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There is something important in our lives about working toward a particular outcome, facing the stress of that, feeling like you don’t want to go through with it and going through with it anyway. There is almost no better skill that you could acquire for success in life.
Devon Boorman ·
Blocked practice can allow you to focus on the structure and order aspects required to succeed in the technique. Varied practice is however the needed destination as it is far closer to the real combat environment.
Devon Boorman ·
It’s important as a student to practice in the most effective and efficient manner for getting results in your desired performance environment (e.g., a duel, a tournament, a melee, etc.). These are two primary practice schema that can be applied when acquiring new skills.
Devon Boorman ·
Many set different rules and governors around their practice with different goals and aims. These rules change the art that is practiced. Our goal is to get as close to the martial art of the Renaissance and Middle Ages as possible—without actually killing anyone.
Devon Boorman ·
An “abort” often occurs when you catch yourself applying old skill "A" when you intended to do new skill "B", and you stop yourself mid-action. The risk of this behaviour is that you bring over-thinking into your sparring.
Devon Boorman ·
After their first night at sparring, a new student of mine engaged me in a conversation. She had enjoyed herself, but felt like she was flailing and a bit out of control. Here’s what I told her.
Devon Boorman ·
“Alright, the next drill is even more difficult,” I said to a chorus of groans. It’s worth setting a target that is well beyond your reach once in a while.
Devon Boorman ·
You’ve just finished a sparring match. You were struck, but what happened? The ability to recall a fight in a useful manner is a different skill than those required to have that fight.
Devon Boorman ·
The trouble with an end-goal metaphor is it doesn’t account for the ephemeral nature of destinations in personal growth, skill development, and on a spiritual path. More often than not we reach our destination only to find the next day that we’re not there anymore. The achievement of yesterday seems impeded today.
Devon Boorman ·
You’re injured, you’re sick, you’re exhausted, you're stuck on your own. Does this mean that practicing the art you are passionate about is out for today? Not necessarily. There are many ways to explore a physical skill without twitching a muscle.
Devon Boorman ·
