Be aware... through training!

Awareness is one of the many benefits of martial arts training but can only be developed with consistent work and the intention to build awareness. Most people without martial arts training only are aware of what they see or what they are focused on hearing. Already limited, this seems to be worsening as people tend to be overstimulated by computers, smartphones, and television. It becomes necessary to tune out the music they are listening to, the video they are watching, and even the conversation they are having with another human being, just to focus on the right hashtags to add to their post of a picture of their meal on instagram. On a daily basis we see people unknowingly walk into traffic with their faces buried into a little cell phone screen not realizing the crossing light had changed nearly a minute ago. It is now common to deal with near misses on the highway from people texting or snap chatting while driving.

The awareness developed through martial arts training is needed now more than ever!

When student begins their martial arts training, they begin their awareness training as well.At the most basic level, they learn to become aware of their body as all four limbs need to be moved separately yet in synchronization to properly perform even the most basic of movements. As students begin to learn forms, they become aware of spacial distance with how much ground their forms will cover and in which direction. Drills in class develop their reaction speed as a benefit of awareness of their partners movements. While working on the heavy bags, wall bags, and wooden dummies students learn distance management with an unmoving object to develop the best positioning for maximum power and speed. During sparring students learn how to adapt their distance and positioning with a constantly changing and moving target. Through meditation the student becomes aware of their body from the inside out, how their breathing and balance is effected in stillness. In Tai Chi training, the student becomes aware of balance in movement as well as excesses and deficiencies in energy. With push hands, the student becomes aware of moving balances of themselves and their opponents, and the effect of energy transference to balance.

 Over time the students awareness grows and expands outwards, they learn to see without looking, to hear without listening and all with the ability to observe without tuning out or blocking other senses. Through serious and consistent martial arts training the student's general level of awareness becomes elevated to that of most peoples state of heightened focus. However, this is only attained if it is trained. Students can also plateau at the basic levels should they choose not to push themselves or do not have the proper guidance in training.

 See where you stand, next time you are out and about see who is aware of their surroundings, who is aware of others intentions and actions, who is aware of you observing, and who is only aware of their status updates and likes...