Learning to relax

[keithhf]

Hi Everyone:

I would appreciate your suggestions on how to relax more during practice. I've been studying kendo for about 20 months (a very short time by any standard) and have a difficult time relaxing my shoulders and arms during keiko. This affects my breathing and consumes a lot of energy. My wife (who studies kendo) says I think too much during keiko. She says to be more like our son (who studies kendo, too) and not think so hard. I'm doing keiko without my glasses/contact lenses in order to rely less on my eyes and more on "feel" (what sensei described as a "sixth" sense). I'm trying meditation, too -- not only to improve my kendo but my mental health as well. I started kendo relatively late in life (at age 43) so I look forward to every practice and like to make the most of each keiko.

Thank you for your suggestions,
keithhf

[JSchmidt]

Try to remember the feeling in your shoulders after lots of kagari-geiko or kirikaeshi. (Not the pain, but the relaxed feeling :D ) and try to achieve the same feeling during practice.

Jakob

[nodachi]

Something to work on at home in front of a mirror that helped me a little, although more practice and more time will gradually fix this, is to do some men suburi. Stop right at when you would hit men, hold the pose, and look at your body posture. Chances are your shoulders are super tense and lifted up. Practice this little by little at home in front of a mirror and work on getting good suburi with good form while keeping your shoulders relaxed.

[stuartwilson]

Good question! One of my sensei is always telling me to relax. Once he told me that I needed to relax my mind. After working on it, I discovered he was dead on right. I have also found that I am much more tense when facing him than anyone else in the dojo. I think it has to do mostly with his kigurai and ki, and also that I know he is more demanding.

[keithhf]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will incorporate each suggestion into my routine since they do not appear to be incompatible with one another.

Sincerely,

keithhf

[chidokan]

I get my students to relax by making them tired out, ie lots of cutting and running about. that way they are too tired to tense up! :smiley:

[Old Warrior]

I am not an expert and therefore my opinion has little value. Nevertheless, I have observed then when I face clearly inferior opponents, I feel as if I can fight them all day. When I bout with those of superior skill and I ratchet up my intensity, I tire much more quickly. Similarly, Master Seong is easily able to bout with every member of the class (sometimes 15 or more) without a respite and without losing focus; while each opponent basically fights to exhaustion.

Conclusion, controlling ones emotions and remaining calm, at all times, greatly impacts the utilization of ones energy. It is ONLY necessary to expend considerable energy at the instant of an attack and then you must relax. Relaxation not only allows the mind to perceive all it needs to sense, but conserves energy for the next time it is needed.

[Hai_hai]

Your problem has nothing to do with your sight. Put your glasses back on and start seeing your whole opponent, openings, weaknesses, etc.

You are concentrating too much though, i.e. thinking, and therefore are tensed up because you want to perform "perfect moves", you want to be ready to react, you want to maintain form, etc.
It's like in any sport where you are swinging something, you need to be relaxed at some times and very tensed up at other times in order to get optimal speed.
You are tensing up when you need to, but, you are not relaxed (in the shoulders and arms) when you don't need to be tensed. This is where you do need to practice through repetition. Relax-strike-relax. This needs to be natural, doing without thinking, so you can concentrate on other things like your opponent's moves/openings and your strategy.

[Yowai]

Watched too many movies? Meditating will not improve your Kendo. I don't know from which manga or ninja fiction you acquired that notion, but I assure you that meditating is a glamorized concept of sitting and doing nothing.
You only have five senses. Kendo only requires two senses: sight and feel. Get in touch with reality.

[ALI G]

Watched too many movies? Meditating will not improve your Kendo. I don't know from which manga or ninja fiction you acquired that notion, but I assure you that meditating is a glamorized concept of sitting and doing nothing.
You only have five senses. Kendo only requires two senses: sight and feel. Get in touch with reality.

Diss iz whyz youz onlyz a 3 Danz quitta

[Onara]

Watched too many movies? Meditating will not improve your Kendo. I don't know from which manga or ninja fiction you acquired that notion, but I assure you that meditating is a glamorized concept of sitting and doing nothing.
You only have five senses. Kendo only requires two senses: sight and feel. Get in touch with reality.
I realize that I have only been posting here for a short time, but it really seems like you are a meathead, if you don't mind my saying so.

[Nanbanjin]

I realize that I have only been posting here for a short time, but it really seems like you are a meathead, if you don't mind my saying so.
c.f. Who is Yowai (http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1978)
Until it gets sidetracked by "Neil's troll post" anyway.

[Onara]

Interesting reading. Thank you.

[Nanbanjin]

Interesting reading. Thank you.
No worries.

[lwegerich]

It's like in any sport where you are swinging something, you need to be relaxed at some times and very tensed up at other times in order to get optimal speed.
You are tensing up when you need to, but, you are not relaxed (in the shoulders and arms) when you don't need to be tensed. This is where you do need to practice through repetition. Relax-strike-relax.

