Being a Champion

As we get closer to competition time I talked to students about what makes a champion.  One of the things one has to do is to practice one's form until it is reflex.......but actually while that's good it still is not enough.......you have to be consistent so that everytime you perform a technique it is the same.  Any doubt or part you have problem with will invariably show when you compete.  The mind must not try to analyze or think about what it is doing..........this is the State of Mushin, where the mind is relaxed but completely alert.........the body is not tensed but ready to do whatever it needs to when  the occasion calls for it.  The mindset is so important........often it is the difference between the champion and the very good...........you cannot make a mistake, your mind and body must be in sync.  Your attitude is also important....you must go out there with the thought that you are the best and that the floor belongs to you.....not arrogant but confident.  Then your presentation is also important............how you look, your uniform weapon,etc are also important........wearing a T-shirt to perform quite different from a wushu uniform............you must look like you are serious and that you respect the art and the judges.  Practicing meditation and proper breathing is important to your concentration...........and should be part of daily practice so that  when you are subject to stress you are able to relax..........that way when you must perform you have the ability to shut everything out.............Grandmaster Feng, of Hun Yan Chen Taiji, always asked me: Do you practice Taiji everywhere.....or only in the Studio..........if that's the case than you still have not internalize what you are practicing........keep in mind whether you do Taiji or wushu the requirements are still the same.  So if you do wushu some Taiji can be of great benefit to help you deal with the stress of competition.............for those of you who do Taiji don't leave out the importance of practicing qigong to help you focus.......also important to work on your physical skills....flexibility and core strength are all key to becoming a good competitor.  And for those students who don't like to compete....you should....it forces you to test yourself and access better your own progress.  It's fun but you have to achieve mushin to get the max out of the experience.......but you will never know what you need to work on if you don't test your limits!

Well, four days to InMat and still 3weeks to the Olympics...............plenty of time to relax!  Ok gotta get ready for class, cya all!