Pay to be Uncomfortable
Who does that? Answer: many. Discomfort, I mean, removing our minds and bodies from their comfort zones so as to be able to handle the inevitable adversaries when they occur. People are starting to realise this more and more and that is why they are spending so much money to removes themselves from the norms to get that mental and physical stimulation this ‘discomfort’ provides. You only have to look at how many people pay top dollar for Bootcamp and Crossfit just to experience extreme discomfort. Those who want to stay well away from this are quite welcomed and they don’t have to do anything but the statistics are heavily leaning the other way, more so, with Generations Y & Z.
Over the many years martial arts training has been providing that stimulation. Sometimes it is difficult for people to distinguish between discomfort and injury giving them the wrong idea. It is an education process for everybody and it may take some time to understand the benefits of it all. As technology advances life gets more ‘comfortable’ (although busier) and we spend more of our time in a chair or car, and use the lift instead of the stairs. This is not the best thing for the body. We have to regularly jolt it to provide the stimulation for a chemical balance within the body.
In Karate we experience discomfort during sparring but this pain is only relative to what you are used to. It is much the same in Brazlian Jiu Jitsu – being crushed or choked. Some people misconstrue discomfort for inury and they might 'freak out' and that is why they need to acclimatise themselves with this discomfort.
I remember the whole subject of martial arts, in much earlier years, was about how effective they would be in the street but conversations have changed, over the years, to discussion about the phsyical and mental challenging aspects. I was saying the other day that I don't feel like I've had a good session if I don't have a good wrestle (BJJ). I want to go home with that feeling of experiencing that discomfort and challenge just like boxers and the likes with sparring.
I guess then it must be true what they say – NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
GA