Kendo, at its core, consist only a handful of simple movements. But as you practice... these simple movements often get corrupted and become inefficient and ineffective. I think that is why it is so important to practice basics a lot and drill yourself in these basics every practice.
Because you are not reading something on paper or listening to someone... It's pretty hard to notice yourself doing something wrong. A lot of things are very subtle too, and most senseis won't be able to help you, and most likely won't even notice it. I'm talking about the very suble things like the balance of your weight on each foot... grabbing the shinai a little too tight with the right hand or grabbing the shinai too tightly (with the index and middle finger)... having your body a little too tilted or too centered... Sometimes I start tiliting doing the men... Going sideways too early with the kote and doh... Hit doh too horizontally...
Professional athletes do this all the time too... So i guess it's a normal thing in physical activities. You have to constantly "refind" your movement. I guess that's why Golfers have to go to the driving range... Baseball players have to go to the batting cage... Basketball players have to practice shooting over and over in the gym...
It's a constant adjustment. Eventually you enter "the zone" and you can do it exactly right for an extended period of time... Then eventually you come out of the zone and you have to work on it again. It's always a cycle, just like economics.
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Yay, Jonkos the first commenter! (right?)
ReplyDeleteI miss kendo, I feel like you're constantly learning something whenever you practice. I guess other things you do in life can force you to try to teach yourself as well, but not as much as kendo does.
It's a really great way to analyze yourself, DISCIPRINE!