Training in the Elements by Jon Haas

 http://warriorfitness.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/032.jpg

Here is a great article written by a friend of mine, Jon Haas regarding training outdoors. Enjoy!

________________________________________


If you are a martial artist, it is essential to train your art outside in the elements.  Since most traditional arts were born outside, and not in a gym or dojo setting, it is important to every once in a while get back to the roots of your art.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know most wars have been fought outside in the elements, through all different types of weather conditions, and on changing terrain.  I think we have all become way too spoiled and comfortable by training in a sheltered and heated (or air conditioned) dojo, on a flat, mat covered surface all the time.  Get out of your comfort zone!  Start to get comfortable being uncomfortable!  Get a little wet and dirty.  Have some fun!

How Do You Know?

How do you know your footwork is correct if you’ve never tried it on ice?

How do you know how well your mental fortitude will hold up in a fight if you can’t even fight the cold and damp?

How well do you do when encumbered by layers of winter clothing and your freedom of movement is restricted?

How effective are your strikes when your opponent is similarly garbed?

How well can you move when there is gravel, mud, ice, or uneven terrain?

How does your movement need to change, or does it?

How does your body respond to the extreme cold or heat?

Can you handle the added stress when confronted by an opponent?


020

Training on ice, as we have been finding out this winter, reveals many small flaws in your kamae, structure, and balance.  Footwork cannot be sloppy or exaggerated; it must be precise!  It quickly becomes evident who is carrying themselves from their center and who is moving like Frankenstein!!

032

In addition to all the above points about training outside in all weather conditions there is one other quality developed that provides tremendous additional value.  That ineffable quality is the mental toughness developed through training in extreme conditions.  Mental toughness is defined as your resistance to failure.  This quality alone can carry you through the most difficult of situations, in or out of the dojo.



042 

By Jon Haas ~ www.warriorfitness.org
    

Jon Haas is a certified Underground Strength Coach and has been involved in the martial arts for over 30 years. He has been training in the Budō Taijutsu arts of the Bujinkan for more than 22 years and is currently ranked as a Kudan (9th degree black belt) under Jack Hoban Shidōshi.

Jon is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for VX Global and is a certified VX Sport Coach. He is the owner and founder of Warrior Fitness Training Systems and author of the book, Warrior Fitness: Conditioning for Martial Arts.

Comments

  1. Laura BushFebruary 15, 2021 at 6:42 AM

    Wow, What an Excellent post. I really found this to much informative. It is what I was searching for. I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info. Krav Maga Clothing USA

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shaan Saar Krav MagaMay 27, 2021 at 6:30 AM

    I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. Krav Maga Classes near Me

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shaan Saar Krav MagaMay 27, 2021 at 6:30 AM

    I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. Krav Maga Classes near Me

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An Uncomfortable Situation

Image
  Funny pic (and movie) about a not so funny situation… In training as in Life, it’s better to treat people with dignity and respect. However… What does that look like in the moment? Being that I’m teaching a Women’s Assault Prevention and Response Workshop this weekend - it’s probably a good time to talk about… Uncomfortable Situations Let’s talk about training at the academy for a minute… We run open co-ed classes at the local academy. What does that mean? Men and women train together, but we don’t stop there. People of different skill levels, backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, careers, religious beliefs, political affiliations, ages, injuries, pre-existing conditions, life experience, training expectations etc. etc. train together! We ALL work together! Overall, I think it’s better this way. Of course sometimes there’s static, you know, conflicts, and misunderstanding. When something happens, most of the time it’s just that, a misunderstanding… Sometimes people ...
Read more

What'd You Say?!

Image
  You ever have a conversation with someone who really lifted your spirits? How about having a conversation with someone who’s a real downer?! We spend a lot of time talking to people. Matter of fact, talking is one of the most under rated and under trained aspects of protecting yourself. It’s much better if you can talk your way out of a bad situation, rather than having to resort to some form of physicality. This is why we spend so much time on sharing effective communication frameworks in the PeaceWalker course. But All of that Aside… When we think about communicating, we often just think about talking to other people. We forget how we talk to ourselves! You may have heard it called, “Self talk.” All day long we talk to ourselves. We carry on an inner dialogue in our heads that only we can hear. Unfortunately, this means it's very easy to be hard on ourselves. There's something about privacy which makes it easy to say the things you would never say out loud to another living...
Read more

Cracks in Your Foundation?!

Image
  Last night we had one of our weekly coaching calls for the PeaceWalker Evolution Course. What a great call! Rob and Jenn, a couple of the Level II - Momentum folks (people who graduated from Evolution last year and came back for the second Level.), were tasked to run the meeting as part of their training. I must say, they did a stand up job! The topic of discussion was building an Unshakable Foundation. WTH is that!? It’s basically the way you live. Your habits. What you do in your day to day life. How do you train your… Body  - Your physical health Mind  - What you’re filling your head with Mouth  - How you’re communicating Heart  - How you foster your relationships Why?! Without a solid foundation it’s difficult to remain balanced. When you are not balanced, it more difficult to stay calm, cool, and collected, (especially) under pressure. As I often say,  “You can’t hide crazy.” (It eventually comes out!) Regardless… You don’t have to be in the PeaceWal...
Read more