Progression: It's An Up & Down Experience
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Progress through any systemic skill (such as Kung-Fu) can be easily illustrated by using a simple analogy; That of a person bouncing on a trampoline. Each aspect of this analogy has a parallel with a students' journey through a grading structure, plus in many ways their personal development. UKKFF students may find that this Training Trampoline Concept helps them to understand the best way to train, and where they currently are with respect to different stages of their own training.
Four Learning Stages
We can identify four stages, both in learning to use a trampoline and in learning Kung-Fu;
- Stage 1. Choosing To Learn
This is equivalent to locating a trampoline & actually getting up onto it. In Kung-Fu it means finding a school & attending your first lesson. - Stage 2. First Steps
The trampoliner will learn how to stand, how to balance, and how to begin bouncing. The kung-fu student will learn the basic stance and how to start moving via Forms. This stage is very difficult, as your foundations are shaky & unstable until they become more familiar. Practice makes perfect! - Stage 3. Making Progress
The trampoliner begins with small bounces, gradually getting higher & higher. Careful! A higher bounce means a longer descent & a greater force to handle. Similarly our kung-fu student learns each programme progressively & practices until the correct reactions mature. The more kung-fu learnt, the more there is to practice & digest. This third stage can be divided into the UP and DOWN parts of each bounce, like this; -
- BOUNCE UP: Energy & effort in - bounce up. This means learning the next drill, exercise, concept or movement. If input comes at the correct time, the student will reach higher. If not, progress will falter.
- FALL DOWN: Reach the top - fall back down. This is practicing the material until you master it. Many students mistake this period for a lack of progress, forgetting that it is normal & necessary. If our trampoliner does not concentrate during the drop he may miss the trampoline and fall off. A kung-fu student must concentrate & trust in constant practice, otherwise they may become disillusioned and quit.
- Stage 4. Repetition & Improvement
Bounce again & again, each time getting higher & more confident with your new skill. This means revisiting your programmes again & again, as the essence of any art is always in the foundations. Our trampoliner has to always return to the surface of the trampoline in order to bounce higher. Any kung-fu student must always practice forms, stance, steps, punches, chi-sao etc so they may reach the higher levels and be comfortable there.
Dangers Of The Trampoline
Incorrect use of a trampoline can have dire consequences, and indeed training kung-fu with the wrong intention or focus can create many unnecessary problems. Below are some of the things that often occur (still using our trampoline analogy) so you can watch out for them;
- Too High Too Fast
If a trampoliner simply wants to show off, or to bounce higher than the next guy, he will soon cause injury to himself or others. Without correct foundation, training & technique he will bounce too high & be unable to keep control. At best any proper trampoliner will just think you are an idiot. At worst you will fall a long way to the ground & get hurt. A similar thing often happens to people who begin martial arts with a chip on their shoulder or something to prove, or who simply want a high grade & status.
- Bouncing With A Partner
If two people jump together in sync, the bounces become higher. Work against your partner and your progress falters and may even stop. Use your partner to improve yourself, and vice-versa.
- Lack Of Concentration
Keep your focus on your training & on those around you. If a trampoliner gets so carried away they forget to concentrate or look down, there is every chance that injury will result. Kung-fu students must learn to control their ego & power. Higher grades must remember that they are just a bit further down the road than those less senior. From the heights it is harder to see details on the ground - but it is still there, waiting for you to fall from grace.
So...
It turns out that there are many parallels between kung-fu training and a person bouncing on a trampoline. Success in either discipline comes easiest if you keep focused, understand where you are & why you are there, and treat those who are all around you with kindness & respect. Plus put in some effort and regular practice! Do all this and your journey will be hugely enjoyable. Otherwise you may fall foul of the inherent dangers that come with learning & growing.
- Author: Lee Heron
- Sources: None
