Breaking Bad

This post has nothing to do with the TV show.  It also has nothing to do with the upcoming board breaking seminar by Master Null on Saturday.  It has to do with learning.

Wednesday training wasn't very good for me.  My body wanted to react to the kickboxing "4" attacks instinctively rather than doing what the drill required.  My focus was definitely not where it needed to be.

Ultimately it is good that I have the automated reaction to kicks and punches coming at me.  That is what we drill for.  But that isn't a focused reaction.  In order to learn new styles and techniques, you must be able to break habits (good or bad) in order to train your body to do something different.  It is that focus and discipline that allows us to learn.  Without it, you aren't helping your partner learn and when you react differently than what is expected, one or the other of you is more likely to get hurt.

Out of the dojo into the world:  this applies to everything in life.  Whether it is learning a new language, changing eating/behavior habits, or getting back into a school routine from summer break, focus of mind is very important.  It is how we undo what we know in order to bring in new things.