While going through basics, what do you consider the most
important or peak technique?
Let’s take attack punch as an example. Is the most important technique the first
punch when we kiyup? The second punch,
the punch after we turn (if so, which turn?), the last punch before finish or
transition to a different technique?
What about hyung?
Which technique should you concentrate the most on? Which one should be the most powerful? Ready?
The technique with the kiyup? The
techniques after a transition? The last
technique? Finish?
In class a lot of times we start going through the motion
and we “save” ourselves for a technique or rush to get to the technique where
we kiyup on or some technique we particularly like. In doing so, we are not focused, those
move/transition, “in- between” techniques are not effective leaving us very
vulnerable and unsafe.
A couple examples that come to mind that really reinforce
this concept for me are:
(1)
In Pyung Ahn 3, I notice a lot that we rush
from the extended spear hand through the turn to get to the outward hammer
fist. In doing so we are probably not
grounded and missed out on being able to use at least three techniques (hip
move to displace an opponent, elbow strike, and forearm strike) before even
performing the hammer fist.
(2)
In No Pe Hyung, sometimes people focus and
build up to the board break and then lose all focus for the rest of the form. I think the person who created No Pe Hyung was
brilliant that the board break was not the last move; therefore reinforcing
every move is important and teaching us if we build up for just one move, we
are vulnerable afterwards.
The reality is that every technique, transition, turn is
the most important technique at that moment. The next technique is inconsequential if you
are not focused and perform the technique at hand as if it was the most
important. If you are getting ahead of
yourself and thinking ahead, I can guarantee your techniques will not be
effective. Winding up for the “kill”
technique or saving energy for that kill technique will most likely get you
injured or killed. It is so critical to
stay in the moment and focus on the task at hand.
It is so important we stay in the moment and not rush to
flow from technique to technique but focus on each step as we move however
inconsequential it may appear to be at first.
We need to treat each technique, transition, turn like it is the most
important and that is the move that will save your life.
Regards,
Kelly
A good
martial artist puts his mind on one thing at a time. The secret of kime [tightening the mind], is
to exclude all extraneous thoughts that are not concerned with achieving your
immediate goal.” ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong
martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do, as quoted by Joe Hyams in
his book “Zen In the Martial Arts”
