Creative martial arts will set you apart

Creativity simply means being able to come up with something new. How is it that some people always seem to be able to generate new ideas and creative methods in their martial arts when others seem to struggle just copy pasting the movements? The answer lies in their ability to use the creative mind.

Creative thinking is the ability to look at things differently, and find new ways of solving problems. Creative thinking skills are definitely not just for ‘creative types’ like artists and musicians. Everyone can benefit from creative thinking from time to time.

Now at the time of covid we need to be more creative with our thinking as it is not always possible to join in a normal class. When I say be more creative it does not mean find an easier way, martial arts is hard work and you have to put the time in. That said if you are always doing the same thing over and over again then you can not expect a different result or make progress as quickly as you would like.

Regardless of whether you view yourself as a creative type or not, you can learn some useful skills and techniques which will enable you to tap into that creative ‘right brain’ thinking and bring a new perspective to your martial arts.

In martial arts we are so ready just to follow a style or system without a thought process and in fact all the thinking has been done for us. If you follow a style or system then you only have to copy and paste the movements. This does not allow for you to be creative.

Something I always tell myself and share with my students is to question everything you do. Can you find a better way of doing something? Can you be more efficient with your movements? Can you train in a different way that would yield better results? Can you introduce more fun things into your routines that would make you want to practice more? Sometimes you just have to turn things on their head, take a chance and think in a different way.

Good luck to you all

Keep safe

GM Angelo