The one requirement that hasn't received the attention and commitment it deserves in previous years is sparring. I usually start off practising sparring drills and doing some shadow boxing, but never with any consistency, and then at some point drop off completely. Eventually relying solely on in class sparring time.
When it comes to a fight or flight response, I'm more of a flight person. In school I hated baseball! Throw a ball in my direction and I am more likely to duck and cover. Oh, and as an added bonus I will also close my eyes. Essentially if something is flying towards my face, I just want to turtle or disappear. At least the hands go up.
Sparring requires me to constantly battle a deep-rooted internal spirit that wants to avoid confrontation when ever possible. Getting hit or being injured isn't something that I actively worry about though. However I do bruise very easily and am overly sensitive to pain.
This year I am taking sparring seriously and challenging myself to overcome my fears. In addition to working on sparring drills at home, I have also employed what I call the 'flip flop technique'. I have a nice coral coloured rubber flip flop that I use to strike my arms, legs and torso. It's a bit flexible and yet still provides a nice wallop. I'm hoping this will help me with getting use to strikes and to desensitize. Eventually I plan to build up to a stick of some sort.
Each and every requirement contains underlying value. And I know that sparring is no different. Sparring helps to increase reaction time, develop self control, teaches us to read our opponent, and most of all builds confidence. So sparring time has been worked into my daily routine and my trusty flip flop is a willing participant. It's only the beginning of March and there is already more consistency in the sparring department than previous years.
Numbers February 1 -28
PU - 5150 Sparring - 159min Spending Challenge - on track
SU - 5150 KM - 79 Book - progress each week
Hand Form - 118 AOK - 140
Weapon - 116 Yoga - 6 Hrs
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