Knee Silo

I think we all are in danger of training in a silo to some degree at various times. There are moments when I can easily connect the dots and other times when I'm experiencing tunnel vision and not even aware until slowly the fog lifts. 

The ongoing issues I have with my knees is an area I feel I've existed in a silo for too long. I've made adjustments out of necessity and that is understandable. I've also learned a lot more about listening to my body and how to better take care of it. I'm continually learning how far I can push myself and what my limitations are moment by moment. 

So why do I feel I've been living in a silo when it comes to my knees? I realized I have stagnated. Nothing much has changed, mentally or physically. I'm making the same adjustments. The fog has started to lift due to different instructors that take the time to provide feedback and corrections. And suddenly I feel connections being made. 

Sihing Burke pointed out a noticeable difference in my cat stance in a few of my forms that really had me asking myself some questions. For example, I'm able to execute a decent left lead cat stance at the start of 18 Temple Motions and yet I struggle with cat stances in our sword form and Lao Gar. As I worked through why this was, I realized the technique of calming the ocean helps to facilitate a natural transition into the cat stance. And the transition after as I transfer my weight to my left leg helps to take the pressure off the right knee so I am more relaxed and in the moment. 

Then on Monday, Sihing Lindstrom had pointed out a technique in Lao Gar that I needed to fix. As I corrected my technique from a strike to more of a push I quickly felt my hips engaged in a slightly different way. The change in intent also changed the timing and the release and engagement of my hip. As I think about this I believe I may have also been feeling a more defined contraction and expansion with the correction. 

So while the joints and supporting muscle groups need to be taken care of, I'm beginning to realize intent, flow between techniques and the efficiency of my 6 harmonies play an important role in what my knees can do or not do. They will never be 100%, but with the fog lifted I have another avenue to explore. 

There is an opportunity here to get better at listening to my body and develop my internal and external harmonies to help work with and support the knees. And of course this will transfer over into all areas until the next time I find myself in a silo again. 

Totals

Push ups: 975/41385
Situps: 990/41480
Hand form: 16/795       
Weapon form: 12/711
KM: 39/1668          
AOK: 19/1521             
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/60               
Yoga: 30 min/39 hours