Shugyo - the experience of going the distance

This is austere training in martial arts. It is a kind of self test to push yourself to your limits to see how you will act and react. Often it is thought that this is something unique to martial arts but that is only because the term is from the martial arts world. In reality there are a variety of ways one can reach a state of shugyo, austere training, outside the martial arts and still reap the benefits. Both for martial artists and for those who just want to challenge themselves.

A while back my neighbor, a woman of about late thirties or early forties and a ER physician, decided she wanted to test herself. Lord, after all that schooling, training and other requirements of the medical field to include what is needed for the ER as a doctor I can’t imagine why but she wanted to really stretch herself both mentally and physically in a way never before experienced. She chose what is called a “mudder” event. 

It is called, “tough mudder.” You can lean about it here: https://toughmudder.com

Then I was informed of another event that my brother and his son experience and have experienced, it is called “The Spartan Race.” You can learn more about it here: http://www.spartanrace.com

From my review of the sites you can say that this shugyo or event is a result of taking military training regimens and converting them to a civilian acceptable but really tough event. Just take a moment to visit both sites and see for yourselves. 

Now, if you really don’t want to join the military to get exposed to such training then these two events will do that for you and you will have pushed yourself to your limits experiencing martial shugyo at the same time. It looks and seems challenging to say the least. 

So, the next time you wish to stretch yourself “outside the box” then try entering into one or both of these events. Apparently my brother and his son are doing just that along with regular marathon and mini-marathon runs. Did I tell you that my brother is a Seal too! :-)   ;-)

Oh, I wonder if they know about the “Death Races” at this site: http://www.peak.com/death-races/   :-)