One of my more senior students (assistant instructor) and I were talking the other day about his new hobby of horseback riding. He mentioned that the teacher was very impressed with how quickly he picked up on her descriptions of proper body-positioning and movements of the body. When she told the group to sit up straight, for example, he already was. When she explained how to turn, he did it as she wanted almost instinctively, conscious of his center. My student and I then discussed how there are some basic principles that carry over between various physical disciplines.
Back Straight
This is an idea that anyone doing karate or aikido recognizes as important. It is also important to people performing chayu (tea ceremony), to classical musicians, dancers and many other athletes. Keeping the back straight helps the lungs fill with air more efficiently than when the back is hunched over. It also helps the person to have better control of movements in various directions. It is important in everyday life.
"Using the Center"
Although this concept may seem a bit esoteric to some people, it is important to remain conscious of where the center of the body is (basically, the center of gravity) and move from it, as opposed to simply moving the limbs around as the primary movement motivator and having the center move as an afterthought...
Connection Through the Torso/Trunk
This is related to the above concepts of using the center while keeping the back straight. More specifically, and less esoterically, the muscles of the midsection should be developed in order to form and maintain a physical connection between upper- and lower-body.
Breathing
It is obviously necessary to breathe and we all should realize its importance. But how we do it is often not given much attention. For more on my thoughts about breathing in karate training, please see my earlier article on this subject: Breathing (March '00)
Relaxation
Some people are naturally relaxed and have a hard time contracting particular muscle groups. But more commonly, it seems many people have a hard time relaxing even when they know that is what they should do. Being able to relax on demand is a skill that often requires practice and, at least initially, conscious effort. Please see article relating to relaxation vs tension: Tension vs. Relaxation (Feb '98)
"Be the Ball"
As Chevy Chase's character implied in "Caddyshack", golfers should visualize where the ball is going, not being overly concerned with the body's active participation in the process. Visualization is an important tool for any athlete or performer.
Zanshin
The Japanese term for "awareness" may seem a little mystical to some people. But remaining conscious of what may happen following an action can be very important, depending on what you are doing. We can learn something from the actions/inactions of the likes of Homer Simpson and his lack of zanshin..."Doh!"
More...
Some other related articles I have written include:
Spinning (June '98)
Training in other martial arts (June '01)
"Mind-Body Connection" (Sep '01)
Motivation (Feb '03)
Muscle Memory (Mar '03)
The 5+ Senses(July '03)
Escalators & Elevators(Mar '04)
In Closing
I will wrap this up by reminding readers that what we learn in the dojo is sometimes transferable as a skill to be used outside the dojo as well. In the same way, we can use principles from elsewhere to help our karate development
Copyright © 2004, Jon Keeling
Friday, July 2, 2004
Basic Principles
One of my more senior students (assistant instructor) and I were talking the other day about his new hobby of horseback riding. He mentioned that the teacher was very impressed with how quickly he picked up on her descriptions of proper body-positioning and movements of the body. When she told the group to sit up straight, for example, he already was. When she explained how to turn, he did it as she wanted almost instinctively, conscious of his center. My student and I then discussed how there are some basic principles that carry over between various physical disciplines.
Back Straight
This is an idea that anyone doing karate or aikido recognizes as important. It is also important to people performing chayu (tea ceremony), to classical musicians, dancers and many other athletes. Keeping the back straight helps the lungs fill with air more efficiently than when the back is hunched over. It also helps the person to have better control of movements in various directions. It is important in everyday life.
"Using the Center"
Although this concept may seem a bit esoteric to some people, it is important to remain conscious of where the center of the body is (basically, the center of gravity) and move from it, as opposed to simply moving the limbs around as the primary movement motivator and having the center move as an afterthought...
Connection Through the Torso/Trunk
This is related to the above concepts of using the center while keeping the back straight. More specifically, and less esoterically, the muscles of the midsection should be developed in order to form and maintain a physical connection between upper- and lower-body.
