TCMA: Do The Thing

We train hard.  Fast punches with lots of repetitions.  For many people, and for the first few months, what we train is awkward and new practitioners of the martial arts feel uncoordinated.

They often look to me to help them but I don't correct them much.  If I end up bringing light to the many faults in a new practitioner's movements they will quit.  There is something I focus on that I feel is of more importance: working past the 'freeze' they acquire when I ask them to try a new movement.

Imagine standing at the top of a mountain on your skiis or snowboard and you've only ever done the bunny hill.  How are you going to get down the mountain?  Chairlifts only go one way - so there's only one thing to do and that's to: do the thing.  Martial arts is the same.

Getting new practitioners to just hit the mitt and fix it as they go is a life lesson.  This can be applied to learning anything new life, or even making moves in a business world.  Many times it is advantageous to try something and see what happens.  If it works, repeat it.  If it doesn't, take ownership and adjust.

If I punch a mitt and my wrist hurts, it's my fault and I need to fix the angle at which I throw my punch.  If my opponent hits me, it's my fault and I need to adjust my body mechanics.

Do the thing.  Fix it as you go.  Life lessons brought to you by: Kung-Fu.