www.WingChunCoach.com www.WCcoach.com Conditioning, Technique is not Enough

There is a term often used '' form or function '' this pretty much sums up the age-old martial arts argument. You don't need to be in shape if your technique is good. This argument, if you want to call it that, is about, as ridicules as saying muscle will slow you down. I have a new term '' form and function ''. Regardless of whatever martial art you may study there is one common denominator, your body. It is the tool you use to express your art. But sadly the most neglected tool in the tool chest. No matter how good your technique is, your body still must accomplish it, and the better your body runs, the better your technique will flow. Even if that technique is just high tailing it out of a situation.

Your body will and must be able to absorb punishment during training to a light degree but during a fight to a high degree. Sure everybody preaches about the three-second fight and how you don't need to be in shape because a street fight will be over in such a short time. Yep, that's exactly how it will go down if all the stars are in alignment and you're fighting a 90-year-old librarian. O.K, I'm being sarcastic, but honestly are you willing to put your life on it, or that of your loved ones? I know I'm not. I have gained a lot of knowledge about the human body and how to dial it in, and I wouldn't have a clear conscience if I didn't at least offer it to the people I train. Think about it, there is a certain energy and confidence that comes from a person when they are fit. That energy amplifies your actions. People pick up on it, something instinctual. People generally won't start something if the person has an athletic way about them. Criminals tend to prey on the weak and avoid someone who might make things harder for them. Some might say it's like the art of fighting without fighting. Worse thing that can happen is you improve the quality of your life and get in shape. You may never get into a fight even though you spend so many long hours training for one. But you use your body every day. Where would some of those hours be better spent? The plus is, if you train sport specific it goes right back into your martial arts, a win-win situation.