When does a martial arts technique end?
Often learning in the dojo will follow this format, with the
instructor or a senior student demonstrating a technique (waza) a few times,
back and forth, left and right, followed by the class partnering up an practicing
the movement back and forth.
One student taking the role of the attacker, and the other
student taking the roll of the defender. After some time of practice, the
instructor might add a few points to consider or move to the next training
topic for the class.
In this set practice, focusing on the technique being shown
is important.
Do it the best that you can, don’t change it, resist it, or
go off doing your own stuff- that is not the point of the dojo. The idea is to
train in specific sets of skills, vital to the bigger picture of your own
movement.
So when does a technique end?
Often what one will see, or ideally always see, that when a
partnered technique ends, there is a brief pause of awareness. Both training
partners will pause for a moment, perhaps returning to fighting posture
(kamae), and wait for a moment.
This is working on developing zanshin- martial arts
awareness.
By pausing for a moment, both training partners are aware of
the distance and surroundings about them, they are working to be in perfect
timing and balance, in case something was to happen next.
Zanshin is a mindset that needs to be cultivated and exercised.
While this martial arts awareness exists in the dojo and
during training, it also exists outside of it- being aware of one’s surroundings
and what can happen next.
Imagine this scenario.
One is exiting a store, about to cross through the door to
the sidewalk, street, and parking lot outside. As one exits the store, there is
a brief pause of awareness, taking sight and stock of what is outside.
People?
Cars?
Actions?
Where are the places to move if needed?
Over time this martial arts awareness become second nature,
allowing one to change in complete harmony with nature.
Are you developing zanshin martial arts awareness in your
own training?
See you on the mat!