VERY good point. The whole tension - relaxation thing in martial arts (ond other "sports") is NOT about whether more tension or more relaxation is good. I's all about showing the APPROPRIATE tension, depending on the situation you're in. Sort of a ability to adapt your tension to the things you are intending to do. One can also say it is a "2nd order" ability.

Most beginners in martial arts are pretty much busy thinking of what they are going to do, which is natural. Another thing is that you might be scared a bit when in bogu and getting beaten up. This also leads to more tension. Tell you what, just keep on training and your tension will vanish.

You might also think about getting some lessons in an "inner" martial art like Aikido or Tai Chi. From my experience this is a perfect cross-training.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Hi Keithhf

Dont worry about it too much - just concentrate on technique and keep training (worrying about it will make you more tense than otherwise)

I still find (after 20 years and im 40 now) that im tense when fighting sensei (who always tells me to relax ;-) and looser when fighting peers or juniors

Just accept it

One thing i do notice is that when up against sensei one tries really hard to show how one is listening and trying to improve kendo based on his / her teaching (its the best way of showing respect)

That means that your working consciously and that inevitably slows you down and stiffens you up

Youll see this effect if you reflect on how you used to be as a beginner (stuff that was hard and made you tense then is easy now) and how you progress through the grades

If you drive, then compare kendo to learning to drive the car (stressful, tense difficult ) and after a few years its easy and subconscious (though of course not necessarily correct :-)

'not thinking too much' is good advice but if youre inclined to think about things then thats your way and theres nothing for it. By continuous study you will react to opportuinity rather than have to think it through & it will be more fun

hope this helps - good luck and just keep going

cheers

[keithhf]

Thank you again for your many observations and suggestions.

Keithhf

[Smokeblender]

Do they teach you to breath properly there ? If not you should ask Sensei or a senior member to teach you a few breathing techniques. Changed my life :D

[jamburu]

If I may?
Relaxing is important to keep your senses alert therefore to learn this means to improve what one is currently doing or wanting to do.
May I suggest finding out either through meditation or whatever works for you, and find out what it is that makes you tense. Visualize the solution ( which could be you relaxing :))
Breathing in and out slowly and emptying your mind is key to relaxing. But having an empty mind is hard enough for some.
Please excuse my ignorance and hopefuly this helps you. chiwa...

[Old Warrior]

I am a relative newcomer to Kendo, but I have 25+ years in sword arts and close quarters combat. I find that relaxation is directly related to two emotional feelings: One - Confidence, and Two - Fear of Failure.

I absolutely agree with Phil. When facing the Master I seem to run out of gas rather quickly, but I can spar through the lower ranks with very little effort. And, this is despite the fact that I am 55 years old and a mere 3 kyu. I am confident that I can defeat all the juniors and therefore I relax and enjoy the exercise. It doesn't matter how hard they try, it just doesn't seem to make me feel at substantial risk (I'm not suggesting I'm invulnerable). I admit to really enjoying bouting with those who I know I can defeat (maybe its because its the only time I get to appreciate my own minimal, but increasing skill level).

The second concept is a little more difficult to comprehend, particularly for younger folks. When I come to train I give it everything I have. Mind you, on some days it may not be very much. Sometimes my professional practice has used all my gas and my life problems seem overwhelming. Nevertheless, I show up and give it the best I have on that day. For me, the person you see on a weekday night is completely different that the person who shows up for a Sat. class, after a good nights rest and possessing a clear head. However, I have no fear of failure or losing. I accept that I will be beaten and I am prepared to go down having given my utmost at that moment. Because I have no fear of failure, when the Master says "who wants another bout" I raise my hand although I may be "sucking air" and my body is telling me I've had enough. I want to make the most of every moment I am in class and I won't quit just because I'm tired. Also, I really appreciate the good points that are scored on me, as I see it as a learning experience and vow not fall victim to the same technique again (usually a hollow thought). Lastly, when I face an opponent I treat the bout as if we have real swords. It keeps me in the moment, prevents my mind from wandering and makes the whole experience sort of cathartic. The idea of fighting and surviving, I find invigorating (yes, I recognize its a fantasy, but I think its a healthy one). The struggle is to stay within yourself, control the chaos inside you and empty your mind of everything but focusing on the "enemy" in front of you. When I can capture that state of mind, relaxation is no longer an issue.

[gUnDaL]

That was beautiful Old Warrior... lol i wanna become like you

[chidokan]

perhaps you should treat your teacher with the same mental attitude as you do the juniors....it might help you relax when you fence him. Nowadays everyone gets the same mental alertness level from me no matter the rank. Just with beginners I dont do my damndest to get out of the way or beat them to a pulp, if you know what I mean. I only tend to cut them when they do something really stupid...