Logic applied to operating the body in the martial arts
Newsletter 1143
People often want an example of matrixing in the martial arts. They want to see this so called ‘logic’ in action. So let’s start with the foot.
Number one: always walk softly. To slap your foot down causes impact, and that impact can result in foot problems.
Number two: align the feet when walking. Point the bones of the foot so that they are pointing in the same direction of the legs. If you don’t, you will twist your knee, and cause a ‘grind’ in the joints. This may result in such things as knee replacements and hip replacements.
Number three: roll the foot when walking. Figure out how to get the best use of the arch (a spring). Doing this increases awareness in and of the foot, and causes the foot to move with efficiency. (Awareness also tends to cure injuries).
Number four: when doing a front kick bring the knee up, and synchronize the drop of the knee with the raise of the lower leg and the unfolding of the knee. Make sure you use the hips.
Number five: when doing a side kick never kick with the knife edge. If you doubt this, then simply take off your shoes and walk a few feet on the sides of your foot. No padding, bones misaligned, and it hurts.
That’s a brief matrix of the foot. There’s a lot more, but understanding those basic principles will open the door to further and deeper understanding of the foot.
But that is JUST the foot! What about the knee, the hip, every other joint in the body? How do they align? What about thrusting, hip rotation and sinking the weight? Those are the three factors involved in putting weight into a strike, and increasing energy! And why does increasing weight increase energy?
You can see there is a LOT of things to consider if you are going to move your body with maximum efficiency. The problem is that most martial arts these days are poorly taught, with absolutely no attention to the physics and dynamics of the human body. In fact, I have met many martial artists who have ended up getting knee replacement, shoulders rebuilt, and so on, and I always suspect that the reason behind their infirmity is a simple lack of understanding of how to use the body correctly.
And, last word, lack of understanding of how to use the body is only half the problem. The other half is a lack of understanding, and TRUCKLOADS of bad information, on striking, kicking, forms, techniques, and even the philosophies of the martial arts.
Hope I’ve shed a little light, or at least lessened the darkness.
Have a great work out, and don’t forget to subscribe to me on substack. You can subscribe for free, but paid subscribers get my Monkey Boxing Video Course for cheap ($8 a month)
Al Case
MonsterMartialArts.com
