Taekwondo Training During the Holy Month of Ramadan

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

To the Muslims throughout the world, we at Makevelli Taekwondo would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed month of Ramadan. To the Muslim students who are martial arts, I would hope that you will find a few minutes to read and fully understand this article on training during Ramadan.

During Ramadan, we the Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Not even a sip of water is allowed during this time. Unfortunately, many of the Muslim martial artists love to use Ramadan as an excuse not to train, for fear that they may dehydrate, faint or whatever. Cut the non-sense!

Islam has stipulated that there shall not be any food or water had during the daylight hours. It never stated or even suggested that one should abstain from any physical activities, including martial arts training.

Of course, since there is very little water in the body of a fasting person during Ramadan, one must take into consideration one’s ability or inability to perform various physical activities. I would advise you to still train, however, do not over do it. If your usual training session is an hour and a half, you may still maintain the duration of the training, but reduce the intensity of your training.

Instead of working on your turning kick by executing 200 kicks each leg, continue to work on your turning kick, but reduce the number to say 100 each leg. You will still get in a good workout, without putting a stain on the body.

Instead of a heavy sparring session, why not work on various sparring techniques, minus the speed and stepping. Continue with the attack and defence movements, yet do it in at a reduced speed and reduced power. One does not have to kick one’s training partner with full power. Simply, touch or kick your opponent lightly, just to practice the technique.

Moreover, depending on the time of day you have training; try to minimize your other physical activities throughout the day. Reserve your energy for your martial arts training, as much as you can.

I will be very frank, I hate it with a passion when any student of mine approaches me and/or begins the day’s training session, and they act as though they are about to physically die due to observing a fast, be it for religious reasons or otherwise. Just stop! Cut the crap! If you feel that you are going to die, then do not come to class. It is that simple. If one is to think positive and tell themself that they are doing to do their best during class, then they will do there best in class.

Do not use fasting in Ramadan as an excuse not to train. At least put forth an earnest effort to train. Other members in the dojang want to train hard and they are not there to give you any pity because of your fasting. Instead, they may want to give you a quick kick in the you know what for your self-pity. Let Ramadan be a form of training for you. Use it as a train tool to increase your love for the martial arts.

In conclusion, I wish all the Muslim martial artists and non-martial artists alike a safe, happy and productive Ramadan. Happy training!