Understanding
Connection / Expansion
to
Create Power
As Martial Artist, we are trained to always have good balance in our stances; but how can we find a comfortable balanced position? Where one can generate enough force and power to control the outcome of an opponent with one movement? We start by finding a fighting position where our legs are positioned at one’s personal, shoulders width apart; at this point one lowers their center with legs slightly bent, with pressure of 50% of your weight on one’s back & front legs; depending on one’s personal stance, with your toes facing forward as if you were in a traditional horse or front stance.
Finding ones’ center! Which is an imaginary line through the top center of your head, down the middle of the body through one’s dantian approximately 6” below the navel; and to have floor connection; this is when you feel the floor through your centered balanced position. Where one feels the power in one’s legs through floor pressure connection through the body. This action is recommended just before one initiates a movement; this will supply enough energy to start your movement with required inaction to action.
By using one’s extremities you need to also synchronize the rotation of your hip prior to impact, its like how your body breaths, it’s in a connected/contraction state and ready for expansion into one’s movement / technique. When in a connected/contraction state; one is in “Mushin” no mind (No thought or Plan), but ready to Expand “Explode into your technique (Block/Strike)” as mentioned above to control the outcome of an opponent.
(For example, if you are executing a step in reverse punch; buy using the 50% / 50% weight distribution; now changes become apparent. Weight distributes to a 70/30 percent with rear leg at greater pressure to initiate movement or expansion towards action), with front foot just gliding forward for stability to initiate another action or inaction.
Release your compressed air blowing forward towards the target/opponent from your abdomen is the action of expansion to point of impact. All these steps are applied simultaneously. Internal connection with one’s body to support your movement following the breath from contraction.
By applying these steps above one’s power and energy generated through these steps create maximum body dynamics and personal stander of martial arts and a way of life.
(How can we add to this by including body dynamics?)
Understanding these steps and applied with “timing and distance”; will bring your techniques and your abilities to another level in your Martial Arts knowledge.
The journey of Learning never Stops. Enjoy your Journey!
Joe Rodriguez, Kyoshi
Sanchin Bushi Karate System