Distance of dojo too far to practice...

This post is specially for all the people, who want to Learn Martial Arts (Karate / Aikido / Shaolin / Tai Chi Chuan, etc.) but think that the dojos/dojangs/wushu guans (training centre / classes / clubs / branches) are too far from their residence / office....

Today people have become too demanding, or should I say less passionate about things, they say they are passionate about. For example: People who want to learn Martial Arts, want the Dojos to be right in front of their doorstep...

When I started learning Karate-do... There were many so called 'Karate Schools' close to my house, but they were mostly frauds... The only place where they really taught something good was in the city... So I had to travel 46 km from the village to the city and back to my home in the village, in heavily packed public buses enduring the 1.5hrs (one way) tiring journey, standing all the way.... On my way back I used to reach home sometimes at 10 or 11 in the night, after having to cross a farmland area infested with snakes, scorpions, spiders etc.

I must be honest it was not easy, but it was not enough to deter my love for Karate-do and I continued my training without missing classes, till I shifted to a new place.

Even here in Delhi I have traveled for more than a year all the way from the West to South in crowded Buses (In fact there are no direct buses, so had to even use multiple buses) in all the extremes of weather (Heat, Cold, Humidity and Rain) that is specialty of where I live. My current residence is 7 Kms from the main dojo. But I am still not discouraged in anyway and have been practicing since 1997

Well what I have had to do to learn Karate is nothing compared to what my Sensei had... He used to Jog 13 km to his Dojo, then practice for 3 to 4 hrs and then return back home in a bus, after all that bone breaking hardcore training he has proudly gone through...

So in short, If you are passionate about something in your life, then there is nothing much that can stand in your way from achieving it... Think about it....

Dress Code for Beginners Learning Martial Arts...

DISCLAIMER: DIFFERENT MARTIAL SCHOOLS AND THIER TEACHERS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT DRESS CODES BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SYSTEM THEY PRACTICE. THEIR CULTURE AND DEFINITION OF HUMILITY AND MODESTY, SO FEEL FREE TO IGNORE WHAT YOU CAN'T CONNECT WITH.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THOSE PRACTICING: 

Muay Thai, MMA, Capoeira, Combat and Self Defense etc.

Famous beginner question... "As a beginner who Does Not have a Martial Arts Uniform, what should I wear for Tai Chi Chuan, Karate / Aikido / Kung Fu / Tae Kwon Do / Judo) Class?"

In many Modern Dojos there are no real restrictions and one can wear anything, 

But there are some Dojos like Ours, where we believe a Dojo/Wushuguan/Dojang/Kwoon/(any other martial art training place) is a # "Place of Enlightenment" and thus it is, as pure and sacred as a place of worship(MUST READ). It is not a gym or a place for Fashion or the likes of it... So dress appropriately and modestly like you would, when you visit a sacred place...

Some Do's and Don't's...

