Training with a Partner

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By Pete Mills, on 10-12-2007 21:51

Allen Pittman international author and martial arts instructor highlights some points to remember when training with a partner...

Points To Keep In Mind

These tips can easily be applied to those training in Ba gua, Hsing I, Tai Chi, or any other martial art.

Go slowly and be clear who is initiating and who is responding.

Give each other time to understand what is happening.

Once understood - duplicate the action till you get a sense of it.

Once you have a sense of it - vary it.

Vary it by pointing to different targets.

Be sure your strike follows through so your partner can understand the significance of distance.

Do some drills with rhythm then break the rhythm.

Watch your partner -be sure they are not tired or distracted.

If one of you starts to feel emotionally hurt, stop. Do some breathing or walk around and relax a little while. Let your attention go to your Tan T'ien (four of your finger-widths below your naval), but breathe easy and let your eyes gaze at the ground for awhile - then raise them.

Be aware that some people have had very little touch in their life and it could make them begin processing emotional aspects of themselves - and the two of you may be unfamiliar with this process.

Also be aware that some people have been physically abused in one way or another and they may not tell you. If we as a class find this out, there are two ways we (as a class) can deal with this:

Send them away so they are not a liability

Work with them with care and sensitivity until they feel comfortable with being touched while working on self-defense tactics.

If anyone has any issues or problems with this please let me know. I am aware, as most of you are, about the many issues and liabilities (particularly sexual harassment) due to touching each other. At the same time there is no other way to get a sense of timing for self-defense. Also remember that it's a very significant part of our development - physically, emotionally and spiritually. In the experiments of Harlow (with monkeys), years back, the baby monkeys pushed the button for "touch" rather than food! I recall that some that did not get touched - actually died.

Please be clear and respectful with one another about this. Take your time, notice how you feel emotionally and notice how easily you forget where your feet are!

Keep some of your attention in your feet!