FORMS TRAINING - ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME?
Hey All,
While I was teaching and also doing my own training I noticed several students practicing their forms (Sil Lim Tao, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee). But what amazed me the most, was that they were doing the forms in a passe way. Just going through the motions, and not minding what they were doing or how they were doing it.
I understand that there are times when we just aren't into training our forms, but that should be the exception, not the rule. Most of us don't put our mind and spirit into our forms. But if you want to excell in your chosen martial art, and what to get the biggest bang for your training time here are a few tips to help you through it.
Become One: Connect your Mind with every motion of your body. Think and feel every motion, your body should have a unity that can generate 'effortless power', but look graceful.
10 to 1 Rule: For everytime you do your form at 'Normal'
or 'Fast' speed, do it 10 times slow. Now I know some of you are thinking,
'But traditionally my form isn't done that way!', well, that may be
true, but if you really want to get the mechanics down, and KNOW where
your body is during every motion, do it slow. By slowing down the form,
it is like doing it 10,000 times.
Feel the Power: Focus on where your body should be
generating power during any given movement. There are several ways to
do this, but one of the ways it to put a 'Mind of Pressure' in each
move. Meaning pretend there is some pressure that is giving you some
resistance trying to prevent you from doing the action.
Body Bump: Get a partner to push or 'bump' you after
every move. This will help you know if you are balanced and rooted properly.
Now Don't have your partner give you so much force that you can't stay
rooted.
Well I hope it helps. And remember:
Keep Training,
Keep Learning!
