Let’s be honest. I’m an old fart heading towards the middle age handicap. I will never be as good physically as when I was jumping out of planes for a living. I have a fused back and a burned leg. I’m overweight and (really) out of shape. However, if it weren’t for martial arts, he probably wouldn’t be walking right now. Conditioning is important not only for martial arts training but also for the quality of daily life.

In our society we, as the general population, are fat and soft. Many of us disdain physical activity unless it involves a six pack, a bag of chips, and a remote control. This is a sorry state of affairs to be in. Currently, my conditioning includes a light weight training routine three times a week, push-ups and sit-ups, jujutsu three times a week, and a holdover from my Special Forces days: Ruckin’. Going to Ruckin’ requires a backpack, which is a small backpack loaded with 35-40 pounds, and brisk walking. In the old days (OK, I’ve been out of the military for twenty years), the standard was being able to do twelve miles in under three hours. Right now I’m not sure I can walk twelve miles, let alone do it in less than three hours. But I’m working on it.

There is a saying that old age and treachery win out over youth and skill. This is true up to a point. I wish I knew back then what I know now. Experience is a valuable commodity. A fool won’t learn any other way, according to Ben Franklin anyway. Being able to translate that experience into action is a key factor, especially in martial arts.

The better your physical shape, the more abuse you can absorb without bending. Unless we have experienced the opportunity to push ourselves beyond our perceived physical limit, we have placed an artificial limit on our capabilities. Occasionally we must test our mettle just to see if we can hack it. I once had an instructor break his nose or dislocate a finger just to see if he could keep going despite his injuries. A bit extreme to say the least, but just imagine facing him in a life and death fight. Do you think he could move on after taking a punch to the face? Count on that. I even know a guy who severely broke his leg working in construction. He missed a class. He would come to class and balance on his crutches while he practiced kicking with his good leg. You really don’t want to get tangled up with someone with that kind of determination.

In the previous training we would hold horse stance for an hour and do 2,500 blocks and strikes or more. It’s hard to condition yourself for that kind of training on a physical level, but with the right never-give-up mindset, you can hold a horse stance for an hour or more. I think that is called “Shugyo” or “Gasshuku”, a special training. It makes a difference in your martial arts when you undergo that depth of training.

How many times do we get complacent in our training and start slacking off? How many times do we choose not to go to class because we are “tired” or “just don’t feel right”? Once someone asked a teacher how to become a teacher. His response was, “Practice, practice, practice. Every day you get up and practice.” It is this complacent attitude that will get us killed in a life and death struggle. Having your life flash before your eyes in the middle of a fight is not the time to rededicate yourself to training.

I find myself becoming complacent at times. Sometimes I just don’t feel like doing a hundred push-ups or beating the makiwara. Sometimes I need a distraction, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do some kind of training. Martial arts cover a wide spectrum of subjects that can be performed and will provide a break from the daily routine of training. One of the things I do to distract myself is practice pulling out my “utility” knife while watching TV, no soda or chips. Since a knife is part of my martial system, it’s a valid thing. Is it important to be able to deploy my knife from a sitting position? Better believe it. Another diversion is going to the desert and murdering a variety of cans with my 9mm. Since firearms are part of my martial system, it’s also valid martial arts training and I can go on a picnic at the same time. So what if you don’t have desert handy and you don’t like knives and guns? There are other things you can do to support your training and still get distracted. How about a bike ride? Can that be considered martial arts training? Sure, as long as you don’t use training wheels. How about going to the mall and people watching? Learning to read a variety of body types and personalities is a good skill for a martial artist. Going out for a drive and practicing sensing the intent of the drivers around you can be considered martial training (especially in Utah, where nearly everyone has a chronic case of broken turn signal/finger syndrome). It’s also a life-saving ability to be able to read when that idiot $#@*&^ in front of you is going to cut you off.

Martial arts can be classified into three basic areas: physical, mental, and spiritual. The physical aspect is the easiest to do, really. It’s just a matter of going out and doing it, but you understand only about 3-5% of martial arts. The mental part is a bit more difficult to dissect. Studying, reading, thinking, practicing and analyzing is an important part of the mental aspects. Learning to visualize and focus your intention and energy is another aspect of the mental part of martial arts. Energy follows thought. The spiritual aspect is probably the most difficult and has nothing to do with religion. Well, for some it might, but it’s more to do with that thing that animates your body. Regardless, it all starts with the physical aspect and that is directly related to physical conditioning, proper nutrition, stretching and best of all, rest as part of your training routine. Moderation in all things, including moderation.