Post by Stephen on Feb 12, 2006 5:04:48 GMT -5
Perception and Speed: Critical Concepts
Before we focus our attention on the forms and lessons, we must familiarize ourselves with two of the
most important concepts in the study of San Soo – perception and speed. The old and frequently quoted adage, "the body cannot conceive what the mind cannot perceive" is as true today, as it was over the centuries.
Remember this: regardless of how diligently a person practices the movements and lessons, their
efforts will never lead to consistently superb results unless they can see the correct forms in their
mind before their feet touch the floor. This is critical. Hours of purely physical "movement" may
produce a good looking technique here and there, but nothing that consistently bares quality. If we
said the word "circle," you would involuntarily see a circle in your mind. If we said the word "square",
you would automatically see a square image before you work with it. The mental image is formed instantly in your mind because you are so familiar with these two shapes. If the imaged movement you attempted did not look as much, say, like a circle as you can imagine, then you would try and try again, each time mentally comparing your efforts with your frame of reference - The image you have in your mind of what a circle should look like. The same idea is true with San Soo fighting. To become skillful in
this art, you must study the lessons and forms so thoroughly that you can literally see them – each
curve, oval and line – in your mind with clarity. The goal for aspiring practitioner is for the elements of form to become as inherently familiar as the common shapes of the circle and square. Only then will
you know what the movements should look like on the mat before they are executed.
As to the subject of speed, again we stress that one should never work too fast, nor too slowly.
Moving too slowly or deliberately will often produce results that are excessively weighted, angular, or round. Traveling too fast will invariably result in misshaped horses and frequently poor placement
choices between movements. In most cases, the body will move faster than the mind can produce a mental image of the intended movement. Therefore, take the time to study the forms and lessons
first, then practice with suitable speed to enable you to "see" the "shape" of the movement, as you execute them. Transfer your body weight, using only enough pressure and weight to produce smooth, flowing movements that are graceful and balanced. Investment in such exercising pays big dividends
in the skill you ultimately acquire. In beginning our study of the technique, it is vital to stress that the
quality of movement is as crucial to good San Soo as is the accuracy of the lessons and forms
themselves. The necessity of practice has already been stressed, yet it is wise to emphasize this point again.
Before we focus our attention on the forms and lessons, we must familiarize ourselves with two of the
most important concepts in the study of San Soo – perception and speed. The old and frequently quoted adage, "the body cannot conceive what the mind cannot perceive" is as true today, as it was over the centuries.
Remember this: regardless of how diligently a person practices the movements and lessons, their
efforts will never lead to consistently superb results unless they can see the correct forms in their
mind before their feet touch the floor. This is critical. Hours of purely physical "movement" may
produce a good looking technique here and there, but nothing that consistently bares quality. If we
said the word "circle," you would involuntarily see a circle in your mind. If we said the word "square",
you would automatically see a square image before you work with it. The mental image is formed instantly in your mind because you are so familiar with these two shapes. If the imaged movement you attempted did not look as much, say, like a circle as you can imagine, then you would try and try again, each time mentally comparing your efforts with your frame of reference - The image you have in your mind of what a circle should look like. The same idea is true with San Soo fighting. To become skillful in
this art, you must study the lessons and forms so thoroughly that you can literally see them – each
curve, oval and line – in your mind with clarity. The goal for aspiring practitioner is for the elements of form to become as inherently familiar as the common shapes of the circle and square. Only then will
you know what the movements should look like on the mat before they are executed.
As to the subject of speed, again we stress that one should never work too fast, nor too slowly.
Moving too slowly or deliberately will often produce results that are excessively weighted, angular, or round. Traveling too fast will invariably result in misshaped horses and frequently poor placement
choices between movements. In most cases, the body will move faster than the mind can produce a mental image of the intended movement. Therefore, take the time to study the forms and lessons
first, then practice with suitable speed to enable you to "see" the "shape" of the movement, as you execute them. Transfer your body weight, using only enough pressure and weight to produce smooth, flowing movements that are graceful and balanced. Investment in such exercising pays big dividends
in the skill you ultimately acquire. In beginning our study of the technique, it is vital to stress that the
quality of movement is as crucial to good San Soo as is the accuracy of the lessons and forms
themselves. The necessity of practice has already been stressed, yet it is wise to emphasize this point again.