Comments on: 7 Reasons to Avoid Over Practicing

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:02:42 +0000

In reply to Jesper. Sorry I missed this post, Jesper. I'm more active on Substack now. It's confusing, but yes, 20 minutes can be enough, especially if you're already exercising or walking. If you're content with your practice for now, then you don't need more. Later, the 101 might be what you need to get to the next level, or to get back on track. Or you might just skip directly to the 201 to learn some more advanced techniques and skills.

By: Jesper

Jesper — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:51:01 +0000

Hi Anthony

Thank you for the article! I hope you can give me a little bit of direction.

It recently bought your book and have started doing the 5 phase rutine, plus the two bonus exercises. I like the practice and it seems quite effective, so thank you for that!

However, I feel that 20 minutes once a day is enough – maybe even close to too much for me. Can that really be true? If yes, would it still make sense for me to join your 101 course or is the Five phase rutine enough for me?

I’m the type of person who can get very deeply affected just by reading a few minutes of fx. Ramana Maharshi and I get a lot of movement during the swaying willow, so maybe I’m just a fast responder who doesn’t need much formal practice.

Btw. I’m recovering from mold infection if that is useful to know.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes
Jesper

By: Sifu Anthony Korahais

Sifu Anthony Korahais — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:13:12 +0000

In reply to Yuko. I'm glad it was helpful, Yuko! We're going to help you recover from that perfectionism!

By: Yuko

Yuko — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 08:49:26 +0000

This is so helpful. I needed this. I tend to be a perfectionist and an over-doer. My shoulders softened just hearing this. Thank you.

By: peter levine (Ishan das)

peter levine (Ishan das) — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:42:53 +0000

Thanks Sifu! I’ll try to keep this mind. I do have the tendency to think more is better. Going for “more” is the opposite of relaxing into softness. “More” is about the future, “softness” is in the present moment, ever-present fulfillment. I wish we had been taught these principles as kids. Now it’s about cultivating a new way of being, as the default programs are dysfunctional.

By: Nick Morgan

Nick Morgan — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:24:46 +0000

There is much truth in this. My only reservation is that it sounds as if you were part of a negative karate culture. I practice wado ryu and although I recognise the formality of the world you describe I never feel I am over training, nor is training ever a chore. I can’t wait to get into the dojo because that is when I’m free of all the things that trouble me in the rest of life and I can concentrate on being calm and relaxed but also fast and precise. And while that is hard to achieve, the effort to get there is never painful. Or rather, it’s only painful in the same way that meditation can be until you realise that you can let go. In fact, it was Zen meditation that brought me back to karate after years of absence, and the two things seem to complement each other perfectly. Maybe I was just lucky in finding the right dojo and the right sensei. In Gassho, Nick

By: Barbara Gamble

Barbara Gamble — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 13:14:59 +0000

Being a new student, I wanted to learn it all overnight and to see results instantly. Listening to Sifu, I began to see the joy of patience, and I think that will go a long way in avoiding burn out. To learn slowly and know there is some secret you have yet to discover keeps the interest level high and makes the discovery that much sweeter.

By: Cindy Black

Cindy Black — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:12:43 +0000

Thanks for the inspiration to stay with it – and to take it easy!

I feel incredible benefit from my short Qi Gong sessions – but even so, my mind will sometimes insist that I should do more, more, more! Thank you for the perfect reply to my busy, bully mind!

By: Stan R. Mitchell

Stan R. Mitchell — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:01:08 +0000

Great advice. Thanks for sharing and reminding us of this sound principle.

(And this comes from a former Marine and entrepreneur, who suffered a divorce and near bankruptcy. I used to even have written on my dry-erase board behind me the words: “Relentless persistence.” I was so eager to be successful, but no one can go all out without paying the price long term.)

By: Mike Rocha

Mike Rocha — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:42:36 +0000

Thanks for this article. I quit practicing several times in large part because of #3, “Burnout is Bad”.

Thankfully, I got back into my practice consistently for the last 5 months. However, during that time I’ve had to contend with #2 “Chores are a Bore” and #4 “Energy Overload Syndrome”.

It’s nice to see that others go through the same thing as me. I really picked up on that in your class last weekend. Before that weekend, I looked at the clock during my practice wanting it to be over (it was a chore). This past week, I’ve delighted in 15-20 minute sessions.

The best thing I got from you was your mantra:

Let go of your thoughts …
let go of your worries …
… just enjoy.

It’s wonderful!!! 🙂