Breathing
It is obviously necessary to breathe and we all should realize its importance. But how we do it is often not given much attention. For more on my thoughts about breathing in karate training, please see my earlier article on this subject: Breathing (March '00)
Relaxation
Some people are naturally relaxed and have a hard time contracting particular muscle groups. But more commonly, it seems many people have a hard time relaxing even when they know that is what they should do. Being able to relax on demand is a skill that often requires practice and, at least initially, conscious effort. Please see article relating to relaxation vs tension: Tension vs. Relaxation (Feb '98)
"Be the Ball"
As Chevy Chase's character implied in "Caddyshack", golfers should visualize where the ball is going, not being overly concerned with the body's active participation in the process. Visualization is an important tool for any athlete or performer.
Zanshin
The Japanese term for "awareness" may seem a little mystical to some people. But remaining conscious of what may happen following an action can be very important, depending on what you are doing. We can learn something from the actions/inactions of the likes of Homer Simpson and his lack of zanshin..."Doh!"
More...
Some other related articles I have written include:
Spinning (June '98)
Training in other martial arts (June '01)
"Mind-Body Connection" (Sep '01)
Motivation (Feb '03)
Muscle Memory (Mar '03)
The 5+ Senses(July '03)
Escalators & Elevators(Mar '04)
In Closing
I will wrap this up by reminding readers that what we learn in the dojo is sometimes transferable as a skill to be used outside the dojo as well. In the same way, we can use principles from elsewhere to help our karate development
Copyright © 2004, Jon Keeling
Back Straight
This is an idea that anyone doing karate or aikido recognizes as important. It is also important to people performing chayu (tea ceremony), to classical musicians, dancers and many other athletes. Keeping the back straight helps the lungs fill with air more efficiently than when the back is hunched over. It also helps the person to have better control of movements in various directions. It is important in everyday life.
"Using the Center"
Although this concept may seem a bit esoteric to some people, it is important to remain conscious of where the center of the body is (basically, the center of gravity) and move from it, as opposed to simply moving the limbs around as the primary movement motivator and having the center move as an afterthought...
Connection Through the Torso/Trunk
This is related to the above concepts of using the center while keeping the back straight. More specifically, and less esoterically, the muscles of the midsection should be developed in order to form and maintain a physical connection between upper- and lower-body.
Breathing
It is obviously necessary to breathe and we all should realize its importance. But how we do it is often not given much attention. For more on my thoughts about breathing in karate training, please see my earlier article on this subject: Breathing (March '00)
Relaxation
Some people are naturally relaxed and have a hard time contracting particular muscle groups. But more commonly, it seems many people have a hard time relaxing even when they know that is what they should do. Being able to relax on demand is a skill that often requires practice and, at least initially, conscious effort. Please see article relating to relaxation vs tension: Tension vs. Relaxation (Feb '98)
"Be the Ball"
As Chevy Chase's character implied in "Caddyshack", golfers should visualize where the ball is going, not being overly concerned with the body's active participation in the process. Visualization is an important tool for any athlete or performer.
Zanshin
The Japanese term for "awareness" may seem a little mystical to some people. But remaining conscious of what may happen following an action can be very important, depending on what you are doing. We can learn something from the actions/inactions of the likes of Homer Simpson and his lack of zanshin..."Doh!"
More...
Some other related articles I have written include:
Spinning (June '98)
Training in other martial arts (June '01)
"Mind-Body Connection" (Sep '01)
Motivation (Feb '03)
Muscle Memory (Mar '03)
The 5+ Senses(July '03)
Escalators & Elevators(Mar '04)
In Closing
I will wrap this up by reminding readers that what we learn in the dojo is sometimes transferable as a skill to be used outside the dojo as well. In the same way, we can use principles from elsewhere to help our karate development
Copyright © 2004, Jon Keeling
Basic Principles
One of my more senior students (assistant instructor) and I were talking the other day about his new hobby of horseback riding. He mentioned that the teacher was very impressed with how quickly he picked up on her descriptions of proper body-positioning and movements of the body. When she told the group to sit up straight, for example, he already was. When she explained how to turn, he did it as she wanted almost instinctively, conscious of his center. My student and I then discussed how there are some basic principles that carry over between various physical disciplines.
Back Straight
This is an idea that anyone doing karate or aikido recognizes as important. It is also important to people performing chayu (tea ceremony), to classical musicians, dancers and many other athletes. Keeping the back straight helps the lungs fill with air more efficiently than when the back is hunched over. It also helps the person to have better control of movements in various directions. It is important in everyday life.