1. Wear Reasonably loose fitting clothes like a Track Suit or a combination of Full Sleeve T-Shirt and a Baggy Track Pant /Pajama.
2. Clothes should be made preferably of cotton so as to aid absorption of sweat and proper circulation of air.
3. Martial Art training involves a lot of Partner Training because of which a lot of Fungal/Bacterial/Viral Skin Infections/Diseases could spread through grime, sweat etc. upon skin contact thus, Full Sleeve Tops and Full Length Lowers are a must, preferably with elastics at the openings. 
4. Since practicing Martial Arts involves postures that could compromise on your privacy and modesty (Especially if you are a in a Mixed Batch) and Since a Martial Arts Dojo is not a place to Show Off your Fashion Sense, Body or Wealth Nor is it a Place for Attention Seeking/Attracting/Flirting/Dating/Seducing etc. So...
   (This is Applicable for both Men and Women...)
1. 'No' Unwanted skin show.
1. 'No' Sleeveless - Vests, Spaghetti, Tank/tube tops etc 
2. 'No' Short Tops
3. 'No' Shorts, Bermudas
4. 'No' Nets/Transparent Clothes 
2. 'No' Flaunting of Muscles or Curves.
1. 'No' Skin Tights or Figure Hugging Clothes (Tight T-Shirts/Tops, Slacks, Leggings, Jeggings, Yoga Pants etc)
2. 'No' Shiny/satin clothes
3. 'No' Cleavages, Butt Cracks, Camel Toes, Camel Butt etc.
1. 'No' Deep Necks,
2. 'No' Low Waist - Saggy Pants / Pajamas
4. "No' Attention Seeking
1. No no Bright Flashy colors.
5. Make sure your pants/pajamas stay pulled up so as to prevent any tear/damage to it, when you perform Deep Stances, Stretches or even Kicks.
6. Don't wear Jewellery, Finger Rings, Khada / Bangles, Long Ear Rings, Piercings etc. cause they may get pulled or hit on during training sessions which could cause immense pain and unwanted injury to both yourself and your partner (When Training with Partner).
7. Don't wear watches during practice (many beginners have been seeing doing this).
8. Keep your nails well trimmed to prevent any injury to yourself and your partner (When Training with Partner).
9. If you have long hair, its good to keep it well tied/pleated, to prevent hair pull or hair from obstructing your vision.
10. In case you have to practice
• Without Footwear (Indoors On a Mat) as in Aikido & Karate Dojo:
• Keep your feet clean, wash and dry them if necessary
• Use foot powder in shoes worn on the way to the dojo, to prevent bad odour when they are taken off
• Without Footwear (Outdoor) in parks etc
• Make sure to wash your feet well after training, to prevent any skin disease.
• With Footwear (Indoor or Outdoor): make sure you wear a pair of shoes:
• With a flat flexible sole, Wide mouth, Low lining around Ankle.
• That suits the floor on which you practice. It should have good gripping rubber(without studs or projections) if you practice on smooth/shiny surfaces, and one with smooth base if you practice on grass or rough floor.

Considering all the above we can conclude that the prefered/recommended Attire is

  

Images for Reference Only no Copyright Infringement Intended

  [*] For Indian women who want to wear 'Salwar-Kameez' (Suits), its best to wear the 'Dupatta/Chunni', the way Traditional 'Kathak Dancers' wear them and not hanging from the necks as there is a risk of entanglement.

(Image credit https://www.vadaamalar.com/indian-dance-wear/dance-costumes/kathak-costume/kathak-indian-costume.html)

(Image credit https://www.vadaamalar.com/indian-dance-wear/dance-costumes/kathak-costume/kathak-indian-costume.html)

Special Notes: - (NOT APPLICABLE FOR THOSE TRAININIG IN INTERNAL MARTIAL ART SYSTEMS LIKE TAICHI CHUAN)
For Men (17 and Above or As applicable):
  You should wear an athletic groin supporter (it is different from a groin guard used in tournaments as it does not have any protective plastic cups.)
Warning: Poor choice of groin supporter may result in serious injury especially to the Testicles.
Some informative articles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockstrap
http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/07/25/avoiding-groin-injury-in-boys-in-sports/
http://www.hisroom.com/athletic-supporters,304,30.html
http://skincare.lovetoknow.com/Skin_Disease_of_the_Groin

For Women (As applicable):
   You should wear a proper Sports Support Bra, make sure it is of proper fitting, neither too small/tight to restrict proper Breathing nor too big/loose to make you uncomfortable.
Warning: Poor choice of Support Bra may result in pain, stretch marks and sagging of breasts.
Some informative articles:
http://www.mamashealth.com/apparel/sportsbra.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_bra
http://www.herroom.com/sport-underwear.aspx

Budo - "The Martial Way"

For many it may sound too far fetched but to the dedicated Martial Artist, Martial Art is the only way of Life...

Every true Martial Artist knows how every breath taken, every step taken, every reaction to situation and circumstances become Controlled and Disciplined by practicing Martial Arts.

Our everyday activities from walking, working, cooking, cutting vegetables, dancing, playing sports to sleeping become more balanced and controlled.

The Respect for Teachers [Sensei(s), Shifu(s), Guro(s)] and Seniors [Senpai(s)] & Juniors [Kohai(s)] sinks into a Martial Artist's very own soul making him/her humble, which will show at all times in his character which he will always strive to perfect...