We cannot take for granted how we move or even maintain a static pose – a lot of chronic pains are developed because of bad mechanics. By mechanics, we mean strength and coordination of muscles, workload, angles / alignment, balance, levers, fulcrum, timing/direction of movement, etc. However, while those concepts are needed but that is not how we learn to move or walk.
As an example, the process of learning how-to-walk involves a lot of little steps at different stages:
- As a toddler, from having the desire to move from point A to point B out of curiosity or the need to stand up to see / get something, from learning to wobble to taking the first step. Common to all is the desire to accomplish something despite the number of falls and the goal is simply the accomplishment of the task. At this point, of prime importance is to generate the desire to move and to ensure their safety while letting the child experiment.
- For children and youths, through sports and play, they learn how to walk on ice, up the slope, climb, to walk/run with speed, to be evasive as a basketball player and much more. In competitive sports, you practice accomplishing these ‘tasks’ effectively through drills and imitation. Some good coaches will explain to you why certain ‘styles’ of movement helps in accomplishing the ‘task’ better based on what is needed. While a ballerina can move with grace, they may not be able to run as fast as a sprinter. However, to get a judoka to walk gracefully may be like pulling teeth.
- As an adult, habits are already formed. However, some may have to revisit the whole process again. For example, after a disabling injury, to solve a chronic pain by changing the way your walk/run. To convince adults to change age-old habits is difficult and you have to explain why the change can make a difference.
- For seniors, when the muscles weakened, one may even have to learn how to stand up and walk again. Things that is taken for granted can become challenging when muscles weaken, joints ache or when one panic. Guidance, support and explanation will make them feel they can maintain control over their own destiny.
Exercise
How is this article related to our learning of self defense?
Use a random word (e.g. time, muscle, ball or whatever) to search the blog and see what you come up with. Try to read one or more articles that come up from the search. Do you have a deeper understanding of the article(s) now? Is there something that it is hinting that you missed the first time around. Share your new revelation / understanding. Again email me.