Budo Body Part IV

Yesterday, at training, I had an epiphany. As most of you will be aware, in martial arts you might be told how to do something but do not fully realise what the instructor means until years later. This was one of these moments. In TSYR we are often told to pull with the front leg. This in itself was not enough for me. I realised that what I actually had to do was pull down and forwards with the front leg so my weight sat in the middle of that foot. This creates an angle that wedges down into my opponent. It also creates tone in that ankle. As I am tall and therefore often taller than my training partners I have to bend the knee and ankle joints far more than I thought I needed too. 

Creating a budo body in the TSYR sense requires stacking and coordinating of the joints in such a way to gain the most stability and power at the same time. This is not easy. Learning to adjust ankle, knee and hips joints is a start but then think about all the joints in a spine!  Then the shoulders, elbows and wrists. That is a lot of variables to consider. This is one reason why I think developing subtle internal power takes a long time. Once you have skeletal alignment you still have to adjust muscle tension. Which muscles should be on, which should be relaxed? What we experienced in training yesterday was that the smallest amount of incorrect muscular tension can result in feedback to your opponent and they have something to fight you with. Finally, but by no means the least, is having intent. This mental aspect connects mind to body and is very important. Threadgill sensei mentions this often. 

Even if you manage to get all these things right while standing still, how do you achieve this state while moving? While on your knees?  With a weapon in your hands? It starts to make sense why this discipline is life-long.

Jack's Budo Body.

Usually with one of these "Budo Body" posts I speak about my own anatomy. One thing that has progressed for me is joint mobility and a more stable midsection. My ankles, especially are stronger and more mobile due not only to idori practice but also with the above mentioned, knee bend. What I battle with is joint stability. My joints are naturally flexible, I have been called "Noodle Man" by my fellow deshi a few times. However, this can lead to my joints not holding their position when I need them to. This is most problematic around my midsection. The transmission of power from lower body to upper body must come through the midsection. If this is soft and yielding then the power is lost. I have had to work hard to develop a strong core/hara. This is different to having strong abdominal muscles. I came from an aikido background where I had at one point routinely done 100 sit ups in one session. The muscles I talk about here are deep ones, around the spine and pelvic bowl. These ones required conditioning. As I was not naturally stiff through the middle I had to train that area and now as I take a position on the mat I turn this area 'on'. When I hold a sword this area is 'on'. I guess this is what is traditionally called the hara or tanden. When this area is engaged, a slight movement in the legs will turn the upper body without muscular tension from the arms or shoulders. As the power is coming from "below", the opponent does not feel how or why they are being moved and taken off-balance. 

Once my structure is set I can try different things. Imaginary lines can be traced vertically down the body, horizontally across joints and even on diagonals. I am just beginning to manipulate and use these planes/lines of movement.

Keep training!