KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

Have you been experimenting?

Personally, I got more than I would have expected out of fighting around a pole. I also liked standing in a box, squaring off against a chi sao opponent.

Would you like to know how to get the best benefit from these limitations?

1. Only practice one limitation per session.
You are trying to train more than your conscious brain with these exercises. You want your body to learn them on on a neurological level too.

Don't confuse the messages that your body is learning or that are being sent to your brain. Practice one limitation per training session.

2. Practice long enough to have an effect.
Have you ever pushed with your arms against a door frame? Or against someone trying to keep your arms at your sides?

If you push for long enough and then step out of the doorway, your arms will raise automatically, as soon as you relax your muscles.

It's almost as if your muscles remember to keep pushing, after your brain has said stop.

Practice your limiting exercise in chi sao long enough that you get some muscle memory.

You need this effect.

3. Don't forget to step out of the doorway.
Say the two of you are standing in a box the size of a bathtub -- or some of you will actually choose to practice in a real bathtub. If you do, be especially cautious of metal fixtures, puncturing holes in the bottom of plastic tubs, etc.

So, you practice long enough that doing chi sao in the box feels completely comfortable. It feels natural.

Once it feels completely normal -- do it some more ;-)

When you are done, don't forget to step outside the box.

Do some chi sao or push hands without the imposed limitation.

In other words, give yourself back the freedom to move.

End Note:
It should feel a little strange to go back to the 'real normal.' You'll benefit by having tighter angles -- more controlled movement in a small space. But now, should you need to take an extra step, you can.

You will feel the difference ... and the improvement.

Don't forget to follow-up your chi sao limitation exercise, by 'stepping outside the box.'

Call it your debriefing session, after intense training.

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