The Other Side

Grading is coming up soon and survival of the day is paramount. You really have to be ready for anything, which is difficult when you really don't know whats coming except what you are supposed to know. Yah I know...what!?!? Keep reading and hopefully that handful of mud I just tossed into your eyes dissipates.

When practicing lately I have been practicing most techniques and combinations from the curriculum all from the same lead. I have been practicing my kicks for grading from a horse stance and making progress there as well. Sounds normal but there is just one thing to keep in mind. Injuries that come out of nowhere and they always do. So under that point, what happens if I injure an arm, shoulder, knee, back, or whatever. Have I trained my body enough to make drastic changes, such as switching leads or stances on the fly? Would I be able to perform a technique from the opposite lead and still perform with proper technique, effectiveness, and intensity. Am I able to switch to a Bow stance and still get in the amount of kicks needed to pass with the proper speed and technique? What about outside of grading, like real life applications and you lose the ability to apply your Kung Fu because you haven't trained the other side of your body?

This is something that should apply to all martial artists and their training. Now I'm not saying that you should train ambidextrous or your completely useless, but you should definitely be able to apply your techniques from both sides of your body. I'm kind of fortunate this way as earlier in our training we were encouraged to try techniques from both leads as I advanced through my que belts. It wasn't overly emphasized, but it was there and I haven't forgotten that.... except as of late. I have been working mostly from one lead and I could tell immediately when I ran through a few combinations and techniques from the opposite lead. It wasn't good. Then I thought back to when was the last time I ran through combinations from both leads.... about 3 months or better.

So the next little while I am going to run through some combos from both leads and practice my kicks from a Bow stance. Maybe this will help to improve some of my kick issues.  Nothing too extreme as there is much to be worked on and I have a solid base to work from but I hope in doing so I can add that confidence knowing that I have a plan and I am able to adapt on the fly. I think this practice would help my forms, kicks, stance transitions, and build a better balance in my muscle groups.  Time will tell I guess but options are a good thing! See you at the Kwoon.