…..Typically when someone learns some thing new they are pretty tense. Very few people learn things in a relaxed state of mind. Once someone understands the movement they need to then relax and train it so that they can perform it without thought. This relaxing is essential! It is probably one of the more important points in the learning process in the Martial Sciences. A relaxed martial practitioner can make changes in what they are doing easily and fluidly without thinking. When learning as soon as you understand the movement relax your muscles and your mind and try to be fluid. The other night when practicing with my oldest son he was pretty tense as we started to do some submission grappling. He is very strong and wiry for someone his age but he was losing strength do to being tense. So I told a joke and he laughed and I told him to not try to muscle things but instead relax. Quickly we went from me being able to do anything I want to him having better position and the ability to slow me down and negate my attacks. He even got a good reversal or two in! Relaxation is some thing that good Martial Practitioner’s arround the world strive for. Make sure that you stay relaxed so that in the end you can perform without thought and enter The Instinctive Response!
See You On The Mats!
copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2009
Brian R. VanCise
Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.
This is precisely why many Internal Chinese Martial Arts Styles take so long to learn how to use properly. You need to learn to relax, but still understand that relax does not mean soft like a pillow.
Excellent post Tim and spot on as usual!
Relaxing is everything to me now.. when I roll with new people at the gym they are using so much strength and muscle. You a can literally feel when the tension is not there and I my self the relaxed person, can improve position in the half beat ! I also notcied when I’m competing when I get too amped up or my mind is set on doing damage I allways seem slower and get caught in something. However slowly but surely I’m teaching my self to remain calm and relaxed and good things happen!
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