Brendan,
Do you have any advice for trying to practice and implement effortless power while also attending other martial arts? I myself attend an MMA gym that consists mainly of Muay Thai, boxing, and Jiu Jitsu and try to do every movement as effortless as possible.
I have had some issues in the past with keeping my hands up (because I’m sure anyone who’s ever really done boxing knows how much they stress that) while being very relaxed. This is just an example of in a sense the two intersecting; doing both at the same time.
I would prefer to come do a workshop and train with you all, but as of the immediate moment, an MMA gym is the best I have so I gotta work with what I got. It’s great grounded feedback and a real place to see and train the effectiveness of the ability to actually do it.
Any insight or advice is appreciated really.
Thanks.
This should help. Other than the video the main thing is to get out there and train it until you can do it.
I have had some issues in the past with keeping my hands up (because I’m sure anyone who’s ever really done boxing knows how much they stress that) while being very relaxed. This is just an example of in a sense the two intersecting; doing both at the same time.
Hey Devin,
Re: Keeping Hands up
MMA gym is perfect.. and you're ahead since typical gyms don't create the distinctions that Cheng Hsin does :)
Do you practice 'hand up-you down/marrow draining'? (Diaz bros in MMA seem to do this...their punches seem effortless like swimming-cascading feeling to the feet)
I personally use a tight peek-a-boo (Tyson) style to slip n' throw (punch) or 'complementing' (slip-throw just before or during the opponent's attack).
Actually, I had 0.5kg dumbells strapped parallel to my wrists during padwork today in peek-a-boo and open stances with no issue trying to keep my hands up. This was a 45 min constant round, no rest completely relaxed and having fun!
The body eventually aligns and punches become effortless (feels like no arms...everything comes from the ground and centre).....Mind you it can take over a year or two to really get this even with constant practice like building a bridge.
For warm ups I tend to start with the 'floppy 1-5 aligning' (see the start of Cheng Hsin boxing video disc 2). I find my arms eventually go up and 'drain' automatically by themselves into the feet while moving from centre, shifting and pressing the foot (sinking-compression) for power and it's like the arms have a life of their own! When fully aligned the arms eventually reset back into shape ('hands up'/'you down' regular stance) when not throwing and 'rest there' (e.g. resting in 'peek a boo').
Robert