Speed & Other Details in Our Training

I am not a sports person, and I am definitely not a car person. Put those together, and I am certainly not a NASCAR person.

There is a joke about auto racing that the most exciting part is when "they turn left." But is that really true?

As someone who knows next to nothing about NASCAR, I started thinking about what goes into a race. There has to be more to it than simply driving in circles. A driver must know when to accelerate, when to shift gears, how to position the car around competitors, and when to slow down to stay safe and maintain control.

Success is not just about driving the car—it is about how you use it. Going fast is not always better than going slow, just as turning left is not inherently better than turning right. What makes someone a great driver is understanding the intricacies of the sport and knowing how to apply the right skill at the right moment.

This week's Message of the Week is speed control, and it connects closely to what we discussed last week about tension and relaxation. We talked about how opposites often work together to create balance. The same principle applies to speed. Understanding when to move quickly and when to slow down is an important part of developing skill.

There are times during exercise when I should sprint as fast as I can. There are other times when I should slow my breathing and recover. Sometimes I lift heavy weights for only a few explosive repetitions. Other times I perform slow, controlled isometric exercises. Anyone can jump on a treadmill or lift a weight, but training with purpose produces better results.

This week, think about how you perform your techniques. Are you training, or are you simply going through the motions? Are you practicing drills, or are you developing skills? Learn to control your mind, body, and emotions so that you not only improve the speed of your movements, but also the intent behind them.

Want to help yourself or your child develop greater skill, control, speed, and strength? Trinity Martial Arts can help. Located in Hopewell Junction, we teach traditional martial arts and practical self-defense skills to students throughout East Fishkill and the surrounding Hudson Valley. Contact us today to schedule a free trial class and begin your martial arts journey.