How to get back into shape in order to return to martial arts?

**TheWanderingTaoist** · Posted On: 9/08/2009 4:48pm

Any advice on how to be careful in a MA class when oftentimes the instructors are so forceful about you must do this? And if you don't try hard enough they have you do pushups. Also there's an issue with sparring where I need to wear headgear for any heavy duty sparring to protect what little is left of my brain cells seeing as I'm actually on permanent disability for brain injury. My previous instructor would not allow us to wear protective equipment because he said it took too much time out of class to put it on.

I really consider myself come a long ways because just a few months ago I was close to being in a wheelchair and could not walk up steps and now I can walk and do steps. Haven't fallen in a long time either, knock on wood, so maybe the neurological rehab specialists did help even though they were students. But I think my physical training at home is helping a lot too.

**elbines** · Posted On: 9/08/2009 5:09pm

Originally Posted by snowman

Get back into martial arts shape by doing martial arts.

Work with in your limits and you'll be good to go

This. this the advice I was given when I first came on these boards asking a similar question. This advice works.

**bekkilyn** · Posted On: 9/08/2009 9:48pm

What about Tai Chi? It is a form of martial art, but also has rehabilitative functions.

**Kintanon** · Posted On: 9/08/2009 11:09pm

Make the nature of your injuries clear to the instructor from the outset and make it clear that you will refuse to do anything which you feel would further aggravate your injuries. You approaching them as a service provider, not as some kind of pseudo-drill instructor. Let them know that you understand you will not be getting the full benefit of the training at first and that you are comfortable with that. The object is to get back in there and get started doing what you enjoy in a way that minimizes the chance of you becoming re-injured. If the instructor can't wrap his head around that idea then you move on and find a different instructor. Above all don't sign any contracts unless and until you are THOROUGHLY comfortable with the classes and the instructor. Preferably after having watched several classes and participated in a few. If at all possible avoid contracts entirely.
If you must sign a contract write in a clause which allows you to stop training and nullify the contract if you become re-injured while training. If you write it in on the contract and you both initial it then it becomes a valid part of the contract, just make sure YOU keep a copy with the change on it.
Any reasonable instructor should be comfortable with this.

**elbines** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 1:29am

Originally Posted by Wohali

Any advice on how to be careful in a MA class when oftentimes the instructors are so forceful about you must do this? And if you don't try hard enough they have you do pushups. Also there's an issue with sparring where I need to wear headgear for any heavy duty sparring to protect what little is left of my brain cells seeing as I'm actually on permanent disability for brain injury. My previous instructor would not allow us to wear protective equipment because he said it took too much time out of class to put it on.

I really consider myself come a long ways because just a few months ago I was close to being in a wheelchair and could not walk up steps and now I can walk and do steps. Haven't fallen in a long time either, knock on wood, so maybe the neurological rehab specialists did help even though they were students. But I think my physical training at home is helping a lot too.

My mistake mate, didn't read the part about the head trauma. Kintanon has the correct. It may not mean much from some random internet dude but congratulations on your progress thus far. Hope you are successful in your future endeavors.

**beardedtaco** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 3:27am

If you have an injury nobody should be forcing you to do stuff that can make your injury worse. Just take it easy and let your instructors ( and training partners ) know about your injury.

**mPacT** · Posted On: 9/13/2009 6:34am

If your on disability, could you get in trouble if you get caught doing martial arts? Hopefully not. If your instructor fails to recognize existing injuries and then punishes you, it's time to get a new instructor.

**TheWanderingTaoist** · Posted On: 9/14/2009 3:03am

Originally Posted by mPacT

If your on disability, could you get in trouble if you get caught doing martial arts? Hopefully not. If your instructor fails to recognize existing injuries and then punishes you, it's time to get a new instructor.

My disability is based on head injury ie: memory problems and visual-spatial learning problem and also an autoimmune illness that gets worse from stress. So I think I am ok to do physical activity and in fact two of my doctors have okayed my returning to martial arts including one doctor who put in my records she was ordering me to return to taekwondo that it might help the head injury by rewiring the neurons. A third doctor ordered me to exercise but said swimming. I hate swimming though so why not do something else! (not to mention the local swimming pool is disgusting and I got a nasty skin infection TWICE from the place) :icon_sad: