I spend half my time fixing and correcting old, subconscious habits that were drilled into me from Tae Kwon Do and Karate.
I keep pulling my fist back into a chamber every time my opposite arm blocks or strikes. Good form for "classical martial arts", as Mr. Steinman calls them, but I just saw a YouTube video of Kenpo founder Ed Parker saying he was a street fighter in Honolulu in his youth. He said he wanted to create something more practical. So Kenpo does not usually chamber (pull the fist back to the side of ribs) during self defense techniques. Instead the hand that is not striking or blocking, is "checking" or "covering" possible incoming attacks. My hand chambers unconsciously and without my permission, so I have to consciously put it where it should be: protecting my vital spots.
My front foot points at my target whether punching or kicking in neutral and forward stances. This is Tae Kwon Do and Karate training. I can hardly stop it. Every time I recover from a kick or a pivot, I have to twist the foot consciously to point inward and forward so that my knee angle provides some protection for my groin. I'm getting better at it, but some of this stuff feels so awkward! I understand it, my body just doesn't want to do it. Mr. Steinman is good at spotting these things and helping to correct them.
He told me that when his instructor left and he took over, he was very relaxed and was everybody's friend. But discipline and structure fell apart. He saw that wasn't good so he swung the other direction and became a drill sergeant. Then he said, "I ended up with nothing but a bunch of hard asses. Scared everybody else away." Now he thinks he's found a balance between discipline and a family friendly environment.
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