Avoid Training Setbacks: The Importance of Safety in Your Martial Arts Journey

Martial arts and tai chi are great physical activities that have many advantages.

Don't let injuries and overtraining derail you from this incredible journey! With the average training schedule of 3 sessions per week, you could log a whopping 156 sessions in a year. But one injury requiring 8 weeks of recovery could cut that number down to just 132. Protect your progress by prioritizing quality over quantity in your training routine.

Here are some vital pointers to bear in mind:

1. Martial arts is not a game.

2. Training is not sterile; even the safest training might result in injury.

3. When necessary, put on safety equipment, including gloves, a testicle guard, a mouthguard, and shin guards. It makes sparring training strikes more accurate, sharp, timed, and strong.

4. Although injuries are a constant concern for martial artists and are certainly a possibility, this is not the intended outcome of training. Even the most responsible instructor could experience it.

How can you train more safely?

1. The instructor should know the trainee's age, general health history, present physical condition, and martial arts training experience (if any). A responsible trainer must put their safety first because most people who come to practice martial arts have yet to gain a basic comprehension of the abilities and risks involved.

2. Teaching thoroughly, patiently, and at a realistic pace for the person training. Above all else, one should put one's safety and well-being first. It's crucial to remember that a martial arts practitioner who exercises only twice a week should be expected to have different abilities than someone who practices daily. To prevent them from endangering themselves or their training partners, holding such a person back when they push themselves too hard is crucial.

3. Integrity of the gear, facilities and surroundings should be checked, keeping industry's regulations strictly.

4. Building advanced training levels: Beginner students should practice patience, develop foundational skills, and avoid moving on to more complex techniques before they are ready,

Sparring and partner training:

1. Diverse training levels: Beginner students should keep in mind (as well as their practicing partner and their trainer) that beginners tend to make moves that cause damage to them and their partners (moving in the wrong way/timing etc.). This is an additional risk for beginners. Advanced practitioners should remember that they are not fighters and should only train intensely with top-tier fighters with the correct supervision and frequency specified by the teacher.

2. Advanced sparring: Here, the mismatch between fact and imagination poses a threat. It's crucial to pay close attention to skill gaps or unwholesome energy discrepancies between the training partners.

3. Stop and evaluate the situation if a practitioner is struck and is in danger of injury or if their head is knocked back (from a hit they didn't notice). Decide whether to continue the sparring with less force and a focus on flow or to stop altogether.

4. If a martial artist is hurt, knocked down, or knocked out during sparring, the match should be stopped, and time to recover should be given. If they go unconscious, tend to them, and allow them to recover. Pain (to limbs or internal damage), mainly: memory loss, trouble with direction, or vomiting, should all be taken seriously as signs of a concussion. They should refrain from engaging in any impact activities for at least a month, even if they declare and insist that they are fine. After a doctor's inspection and a cautious return to training, they should not fight for another two months.

5. Keep in mind that someone who suffers a knockdown, even a severe one, could feel good the next day or a few days later and declare themselves ready to spar once more. The main risk of head injuries is that even if you feel good, there may still be damage. Before re-starting to spar again, you must wait at least a month and should see a doctor if you have any problems. Returning to intense sparring without such recovery time can cause more harm.

General but essential comments:

Listen to your body: If you are feeling tired or experiencing pain, it is essential to take a break and rest. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to injury, and it is better to take a break and return to training when you feel rested and recovered.

Learn a new form or technique slowly: Master the fundamentals before progressing to more complex techniques. By doing this, you can improve your condition and lower your chance of injury.

Maintain hydration: It's crucial to maintain hydration throughout physical exercise, but it's imperative when engaging in martial arts or tai chi. Bring a bottle of water to class, and sip after 20 minutes from the beginning of training and then frequently throughout your workout.

Find a qualified instructor: Working with a qualified instructor can help you learn proper techniques and stay safe while training. Look for an instructor with experience and credentials in their field, and feel free to ask about their teaching philosophy and approach to safety.

These tips help ensure that your martial arts training and/or students are safe and enjoy the practice.

Remember to always listen to your body and prioritize safety; you will be well on reaching goals and improving physical and mental well-being.