"Using the Center"
Although this concept may seem a bit esoteric to some people, it is important to remain conscious of where the center of the body is (basically, the center of gravity) and move from it, as opposed to simply moving the limbs around as the primary movement motivator and having the center move as an afterthought...
Connection Through the Torso/Trunk
This is related to the above concepts of using the center while keeping the back straight. More specifically, and less esoterically, the muscles of the midsection should be developed in order to form and maintain a physical connection between upper- and lower-body.
Breathing
It is obviously necessary to breathe and we all should realize its importance. But how we do it is often not given much attention. For more on my thoughts about breathing in karate training, please see my earlier article on this subject: Breathing (March '00)
Relaxation
Some people are naturally relaxed and have a hard time contracting particular muscle groups. But more commonly, it seems many people have a hard time relaxing even when they know that is what they should do. Being able to relax on demand is a skill that often requires practice and, at least initially, conscious effort. Please see article relating to relaxation vs tension: Tension vs. Relaxation (Feb '98)
"Be the Ball"
As Chevy Chase's character implied in "Caddyshack", golfers should visualize where the ball is going, not being overly concerned with the body's active participation in the process. Visualization is an important tool for any athlete or performer.
Zanshin
The Japanese term for "awareness" may seem a little mystical to some people. But remaining conscious of what may happen following an action can be very important, depending on what you are doing. We can learn something from the actions/inactions of the likes of Homer Simpson and his lack of zanshin..."Doh!"
More...
Some other related articles I have written include:
Spinning (June '98)
Training in other martial arts (June '01)
"Mind-Body Connection" (Sep '01)
Motivation (Feb '03)
Muscle Memory (Mar '03)
The 5+ Senses(July '03)
Escalators & Elevators(Mar '04)
In Closing
I will wrap this up by reminding readers that what we learn in the dojo is sometimes transferable as a skill to be used outside the dojo as well. In the same way, we can use principles from elsewhere to help our karate development
Copyright © 2004, Jon Keeling
Back Straight
This is an idea that anyone doing karate or aikido recognizes as important. It is also important to people performing chayu (tea ceremony), to classical musicians, dancers and many other athletes. Keeping the back straight helps the lungs fill with air more efficiently than when the back is hunched over. It also helps the person to have better control of movements in various directions. It is important in everyday life.
"Using the Center"
Although this concept may seem a bit esoteric to some people, it is important to remain conscious of where the center of the body is (basically, the center of gravity) and move from it, as opposed to simply moving the limbs around as the primary movement motivator and having the center move as an afterthought...
Connection Through the Torso/Trunk
This is related to the above concepts of using the center while keeping the back straight. More specifically, and less esoterically, the muscles of the midsection should be developed in order to form and maintain a physical connection between upper- and lower-body.
Breathing
It is obviously necessary to breathe and we all should realize its importance. But how we do it is often not given much attention. For more on my thoughts about breathing in karate training, please see my earlier article on this subject: Breathing (March '00)
Relaxation
Some people are naturally relaxed and have a hard time contracting particular muscle groups. But more commonly, it seems many people have a hard time relaxing even when they know that is what they should do. Being able to relax on demand is a skill that often requires practice and, at least initially, conscious effort. Please see article relating to relaxation vs tension: Tension vs. Relaxation (Feb '98)
"Be the Ball"
As Chevy Chase's character implied in "Caddyshack", golfers should visualize where the ball is going, not being overly concerned with the body's active participation in the process. Visualization is an important tool for any athlete or performer.
Zanshin
The Japanese term for "awareness" may seem a little mystical to some people. But remaining conscious of what may happen following an action can be very important, depending on what you are doing. We can learn something from the actions/inactions of the likes of Homer Simpson and his lack of zanshin..."Doh!"
More...
Some other related articles I have written include:
Spinning (June '98)
Training in other martial arts (June '01)
"Mind-Body Connection" (Sep '01)
Motivation (Feb '03)
Muscle Memory (Mar '03)
The 5+ Senses(July '03)
Escalators & Elevators(Mar '04)
In Closing
I will wrap this up by reminding readers that what we learn in the dojo is sometimes transferable as a skill to be used outside the dojo as well. In the same way, we can use principles from elsewhere to help our karate development
Copyright © 2004, Jon Keeling
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