Words are dangerous things, Part One: Misconception

Posted by danielle on Apr 24, 2011 | 0 comments

On Saturday, Darryl was telling me about one of the many ways it is difficult to teach this art.  He was explaining how words often get in the way.  We attach meaning and significance to words we hear even if the words spoken were not intended to have that meaning.  This makes sense if you think about it since we all experience the world in our own unique way.  A concrete example of this, for me, is the “reach and sink” versus “drop and catch.”

All throughout my level one training, in teaching how to punch, Darryl and Dennis would say to “reach and sink – bend those knees.”  When I heard “reach,” I immediately thought to push my arm into the space using my muscles.  Sinking and bending my knees I also equated with muscles firing, lowering myself into place.  Yet the words “reach and sink” are not wrong.  The end result of a strike is that your limb is extended some distance, reaching out into space, and your knees should be bent.  So if the words themselves aren’t wrong, then my interpretation of them was wrong, right?  Well not exactly.  What was missing for me was the experience between.  How do you get to “reach and sink?”  The answer to that question and how to achieve that experience is in the words “drop/release and catch” for me.  Release the knee/hip/leg/arm and catch the space to achieve the result of “reach and sink.”

So what’s my point here?  When you attach meaning to the words you hear make sure that they apply and be cognizant of how they apply to you.  If they are describing an end result, an effect, ask yourself how to achieve the experience.  It does matter how you achieve the result.  Are you using your muscle strength?  Should you be?  If they are describing an experience for you, still be aware of the effect you are attempting to achieve.  How would you describe that effect in terms of yourself and your attacker?  Describing your causes and effects help to clarify your own learning and, when shared, sometimes those of your training partners.  It helps us all to become aware of both our physical selves and our experience.  It helps us to grow our ways to describe our awareness, avoid assumptions and avert misconception.

Danielle DeBlois
SMAC Student