Two steps forward...

What links ballroom dancing with judo?

It's true that they both should have graceful movement and perfect timing but there's something else I was thinking about.

Have you seen the TV show Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing with the Stars?

On this show, behind all the glamour you will also see people working very hard and occasionally getting hurt, whether it's a blister or something more serious.

So how can judo be linked with ballroom dancing?

Both are safe and low risk activities where accidents can happen and these accidents can hurt.

I bring this subject up as I've been recovering from a stubbed toe this week.

It's not been a terrible injury but it was sore as heck and looked as if I'd jammed it in a car door.

Other than gingerly stepping on the mat and being a bit more cautious than usual, my toe didn't effect things that much. But it got me thinking...

What can we learn from injury?

Having a couple of strains and sprains already, I wouldn't say I'm eminently qualified, but from my own experience and that of other judo players the following springs to mind:

Patience – I took advantage of the recent Christmas holiday break to stop judo and rest as I had been suffering from strain in my abductors / adductors. I stopped from early December to mid January and after the first two weeks it was really irritating! I wanted to get back on the mat. After four weeks I understood that my life on the mat and off it, would be better without this slight injury. After five weeks I was increasing the stretching and yoga exercises. After six weeks I felt great and raring to get back to judo. Patience had paid off.

Exercise – I have been a regular gym user and taken some cardio classes. This has been done with a unclear 'it's good for me' ethos. Now doing judo, I go to gym and cardio with a more realistic purpose. I want to keep healthy for life and for the sport I love. Lifting weights and cardio work is done with judo needs in mind and so are my yoga stretches. It makes gym work that bit easier knowing that I have these end goals in mind.

Appreciation – As I said previously, thankfully my injuries have been relatively slight and I hope they stay that way! Nevertheless, being made aware of how fragile my body is (eg a stubbed toe making my day that bit more painful ) makes me grateful each time I do judo despite some minor aches and pains.

And finally, I have discovered something completely unforeseen...

Encouragement – In the early stages, starting judo at an older age, I was conscious of any possibility of injury. I still am, however after experiencing one or two bumps that have left me very sore, I now have the courage to take things to the next stage. It's as if my worst fear hasn't happened and I have lived to 'fight another day' with a little bit more courage and confidence each time.

I hope that what I've written about makes some sense and have tried, wherever possible to be positive about the lessons we learn from the tough, physical sport of judo.

With this in mind, it would be great to hear from you about what you have learned from any tough times you have experienced in judo be it from injury or anything else. If you could focus on the positive from your experience that would be great!

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bye for now.

Mike