Raw vs. Controlled Power

My daughter recently started horseback riding, and it has reminded me that I am not overly fond of horses. If you’ve only seen horses in movies, you don’t realize how huge they can be until you get up close to them. Not only are they big, but they are incredibly strong, and a swift kick could cause serious damage.

Between their speed, size, and strength, a wild horse is a force of nature. Yet with all this power, it is of little use to us humans. But that same horse, once tamed, with a set of reins and a knowledgeable rider, can accomplish so much more.

It’s not that the horse itself is good or bad; rather, it is how it is commanded and controlled that determines how useful it becomes. The same can be true of our own power. Whether we are talking about physical power, like our ability to throw a punch, or emotional power, like the strength that comes with anger, having the ability to control and direct your force doesn’t make you weaker. It makes you stronger.

I once had an instructor tell me that the most dangerous students in the school are the white belts. They have excitement and enthusiasm, but no control or direction. Tell them to spar, and you’ll get wild punches and kicks, but little technique or strategy. Oftentimes, we equate less power with weakness, but really the ability to temper that power, direct it where you want it, and use it thoughtfully makes it far more impactful.

If you want to break boards, you need to know how to throw your technique properly, or you risk hurting yourself. If you want to be a leader, you must know when to be forceful and when to be cautious, or you risk losing your followers.

When we talk about controlling power, we aren’t talking about slowing down or becoming soft. We are talking about taking our skills and refining them. Only when our power is combined with knowledge and control do we become truly strong.

Want to develop more strength and self-control in yourself or your child? Trinity Martial Arts in Hopewell Junction teaches traditional martial arts and practical self-defense skills to students in East Fishkill and the surrounding Hudson Valley. Reach out today to schedule your free trial class and begin your martial arts journey.