This week our theme has been to go “back to basics.” After all, everything we do is just a combination of basics. You just can’t practice them enough and form the bedrock of the system and your ability to execute the art to your full potential. To this day, almost twenty years after taking up martial arts, I still spend a good deal of time just working one or two basics at a time to really hone in on things (for example, a back knuckle strike in a neutral bow). However, many Kenpoists spend their time just working multiple combinations at a time. While that is certainly something you should do, it’s not the only thing. Be sure to spend the time to isolate one or two basics. As discussed in class, spend a good chunk of your personal practice time on things that matter most (i.e. master Keys) that apply to the greatest number of elements in the system to help get you the furtherest, the fastest.
About Ryan WheatonRyan Wheaton is the owner and head instructor at Arrowhead Martial Arts — a Salt Lake City Martial Arts studio exclusively for adults. Sign up for his free monthly newsletter to receive email only articles, announcements, news, and special limited time offers right to your inbox.
"When I came to Arrowhead Martial Arts the first time and saw that many people are starting at, or over, my age helped me realize that you dont have to be a kid to begin taking martial arts lessons Its more personalized than any martial arts studio i’ve seen….no getting lost in the crowd! its a comfortable learning environment. Its a place where you expect more and more of yourself because of the quality of the instructors. I love this studio!" - Heather Shaw