As I look back to my blogging this year, I can truly say that I not only missed the boat, I think I missed the entire fleet. But today is a new day and what a better way to reset than by blogging right now.
Yesterday I had the great opportunity to speak with Sifu Rybak about some things that have been nagging at me for awhile.
When will I stop thinking about KungFu and just do it? Will I EVER get to that point? I like details!
Sifu Rybak told me to start to focus on different types of details. To trust her that it will come together, its just different for every person. That I don't need to stop thinking about KungFu but I need to change what I am thinking about (think about something like improving power or height instead of the details of the technique). To switch up partners, switch up activities, and start to find the actions that feel right and think about why they feel right.
So next class, Ms. Bjorkquist and I talked about how there are advantages about switching partners but there is a comfort when working with someone who knows each others injuries. We then laughed over our breakup and chose different partners. I didn't think I had a set partner but when I consciously chose to find someone else, it did feel a bit weird but I did learn lots that night.
I have also been thinking about how my fight choreography doesn't "feel right" and I now realize that its because I am trying to use muscle more than technique. My stances are not solid and my center is WAY too high. It will take more practice but I am trying to focus on this feeling and being okay with stumbling along the way.
So why does some of my techniques feel right and others I struggle so much with? I think the ones that feel right are the ones that I can replicate 80% of the time without thinking. Why don't I need to think on those ones and why can I replicate them with such a high success rate? I am not sure, but I will definitely be trying those moves tomorrow and see what I can come up with.
I don't need to stop thinking about KungFu, but like changing partners, I just need to switch it up!
See you on the mats!
Jackie Kohut
We all have those aha moments where a switch flips and things suddenly make sense. This happens quicker if you stop focusing on specifics and more on the spirit of what you are trying to accomplish. When it comes to applications, many of us get caught up in what our hands or legs are supposed to do and forget to focus on why they are doing it. A good, simple example is the thrust punch. When we are standing in a line and just throwing punches from a horse stance, many people are just pushing their fists out because that is the motion. However, the spirit of the technique is to transfer power into your target. Approaching the punch that way changes everything. Suddenly more snap comes into the technique and less push.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to be said for switching partners all the time. Some people are more flexible than others, their physical attributes and mental approach are unique as well. I think you will have a lot of fun switching it up.
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