The Building of a Moment (Part 1)

Here’s a great article written by our long time member- Sandor Rogoff

 

Enjoy his perspectives in Part 1 of his article:

We train in martial arts to better ourselves in three main systems; the physical, mental, and emotional systems (some would include spiritual but that does not apply to everyone). On the road to strengthening ourselves in these areas, there is nothing more truthful than the saying, “what we put into our training is what we get out”. Therefore, in order to get the most out of the time and effort we put in, it is necessary to focus on just exactly what it is we are ultimately improving our skills for. Not that the singular reason of improving ourselves is not an important reason but that improving each of those systems together has a common goal; preparing us for success at the instant opportunity arrives. More specifically, all the exercises, techniques, forms, and sets that we practice are really preparing us for a moment. A split second of time in which the habits we have built in ourselves, in the framework of martial arts, guides our response to an aggressive environment or action. These responses can be broken down into individual moments and movements, giving us the ability to master the most microscopic of actions to the most macroscopic of a completed technique. Think of it as capturing lightning in a bottle…over and over again.

Everything we learn and practice in all three systems must come together, as best as we can execute, in a single action, no matter how large or small. Should physical actions continue between two people (think of an ongoing fight), the synchronicity of the physical, mental, and emotional systems must be consistent into the next moment and so on. If there is a moment in which one those systems is defeated or breaks down, then we can find ourselves out of balance at the most inopportune time. Confusion, fatigue, and the unwillingness to fight on may reduce our capacity to overcome the immediate threat. Think of all the hours that are put in to practicing a jab, a kick, footwork, a hold, or a throw. Now, picture all the singular details that are put into doing these movements the proper way and then flowing into the next execution of movement. Consider, that each movement has its own moment in time and space. In a fight, movements then come together like water colors mixing on a wet canvass.

Ultimately, the one who masters the moment and the following moments, up until the conclusion of the fight, will be the last one standing…

Watch for Part 2…

Skip to content