“In learning, follow slowness to understanding to comfort to usability.”
It’s very important to train slowly. Do not rush and do not try too hard. Just relax. As you become more familiar with the moves, they will become more comfortable. Anything that is truly comfortable is usable – you will do well at any speed. So, we’re not training to simply memorize a technique. We’re training to make that technique comfortable. The quickest way to comfort is through slowness.
(Seeds of a Hermit, by Don Baird. All Rights Reserved: Copyright 1986)
I wholeheartedly agree and to which I give a lot of credit to studying tai chi immediately after I joined kung fu. In tai chi the movements are slow and each section of the form was studied diligently. With this experience, I applied this slowness to my kung fu training in forms, designated techniques, hopkido, fighting. It has been the most rewarding lesson each time. Such treasure!
Thanks so much. To this day, almost 50 years later, I still train all of my techniques very slowly, smooth and even. Thanks again for coming by to read and comment.
Such a simple statement yet so full of truth. So often we feel like we have to perform a technique fast to look good. But really, if the move isn’t comfortable to begin with, it’s not going to look good or even work at all if it hasn’t been trained slowly first.
The sloth is one of the slowest animals alive. Yet ancient wiseman and modern scientists are both astounded at the sloth’s immense ability to heal. May we heal/use ourselves well through slowness, understanding and comfort.