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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 ·
One of the main errors I see people making in solitary practice is over-practicing a single action. Generally this comes in the form of practicing a complex, multi-part action, without the needed external stimulus to give the technique its contextual relevance, timing, and feeling.
Devon Boorman ·
Being able to mechanically conduct a technique is important for establishing a combative base. However to be successful with a given technique requires a much greater level of understanding of its application.
Devon Boorman ·
Even brand new students who’ve never held a sword before share experiences of feeling like they look stupid at their first class. Many resist ever having a first class because of this.
Devon Boorman ·
Keeping a new skill in the active portion of the brain allows you to return to serious study of that skill (for example in a weekly class) more ready for new information and with a much higher level of retention of previous material.
Devon Boorman ·
