Student doesn't know limits?

Question

I teach children's classes and for most of them I am lucky if I can get them to break a sweat, I have the complete oposite problem with one of my girls. She pushes herself so hard that she will either faint or throw up about 3 times a month. She is reckless with her body. I put a stop to her most dangerous things (not bringing her inhaler to class) by not allowing her to train unless she shows me it. She has severe asthma and never brings her inhaler. We had to pack her away in an ambulance last year because she stopped breathing completly. Because of her I have taken all the first aid/cpr classes that I can because I never know what I will need to do for her. She will never hydrate herself until it is too late. I will tell her to take a drink and she will tell me she is fine. Even though she is 13 I have to send another student to the bahroom with her to make sure she is all right. She trains through pain never making a sound and ending with disaterous results (2 broken growth plates). I am thrilled that she loves karate so much but, She has no idea that her body has limits how can I teach this?

Answer 1

talk to her parents. maybe they can do something about it. you know, like they could talk to her and tell her that she should do her best but not work so hard that she faints or throws up.

Answer 2

Don't try and tell her not to push herself, if you do she will just ignore it as she seems to be doing now.  Explain to her that although she thinks she is doing what is best, you know more than her, and that she is only hurting herself.  I'm sure telling her that you have seen her lacking at the last few sessions and that you blame her reckless abusing of her body will hit right home ;)

Answer 3

First have her define her goals.  She'll probably say something like being the baddest butkicker in the class.  Then explain that overtraining and doing the things she's doing will prevent her from reaching the goal.  Lots of articles in body building about overtraining.  

Answer 4

Maybe she should see a doctor.  She may having something a little off kilter in her brain causing her to see herself as basically invincible.  

You may also want to talk to her parents to see if they can try and watch her in class to monitor her.

I must say I respect her enthusiasm.  It is nice to see such spirit in younger kids.  Do your best to retain that!  Just do your best to show her how dangerous the way she is training is right now.  It will take time.  You will constantly be telling her to slow down and to drink water.  You may want to actually have her drink in front of you until she proves herself safe.  I bet that once she is taught to train safely she will be an awesome little martial artist just because of her desire to learn.

I've done Karate for 5 years and have broken my arm and split my forehead wide open (13 stitches).  I can't imagine ignoring it and continuing  with my training, especially at just 13 years old.

Answer 5

One of your girls, as in your own child?

Well, I don't know I would tell you to make her stop. Forcing anybody who wants to push beyond their limits to stand fast isn't going to go over easily at all. Her pushing her own limits is really the only way that she will be happy. She doesn't want to be dependent.

This question really is better suited for the psychiatry section, however I'll give my best shot.

I would continue to have her bring the inhaler, for safety purposes, but is known that physical fitness reduces and in some cases eliminates asthma, but it takes time.

As far as the hydration is concerned. I would suggest you take a hint from my old boot-camp memories. What you can do is: at the beginning of class have everybody line up with a cup of water, and have them chug it (EVERYBODY). Whoever doesn't do it, make them do push-ups and sit on the bench until they drink it. Then break at 30min and do the same thing. Eventually everybody will get used to it and it will become a race to see who can chug the fastest. Its a great way to ensure hydration.

Answer 6

it sounds like her focus is on the the moves, and what she can do with her body.  as a sensei i think you also need to remind her that part of any martial art is to hone the mind, and appreciate the focus and patience needed to truly be successful.  if she is an upper level student, maybe try having her help younger students, give her problems to attack mentally.  im not saying make her an instructor, but if a student asks you a question she may or may not know, ask her to chime in.

also, maybe they need more education in general physical health to avoid dehydration and exhaustion.  

help her mind catch up to her body... and tell her mom to remember her inhaler.  

Answer 7

Asher sensi, you must instill in her a respect for the rules, so that she may progress in karate.  Once she respects the rules, she will be better at her martial arts.

Answer 8

I was this student at one point.

I had to learn that pushing myself too far is actually dulling the knife. Yes you can train hard, push yourself to a safe limit, but going beyond that can actually harm the blade so to speak.

To be honest I stopped doing the over training when I joined Tai chi, I learned that you dont have to kill yourself to get the benefits of training, In fact, you should feel BETTER at the end of class, then at the beginning.

Teach this girl that Self-Respect, which I'm sure is one of your school rules, includes taking care of yourself. And that rest is the most important part of martial arts.  This is what worked for me, I hope it works for this girl before she does herself serious harm.

Answer 9

She wants to train hard. Good. Teach her how to train hard properly. This is going to require you to educate her on the principles of training/overtraining. She also needs to know that proper hydration is good for training. If she says she's fine, reply that if she feels thirsty then its too late.

Answer 10

It may be that due to her asthma she has been told in the past she isn't able to do things and is trying to prove them and her body wrong. You may not be communicating very well the need to look after your body, maybe you could use an allegory of how your body is your weapon and that like a gun or sword if not looked after properly will not function as it should, don't make it about not being able to do something or her not getting sick but about maximizing her abilities. If that doesn't work you could threaten that if she doesn't start looking after herself you will stop the class while she recovers, and that if it continues you will put her out of the class.

If you are runing the class you could be leaving yourself open to legal troubles of not giving proper supervision if this child is training so hard she is harming herself.