Turns out „Nobody“ is a great training partner!

I’ve been practicing with an invisible opponent more often lately, and a few really cool things started happening. 

 First, when I picture someone actually in front of me, my heart rate seems to kick up a notch, almost like a mini adrenaline rush. And that in turn appears to create more snap in my strikes and I get the sense of some extra speed in my forms. 

 Second, I had a lightbulb moment with my distancing. In Da mu Hsing 4, I realized my ridge hand was way too close to my shoulder. Imagineing to impact an opponent’s neck forced me to reach further, and suddenly the strike made sense. Without my invisible partner, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it at all. 

 And third, directions! Blocking or striking while actually picturing where the attack is coming from makes me look, line up, and commit in a way I just don’t do when I’m „just“ going through the motions. 

 It’s funny how even „nobody“ makes a great trainings partner and mentor!