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Moving into the intermediate classes has proven to be a challenge for me, but I have loved every minute of it. While I am learning new techniques, the most fascinating thing for me has been the new details on our basic moves.
I've been learning and working on the basics for a year now and felt like my technique was ok, but I still needed lots of practice. Little did I know how much more detail was involved in our basic techniques. I am constantly amazed at each class and the new information to be absorbed.
Let me give you an example of what I mean by using one of our most basic kicks, the front high kick. I'll ask some questions but let you give the answers.
1. What is your foot position?
2. What should angle of your hips be?
3. What is the position of the opposite leg (is it bent, straight, turned etc?)
4. What is the position of your hands?
5. Where should you be looking?
6. During practice what should you be looking at for a high kick?
7. When do you tighten you foot for impact?
8. Is your kicking leg straight or bent?
9. Where is the impact of the kick on your opponent on your foot? (top of toes, top of foot, etc?)
10. Do you move your shoulders forward during the kick or keep your back straight?
11. What is the position of your elbows?
12. How do you gain speed and power in performing this kick?
13. What stretch to you work on to gain height in this kick?
14. What is the position of your head during this kick? (up, down, side etc.)
15. Can you only use this kick standing up?
16. In what situation would you use this kick?
17. How would you throw this kick up if you are up close to an opponent?
18. Should you slide your foot forward at the beginning of the kick?
19. Do you ki'ah in this kick?
20. When should you inhale and exhale in performing this kick?
Wow! Can you believe I came up with 20 questions for one of our most basic kicks? I'm sure that there are even more.
I am not going to give the answers as I want you to continue to practice this kick and learn these things for yourself in class. However, keep in mind that there are just as many details for each basic technique that you are learning. In light of this, I encourage you to continue working on all of your techniques knowing that practice makes perfect!
Still learning the details,
Lisa
p.s. Happy Birthday Sensi Kendall! Your ability to teach the details is incredible.
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Practice makes perfect
How many times does a basketball player practice throwing the free throw shot? What about a baseball player, hockey player, tennis player, football player and soccer player? The list goes on and on. Ray Bradbury the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award winner and author once said, “I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before, but it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it.
Shouldn’t this pertain to martial arts as well? How many times do you practice your kicks, punches or forms per week? Do you only practice in class? If you want to get better then the only answer is practice and that includes practicing outside of class.
Bruce Lee once said, “If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits, there are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” If you are new to martial arts and you are thinking, “I only know a couple of kicks or punches”, now is the perfect opportunity to perfect them.
What if you have been doing martial arts for years and you think, “Well, I know my kicks and punches are good”, are they? There is always room for improvement? Did you know that Bruce Lee would throw 500 punches per day in order to improve his speed. Sometimes, he would even do 1000 or 2000 in a single day. Granted his training schedule was arduous but he trained with a goal in mind that he set for himself. He enjoyed the never-ending journey toward physical perfection.
However, the key to his success was in his training and practice. You may be thinking, “I simply don’t have enough time to practice”. One of the secrets to Bruce Lee’s training was how he decided to spend his time. The choices he made in each of his 24-hour days included several hours of training. You don’t have to figure out a way to train for several hours but, what about 15 – 30 minutes? It doesn’t have to be all at once. Have you ever tried sitting in horse stance during several commercials? Depending on the program, you could be standing there for 2 minutes! I bet if you tried you could figure out some creative times to practice your martial arts.
Michael Jordan once said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. However, obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Romans 8:26 tells us, “In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. Use any obstacles as an opportunity to learn about yourself and God.
In light of this, as you purpose to be intentional in your practice of your martial arts consider doing the same with your walk with God. Do you pray when your practicing your stances or stretches? It is the perfect time to talk with God or reflect on His greatness. Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and consider your ways”.
In order to strengthen your relationship with Christ you must also spend time with Him. Just as martial arts takes practice, your relationship with God also takes intentional time.
I encourage you to layout your goals for your practice of martial arts and purpose to be intentional with your time with our Savior as well.
Osu,
Lisa Bethay
Shouldn’t this pertain to martial arts as well? How many times do you practice your kicks, punches or forms per week? Do you only practice in class? If you want to get better then the only answer is practice and that includes practicing outside of class.
Bruce Lee once said, “If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits, there are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” If you are new to martial arts and you are thinking, “I only know a couple of kicks or punches”, now is the perfect opportunity to perfect them.
What if you have been doing martial arts for years and you think, “Well, I know my kicks and punches are good”, are they? There is always room for improvement? Did you know that Bruce Lee would throw 500 punches per day in order to improve his speed. Sometimes, he would even do 1000 or 2000 in a single day. Granted his training schedule was arduous but he trained with a goal in mind that he set for himself. He enjoyed the never-ending journey toward physical perfection.
However, the key to his success was in his training and practice. You may be thinking, “I simply don’t have enough time to practice”. One of the secrets to Bruce Lee’s training was how he decided to spend his time. The choices he made in each of his 24-hour days included several hours of training. You don’t have to figure out a way to train for several hours but, what about 15 – 30 minutes? It doesn’t have to be all at once. Have you ever tried sitting in horse stance during several commercials? Depending on the program, you could be standing there for 2 minutes! I bet if you tried you could figure out some creative times to practice your martial arts.
Michael Jordan once said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. However, obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Romans 8:26 tells us, “In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. Use any obstacles as an opportunity to learn about yourself and God.
In light of this, as you purpose to be intentional in your practice of your martial arts consider doing the same with your walk with God. Do you pray when your practicing your stances or stretches? It is the perfect time to talk with God or reflect on His greatness. Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and consider your ways”.
In order to strengthen your relationship with Christ you must also spend time with Him. Just as martial arts takes practice, your relationship with God also takes intentional time.
I encourage you to layout your goals for your practice of martial arts and purpose to be intentional with your time with our Savior as well.
Osu,
Lisa Bethay
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