Training tip of the week - August 28th

Visualization

Imagine me trying to teach you a karate technique, or even an entire kata, without letting you see it. Imagine how difficult Bossai Sho, nunchaku forms, or even Taikyoku Shodan would be without a visual reference. Being able to see things is crucial to human learning and understanding. Keep this in mind when it comes to your own training.

Luckily for you students, I do show you the techniques, and you see other students performing them, as well. We are visual creatures so this is a necessity. Now think about yourself and your own progress. Can you see yourself doing each of the forms you know? Can you imagine what you look like punching, kicking, and roaring out kiais?

Can you imagine yourself better? Can you see yourself with lower, stronger stances, with higher jumps, faster kicks, and better reflexes when sparring? Can you see yourself as a brown belt, a red belt, or a black belt? Sit down now and close your eyes and imagine yourself tying a black belt around your waist and bowing before a kata you created. Imagine your yoi stance, your first movement, the fire in your eyes, your breathing. Imagine the sound of your hands in the air, of your feet hitting the ground.

Hear your kiai.

Your goal this week is to find a visualization of yourself, a very real sense of everything about you, and the way you would like to be. See the image and keep it in your mind's eye the next time you train. Don't perform your movements with the hope of little bits of unseen progress, but move with the intention of your black belt image and see if this feels any different. Reach for this inner strength, this hidden sensei waiting to be discovered. See it all, and then boldly do it!