As
I pointed out in last month’s blog, training the mind is as important as
training the body. Last month I
concentrated on the focus part…this month will focus on the attitude/intent aspect
of training the mind.
In
class we also we train the mind through our attitude and intent when performing
techniques, hyung, sparring, board breaking, drills, etc.
Your attitude is critical: you must believe the outcome is possible and in fact, the outcome is a given. When breaking boards, the attitude is not I will break the board, but the board is already broken. When performing the unbendable arm drill, your attitude is not you are trying to maintain and unbendable arm or will keep an unbendable arm, but the arm is simply unbendable.
Gichin
Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate said, "One whose spirit and mental
strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude
should find no challenge too great to handle.
One who has undergone long years of physical pain and mental agony to
learn one punch, one kick, should be able to face any task, no matter how
difficult, and carry it through to the end. A person like this can truly be
said to have learned karate."
In
addition, intent is important in your training.
In line with the Han Moo Kwan philosophy, for example, your intent when
performing a technique like low block or high block, the technique should not
be performed defensively or to deflect, but the intent should be to
shatter/break/destroy the opponent’s weapon. In performing your kicks/strikes,
for example, your intent should be to penetrate the target. When performing self-defense from a grab your
intent should be striking/slicing through the grab.
Sensei Soke Behzad Ahmadi says it well in his novel Legacy of A Sensei, “Any self-defense situation has the potential to quickly become A 'life and death' situation, therefore your practice of martial arts should be undertaken, as if your very life depends on it . . .”
Therefore, to protect yourself instantly if your life depended on it, you must train that way.
So, when
practicing, have a positive attitude.
Strike/kick to penetrate the target and block to break. If you do so, you will find your techniques
are more effective.
Regards,
Kelly
“The spirit of
the individual is determined by his dominating thought habits.” ~ Bruce Lee,
(1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder
of Jeet Kune Do
