line.
Most of the time when teaching others basic techniques like hook punches,turning kicks, knees and elbows.
People tent to swing they limbs and tense their muscle believing that is where the power comes from.
The magic hides behind the right technique of going in and out. It is all about right footwork,  positioning, twist, extension with the hits and coming back same way it came out.
Even those fancy techniques as spinning hook kick,spinning back hand and strikes requiring spinning and turning.
Even those executed correctly should be going out within the body line right after the spin.
To achieve that I have found very useful of practicing right next to the wall.
Standing in the fighting stands with leading leg close to the wall and mastering those jabbing hand punches,all variations including the hooks.
Working on those front leg kicks as well as back leg spinning techniques.
All that without touching the wall.
I remember while ago when Sir (my coach) has explained to me how to make it work.
He said that I should imagine that "I am in body width corridor facing skilled opponent, I have to fight him with all I've got".
It is always good to be able throw shots from different angles but I believe we should all learn the right way of basics first.
Have a great practice everyone.
Take care
www.GMMA.co.uk

Bad habits

While ago during winter holiday, me and my wife had some beautiful time in Polish mountain skiing and snowboarding.
As Renata ( my wife's name ) already knew very well how to skiing, she has enjoyed herself on two boards all day long.
Myself as I haven't had experience with both sports whatsoever.  I have chosen to learn snowboarding.  It looked cool and more interesting to me.
I would hire all essential gear from the shop downstairs of our hotel, check few tutorials online and go to nearest easy slope to practice art of snowboarding.
I was always confident with my learning skills and physical abilities.
So I was pretty sure that it want take me long to learn how to slide on one board.
I didn't wanna pay for lessons as I thought that I can figure out everything myself,  learning on my own mistakes.
I would watch some guys taking tuitions near by on this same slope, I would pick few techniques and practice it for all day long, going up and down restlessly.
At the end of the day I was quite proud of myself and pretty sure that I am moving in the right direction I would decide to join Renata on much higher and aggressive slope.
The cable lift we were going to use had long stick ( to place between the legs) with little rubber wheel at the end (to rest on )while being pulled up.
It took me three attempts to manage how to use it correctly.
I remember all the little kids watching me falling down while holding the stick and being dragged up with the board on my feet.
At the third time one of those kids has given me some tips which has made it all much easier but still had to use my muscles at the end to hold myself as the technique wasn't 100% correct.
Renata was waiting for me up on the top with big question mark written on her face. As a proud young man I wouldn't want to discuss why it took so long for me to come up. I would just encourage her to slide down and not waste the time.
So she went down. ( very smooth )
My beginnings started pretty smooth too.
Till I realised that there is big drop right in front of me and I wasn't able to avoid it.
All I have done was: faced down to the ground and supporting myself with hands and knees start breaking with the edge of the board. I would slow down, fall down the drop and flip over after hitting some bumps on the snow.
Then I would go back to my training slope and carry on drilling some basics.
This same day, evening we would go to drink some hot tea and have some hot local food in one off traditional polish mountain pubs.
As the place was very busy we have joined some big,long, wooden table where we seen few familiar faces.
Few young people leaving at this same hotel as us.
We would make friends pretty quick and share our experience from few days stay in the area.
Those people were experience skiing and snowboarding users.
And they made me think when they agreed that learning on my own could be risky as I could pick some bad habits and in the moment of danger it could cost me an injury or even more.
As when there is no time to think your brain and body reacts automatically the way it has been taught. Just like in the fighting and martial arts.
They pointed that couple hours of snowboarding lesson could save my time by giving me the basics to work on.
It all made sense to me and first think I did when woke up next day was to rush to the instructors office and book lesson for nearest available gap they had.
Instructor would adjust and explain my mistakes, would give me many tips how to improve step by step.
And finally would teach me how to use cable lift correctly.
It had made me improve quicker and made me enjoy it much more.
That experience has given me some very important lesson which has been saved in my memory very well.
Anything I practice since I do remember that the way I do it in the training is how I am going to react when performing.
Especially when fighting there is no time to think you need to each your brain and body how to react by practicing correct way.
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