Beasting

[GJEC]

I feel a bit sick.

An instructor I've known for years had a lad collapse earlier this week. Turns out on one of the hottest nights of the year he'd given them a real 'beasting' - his word not mine.

He rang me in a panic as the kids parents are obviously very upset. Turns out he didn't allow water breaks and when the kid said he felt unwell he told him to keep pushing. He's lucky he didn't die.

Is it so hard? Water and rest breaks should be compulsary for kids and optional for adults. Beasting kids is child abuse. Any idiot can drive someone into the ground, the skill is in bringing them on and leaving them looking forward to the next class.

Gary

[meguro]

It is unfortunate that some instructors still hang on to some very bad ideas about training, especially regarding hydration. Students ought to be taught from early on to be attuned to their bodies, to know when to take a water break, and when to recognize the bad sorts of pain. Instructors should be leading the way in this, instead of hindering it. Imagine all the self-induced injuries we could have avoided if this mindset was cultivated from the beginning. How much more training could we have had if we never had to take time off to mend?

[senshido]

Not good!

Years ago, we were not allowed water breaks either, until someone ended up in hospital after dehydrating during their sandan 50 fights. after that their was a water break after every 10 fights and during classes.

Previous to that I had been on a camp, my mouth was so dry I felt weak and asked for a drink... I was told no!
A silly attitude if you ask me.

[MMX]

Yeah that old "tough" it out training is not good. We have 1-2 water breaks a class and generally if you are very thirsty and ask Sensei he will let you out for a water break. No questions.

[alan]

I think everybody in their right mind is with you Gary, i hope he has learned from this.

[shugyo]

Water breaks are no-brainers, imho. Keeping the body hydrated is important, even more important than anything one can learn from the martial arts.