Sunday, November 1, 2020

Oher Aspects of Balance -- Chief Instructor's Blog November 2020


As I stated in last month’s blog, balance is one of the key skills to master a martial art.  In that blog, I discussed the physical aspects of balance and ways to practice/improve.  In this blog. I will discuss the other aspects of balance besides being physical balance:  emotionally, mentally, energetically. 

Emotionally

As a martial artist, to be effective, you cannot let your emotions control you.  You cannot let anger, fear, pride, passion, anxiety result in how you react.  While emotions can help motivate or help move you to action, it cannot control your reaction.  If you are running high emotions, you cannot be in control of your techniques, you will not be precise, and you will not be effective.  In addition, if you react based on emotion (for example, if someone makes you angry and you react by striking them), this is not honorable and this is not what martial arts is for or about.   So, as a martial artist you need to understand what triggers you and practice controlling your emotion before responding, especially physically.   The best thing to ensure you are controlling your emotions is by controlling your breathing.  By practicing deep, smooth, and even breathing, it will decrease your heart rate and improve your ability to control your emotions, even when triggered or under high stress.  For more information Emotions in the Martial Arts, read my January 2015 blog, Emotions in the Martial Arts.    

Mentally

As a martial artist, being balanced mentally is also critical.  This includes being able to remain focused, disciplined, and have attention to detail not just during martial arts physical training but in other aspects of your life. By being able to maintain same mentality in all aspects of your life it will become who you are regardless of the situation.     

Being balanced mentally also means equally practicing and being proficient in the four mindsets and of a martial artist:  Shoshin, Fudoshin, Zanshin, and Mushin.   For more information on the four mindsets, suggest you read my December 2019 blog, Four Important Mindsets of a Martial Artist.

Energetically

For martial artists to be energetically balanced:

(1)   You should strive to be grounded at all times

(2)   Your energy not only matches your intent and the intent needs to be appropriate.  If in class, and with a partner, appropriate level and intensity of energy depending on your partner and drill, so not to harm your partner or yourself.   If defending your life from an attack on the street, energy and intent should be to do damage with each technique until you feel safe.

(3)   Your energy matches what your mechanics can handle (e.g., if you are flowing too much energy and you are not aligned or grounded physically, you will be pulled off-balance)

(4)   Your energy is constant and consistent.  If your energy level goes up and down as you move through forms or during sparring, every time it goes down, you leave yourself vulnerable. 

A key to maintaining consistent and even energy is to ensure consistent, constant breathing. 

In the end to be truly balanced your mind (focus), body (mechanics), and spirit (energy) must all be integrated and acting in unison.

Regards,

Kelly

“To gain mastery you must unite the qualities of spirit, strength, technique and the ability to take the initiative.” ~ Sadami Yamada (1924-2010), 6th Degree Balk k Belt in both Judo and Aikido, author of The Ancient Secrets Of Aikido and The Principles and Practice of Aikido