Last week we talked about form when it comes to mastery. This week we will cover function. To a martial artist, or any practical person really, a technique or method has to have a purpose. Something it does other than just something to do. For a master, it is not enough to simply know that a properly formed punch is meant to hit someone with, but also where to place it and what else it could be used for. Many of the blocks we teach can be used as strikes and many of the strikes we teach can be used as blocks. Some kicks can be used defensively as well, stopping an opponent before they get the first shot in. Try kicking someone’s back leg as they start a kick and you’ll see what I mean.
That said, a master truly knows that each and every exercise has a function. Something it is meant to do. The essence of the technique, if you will. This knowledge serves to help correct the form so that it can be used effectively. One of my favorite quotes from a book on Chinese Martial Arts is this: “flowery fists and embroidery kicks”. What this means is that while a punch or kick may look pretty, if it has no function, it is simply a decoration, nothing more. Think about this as you train. What is it for? How can you learn its form to make it function better? Until next time.
Train hard, train smart,
Head Instructor Shawn Morris