Martial arts training when you're sick

It’s winter in New Zealand and that means its cold and flu season. Unless you have a freakishly cast iron constitution, you are likely to get sick at some time during the winter. For those of you who are fanatical about your martial arts training, this poses a dilemma. Do you push through and keep training, or do you take some time off while you get well?
 
There are few hard and fast rules when it comes to training with an illness. Everyone and every situation is different. For example, as owners of a relatively small and new martial arts school, SBN Caroline and I are rarely able to take time off when we are sick. We do though, call on our more senior students to help us with our classes and make sure we rest outside of class times. Our situation is different though, to that of our students.
 
Here is the advice we give to our students when they are struggling with an illness.

• If you have something that is contagious, then do not come to class. So if you have chicken pox, strep throat, or the flu (and not just the “man flu”) for example, stay home. These illnesses spread quickly through a martial arts school. In our 15 year history, we have had to close the school once as a result of an epidemic of swine flu. No one wants to catch a nasty illness like that, so make sure you stay home and get well.
• If you are sick enough to need to take time of work or school, then don’t train. Get lots of rest and make sure you are on the mend before you return. If you push yourself too hard, too soon, you may make yourself sicker for longer.
• Listen to your body. If you are really tired or have a fever for example, then your body is telling you to rest. If you are so congested that you can’t breathe properly, then you are going to struggle with training. It may be best to take a day or two off.
• If you have a bit of a cold or are just feeling a little bit under-the-weather, then you may be able to cope with some light training. In our martial art of Kuk Sool Won™, there are lots of things you can still do when you need a lighter training session. You can work on your memory by walking through your self-defense techniques and forms. You can also gently work on your kicking technique or do some light weapons training. Talk to your instructor before your class to work out what you can best focus on, to ensure you don’t push yourself too hard.

 
Above all else, don’t get stressed if you need to miss some training sessions, particularly if you have a grading looming. Your health is very important and your instructors understand the impact of winter illnesses. We know you are likely to miss some classes at this time of year and would rather you took the time to get well so that you can train well when you do return to classes.
 
JKN Jane Hurst
First degree black belt and school owner
Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero
 
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