Learning to Relax

Another mentioned the cognitive stage of learning new skills - lots going on. I see it every day when teaching beginners of all ages to row.
I still have trouble 'relaxing' in aikido - after only 18 years.

Well, I must say the shihan is an excellent instructor.

With a combination of advice from this thread, instruction and correction from the shihan, and a different pace to the class (as we had another beginner, much newer to martial arts in general) the most recent effort went much better.

I can easily see that this one feat alone will be something I need to continue focusing on for a few years, but I feel like there is some -hope-, and for now that is good enough to keep me going!

So Sterling, who is this shihan?

The fastest and surest way to know the feeling if you are relaxed is ironically - to practice to the point of exhaustion!

I normally get it doing a lot of ukemis, alone or during a lot of repetitive techniques, the best for me doing ukemi for iriminage. What happens is your arm gets limp, you pant a lot, your knees weaken, your shoulders drop, your mind gets numb.

Basically the body gets so tired from ukemi that your muscles won't function anymore. There you are "forced" to think of another way to make the techniques work on your partner because your body wont function normally.

Because you are so tired, it is easier for you to command your mind and body to "let go". If the techniques work with your muscles not functioning anymore, that will be the feeling of being relaxed IMHO because you know that it is purely technique.

just be careful that you dont get too tired.

Mary Malmros wrote: So Sterling, who is this shihan?

Shihan Gene Cross of the Wadokai Aikido style, that founded by Roy Suenaka, Sensei.

In my opinion... the guy knows his stuff.