You can cut the air with a knife because of the “tension” in the room. Everyone was working hard. Lessons being learned and absorbed. The “tention” was great.
No, that was not a misspelling. An idea was being batted about as we discussed excess tension. We are trying to get away from the word “relax”. That word doesn’t adequately describe what is needed to perform techniques. We need specific tension to perform well.
As the discussion proceeded, we determined there is an acceptable amount of tension one should have. After all, without any tension, we would be a soft pile of goo on the floor. What kind of tension is needed? Just enough to keep the arms on the desired path. Just enough to pick the foot up and place in another position. A certain amount of tension is needed to get work done. Too much tension, then you are fighting yourself.
This lead to the thought of other tentions needed. We need to pay attention. We need to have intention in what we do. We need to practice and repeat the actions so that there is retention. These tentions help us with the specific tension needed to perform well.
Attention
The act or state of applying the mind to something; consideration with a view to action. I like this one: the ability to actively process specific information in the environment while tuning out other details. Yes. That one. (From “What Attention Means in Psychology”.)
Intention
A determination to act in a certain way; a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge.
Retention
A preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible.
These tentions along produce the acronym A.I.R. Air is vital to living. Such a captain obvious thing to say. But, we are trying to make a habit of stating the obvious. This simple idea can help us improve with anything. The component missing perhaps is effort. So, the new acronym will be A.I.R.E.
Going forward, we will refer to those ideas, along with the three K’s (Kihon, Kata and Kumite) to help further our martial arts. Make sure you are paying attention to what you are trying to learn. Do you understand what was said or shown? If not, ask! Have intention with your movements… have intention with your thoughts. Don’t do things absent mindedly. Know what you are doing so you can do it on purpose. Then, practice, practice, practice. Do what you are trying to learn repeatedly so you can remember it. Having retention so you can call upon the skill learned is the point of doing in the first place!
Almonte
