Often, I am asked “how much should I train at home”? “Should I train at home everyday or just the days I don’t attend class at the school”? “Should I train an hour or two”? “What should I train”?
My suggestion is this: make as many of the scheduled classes that you can, first and foremost. That’s your center and the key ingredient to improve your knowledge base step by step. Secondly, set up a consistent training schedule for home. I usually recommend training at home on the days you do not train at the school.
For example: if you train at the school Monday/Wednesday/Saturday, then you will set up self practice at home for Tues/Thursday/Friday. Sunday, take the day off and just live your life. Do anything you want – train or not – zoo or not etc. Sunday is YOUR day to be lazy, creative or a hermit!
Next, regarding your home training: plan to train about thirty minutes. Train slowly and relaxed. Do not try to get ahead of yourself or over exert. Strive for clarity of technique and to improve your technical structure. If you’re not sure of something, go ahead and train it and then remember to ask about it at class time. There is nothing you’re going to do incorrectly that we can’t fix at some point!
Remember, much of learning is about grooming. Once you have learned a technique or form, the next step is to groom and hone it for the years to come. Each thing you learn is something you will carry with you the rest of your life. Combined, they will build you a stronger more flexible body. They help you develop your analytical skills and expand your ability to memorize. And, like music, kung fu will open the doors to your mind’s greater potential.
Lastly, remain patient. Please, do not become impatient with yourself. You will learn at the rate you learn. There is nothing else to expect. Try not to compare yourself with other students. Everyone takes to martial arts at their own speed. Everyone has different bodies/minds and therefore learn at different paces. It’s all completely normal. Stay calm: stay patient.
Oh… and always feel free to ask questions. We’re always more than happy to assist you.
Thank you for this post. I’ve always wanted to ask GMM and you this question. I often feel guilty if I don’t manage to fit in “training” time at home, even the first section of Tai Chi. But as you say we train to master ourselves and we learn to be patient with ourselves. We need to find the time to train at home, after all we find the time to come online! 😉 One day of Zen is always beneficial to float the mind. However when I told you I float my mind every morning with meditations or empty mind, you said this was also training time. And it is. Kung Fu isn’t just about physical training. It’s also spiritual training. I love being a warrior monk. Thank you for the support and guidance. I will take this new advice and add it to my home training.
Hi “Bones”…
Thanks for such a great comment. Very well put.