Mindful Learning

When teaching, I always try to ensure I get the lesson across, not just stuff the students brains with sequences and and new moves and foot positions and depth of stances. Everything in the curriculum has a purpose, and that purpose is not always a defense or application. Much of the time the purpose is to further the students understanding of body mechanics, harmonies, vocabulary of motion. The art of kung fu, not the application of self defense. Art will lead to application.

As a student, I strive to hear my instructors and to identify the lessons buried in the motion. I find myself often asking questions that I could answer for myself if I just stopped long enough to think about it. If I quit thinking about the application and think about the lesson behind it. Normally if I ask do you do this or this? the answer is yes. That's enough to tell me a Picard face palm is in order.

As both a student and teacher my advice would be this- find that lesson and work on it mindfully. If you feel the need to try and modify the technique, maybe try different finishes or change its direction, that's fine but make sure you have the lesson first. I see too many students try to advance the technique without first understanding it, without identifying the lessons and making them their own. Work on the lesson mindfully and the sequences, foot positions and deep stances will follow much easier. It'll become what your body wants to do instead of what you have to force from your body.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I am determined to make the most of this shoulder injury I have. I can't lift anything heavier than a toothpick, twist or torque it. The swelling and stiffness is a constant reminder not to push it, a hard feat when you lose your dominant arm and get tired of asking someone to help put on your jacket. I've noticed lost muscle mass, so even when I get my arm back it'll be a weak little thing.

Regardless of that whining paragraph, I see this as an opportunity. I've struggled constantly with my shoulders. They try to take over the show when I do my forms, are constantly tense and ache, reminding me that they're too involved and dominant. I have no choice now, if I want to get anything done towards my forms I have to move slow and deliberately, keep my shoulders completely relaxed. Nothing can be rash or sudden otherwise I get a jolt of pain to remind me to behave myself. Everything has to be deliberate and mindful. I lose the moment and do something stupid and my shoulder will tell me.

I've been more engaged and focused lately when doing my forms. They may not reflect that yet- all motion is smaller and below my shoulders, my kicks are slow and soft. But I think in the long run this is a good thing. I have no choice but to address the problem with my shoulders and I get immediate and unrelenting feedback. My six harmonies have a chance to improve now. Too bad it took a ruptured ac ligament to get me here.