Remaining open to a different reality

I have previously written about forms in kung fu. I learned something very interesting this weekend related to teaching forms in kung fu. In TaeKwon-Do I learned that it is important to imagine attackers and defenders while performing the form in order for you to put intention behind each move and understand why you are doing it. This transforms the form from a series of movements, like a dance, to a martial activity with every move meant to defend your life.

The same applies to kung fu forms, the intention behind the movements need to be understand to channel your energy into the movement. This was demonstrated during practice of Tiger III where there is a 'break' movement downwards. It came to life when you understood that the previous move was to capture the arm of the opponent and the 'break' was to break the arm in a very aggressive downward movement. We discussed as a group how important it was to understand the purpose of the movement and the question was raised..why isn't the purpose of the movements explained to us when we learn it? It was a challenging question to Sedai Matt and he did an excellent job in explaining why this is not always done in kung fu.

Take the basic tiger strike in Tiger I. We could be told initially that this is a strike to the chest followed by a grab. This would be correct, however it is only telling part of the story as it could also be used as an attack to the face and a number of other areas, it could also be used as a defensive move. If we are focused on the idea that one move is for one purpose then we become closed at an early stage to all the other applications that will become apparent as our training advances. So you see there is an interesting and challenging balance when it comes to the approach of teaching forms. One that I had not considered before.

So how can we apply this to our daily lives? Maybe it is important in life to keep an open mind - in our reality where x=y there is a chance that x=z as well and it is important as we learn new things in life that we are open to the possibility that there may be other answers. For example, we may learn in medical school that disease is caused when the immune system is unable to deal with an attack on the body. There is a danger is accepting the reality and not being open to the idea that there is a energy system in the body as well and disease can be caused by blockages to the flow of energy in the body. A whole different paradigm to health and healing that can also be a reality. We have a responsibility when teaching our children and ourselves to make sure the mind is still open to other possibilities.

Nick
Yellow stripe sash

Coaching

I learned a very interesting approach to coaching this week. PCP.

Praise - Find something initially positive to say about the person
Correct - Suggest a different approach
Praise - Congratulate them on the change

I was helping a kung fu student with his tiger strike recently and as I am one for details I was aiming for perfection. I worked with him for quite some time and there were so many points I wanted to get across. Hand positioning, stance shifting, center of balance etc. We were working through all of these and he was getting frustrated as there was so much to think about. We worked through it and eventually his tiger strikes were excellent. I now know the best approach would have been to spend less time and just correct the hand positioning, work it through a few times and then allow him to practice and have it sink in. At a later point I can then address the other issues one at a time giving them a chance to sink in.

This is great advice for many situations outside kung fu; training someone who has started a new job in your team, teaching your children etc. It is also important to allow them to undertake their own journey of discovery and learn how to teach themselves rather than relying on you to answer all their questions. By always being there to correct them and answering everything you disempower the other person, it is so easy for them to just ask whenever they don't know rather than truly understand by playing with it and self-observing.

Nick
Yellow stripe sash

Thanking

This month's theme in Leadership is around Charisma and more specifically, thanking people when you receive a compliment. Most of us are uncomfortable being praised and while we appreciate it will respond "it was nothing" or criticize themselves. This response does take away from the person who made the compliment. It is important therefore that we sincerely thank the person complimenting us. It is strange how difficult it can be to receive praise sometimes, in society maybe we don't want to appear big-headed by admitting you did a great job and take the opposite approach and be self-critical. The other issue is that people are uncomfortable praising others as they don't want to come across as 'weird'. Sincere praise is a great way to strengthen relationships, help people relax and develop self-confidence within others. So praise-away and make sure you thank people when the praise you as part of building a happier world.

Nick
Yellow stripe sash