Why so many stances and why the importance placed on proper foot positioning, etc?
Your ability to stand properly and use your footwork to drive power is why. All of your hand techniques derive their power from your feet. If your feet or stance work are not proper you will not have power in your hands. Pure and simple.
All power to deliver a punch, a block a throw are born in the soles of your feet. Think of your soles as your soul of power. Without a soul of power your techniques have no spirit...no umpha!...no chi! It comes up from the sole/soul.
Get in touch with your soles. Practice kamae...stance standing and feel the energy of connecting to the ground or floor. Move your feet across the floor and feeeeel them. Get in touch with them. Be soulful! :)
Come to think of it...maybe this is another way of connecting with your spiritual soul as well. See the connections of sole power and soul power. Something to ponder.
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
ha! We only need one stance in Aikido. (and we still forget to use it every once in a while, can't imagine learning that many)
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to forget that the stuff our hands do (the obvious) is meaningless without good footwork (the subtle). Having a good foundation is so important no matter what you do.
Over Rohatsu Sesshin, one of our themes was that winter is a time to strengthen our roots, not encourage blossoms. Without strong roots a pretty tree will perish quickly in the harsh winter; it will need a strong structure to support the heavy fruits in the future.
Thanks for the post.
I always thought Rohatsu strengthened hemorhoids..lol...thanks for the comment and reminding us that all arts need a solid foundation.
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