Monday, February 26, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Various Types of Restricted Work
The last few times we've been meeting have involved restricting the way we do work in various ways. The only two we've explored at all so far have been using blindfolds and then typing up limbs in a few different manners. In a sense, a lot of the training we do involves restrictions for the purposes of studying a concept in a very clear and concise manner. This type of restriction allows for a strong focus on the concept being explored. For example, if we're doing work with headlocks, no other type of locks will be involved, or strikes. As we establish some comfort with the specific type of work, other elements will of course be thrown in, until we're back to just doing freeform type stuff. A lot of Systema drills work this way--gradually shifting in and out of focus to allow specific concepts to be tied into being able to use them in non-restricted situations.
The type of restricted work we've been doing, however, is for the purposes of exploring freedom outside of what's being restricted. For instance, when the vision is restricted, we can observe the differences in performance. There are elements of vision that are important that get taken away with the blindfold, and there are elements of vision that are unimportant (i.e. distracting) that get taken away with the blindfold. The blindfold helps differentiate between these two types of elements to truly see the purpose of vision in fighting. This concept is fairly timless: take away something so one can truly appreciate it. We also tied up legs and arms (also tied two people together using various limbs) in order to create some physical restriction. In tying someone's legs together, the question is raised, "what do I really use my legs for?". Grappling with my legs tied really made me notice and appreciate how much I use my legs for momentum. Grappling with my leg tied to someone else's really made me notice and appreciate the freedom I have in moving on my own.
There are of course other benefits to restriction other than simply the appreciation gained by removal. Being tied to somebody else really pushes the concept of sensitivity and respect for what another person is doing. When not tied together, a lot of their movement is non-threatening (i.e. they're not striking or attempting a lock). But tie yourself to that person, and all of their movement affects you. This whole process requires relearning movement with respect to another human body. Relearning is good, it teaches the brain to refactor things and gain deeper insight into other situations. Freedom is gained by having certain presumptions destroyed. I think the same goes for a lot of the restricted scenarios we attempt.
The type of restricted work we've been doing, however, is for the purposes of exploring freedom outside of what's being restricted. For instance, when the vision is restricted, we can observe the differences in performance. There are elements of vision that are important that get taken away with the blindfold, and there are elements of vision that are unimportant (i.e. distracting) that get taken away with the blindfold. The blindfold helps differentiate between these two types of elements to truly see the purpose of vision in fighting. This concept is fairly timless: take away something so one can truly appreciate it. We also tied up legs and arms (also tied two people together using various limbs) in order to create some physical restriction. In tying someone's legs together, the question is raised, "what do I really use my legs for?". Grappling with my legs tied really made me notice and appreciate how much I use my legs for momentum. Grappling with my leg tied to someone else's really made me notice and appreciate the freedom I have in moving on my own.
There are of course other benefits to restriction other than simply the appreciation gained by removal. Being tied to somebody else really pushes the concept of sensitivity and respect for what another person is doing. When not tied together, a lot of their movement is non-threatening (i.e. they're not striking or attempting a lock). But tie yourself to that person, and all of their movement affects you. This whole process requires relearning movement with respect to another human body. Relearning is good, it teaches the brain to refactor things and gain deeper insight into other situations. Freedom is gained by having certain presumptions destroyed. I think the same goes for a lot of the restricted scenarios we attempt.
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