learning to relax

[lexmark]

My sensei keeps telling me that I need to relax or I won't be able to do things correctly. I try but i find it difficult to do that. He says I should be relaxed in the technique, whatever it may be, until the point of impact and then tighten up. Like in Choku tsuki chudan for example. It's hard to wrap my head around doing that versus putting all your power into a punch from the start.

Any suggestions on how I can learn to relax so that I can perform each technique correctly?

Thanks

[username8517]

By keeping your arms and legs tense your slowing down your attacks and blocks, thus actually losing power on your techniques. Your power should be generated through your hips and transferred to your chudan tsuki.

What it will take for you to relax is really going to be dependent on finding what it takes for you. What works for one person will not always work for you.

That being said, what I would recommend is running through your katas and basics in a fast, but very lethargic state, virtually no power as if you're not even trying.

[P.A.L]

it won't happen in a short period of time, it happens naturally, sparing helps

[G95champ]

Learn to breathe as you do the move if you forget to breathe you know what happens?

You die.... lol

but seriously your Sensei is right remain relaxed until the point of contact you will move faster and be able to develope more power as time comes.

[bushido_man96]

It takes time to accomplish this. As the moves become more natural for you to do, you will be able to relax more easily. The more repetitions you do (correctly), then the more familiar you become, and then the more relaxed.

[NightOwl]

I found that sparring on a regular basis helps, along with every now and then reminding yourself to breath...oxygen is your friend! : ) I used to have soooo much trouble with this- along with just being too tense in general.

[Zanshin]

I agree with everything that has been mentioned above. Learning to relax is the key to delivering good technique but equally very hard to do.

I think its down to really hard, ongoing training, that will pay off. I know that sounds like a cop out but its true.

You need to "forge" your Karate by training your body as hard as you can, eventually muscle memory, timing, and experience will begin to kick in. Its not a five-minute thing though, takes years.

[Jay]

Dont physcially try to hit hard just intend to and if you combine this with the correct power sourcing from the feet, foot, leg, hip, waist, shoulders, arm, forearm and then the wrist.

once you can hit like this then the relaxation will come.

[kotegashiNeo]

relaxing cannot be forced. The act of trying to do something creates tension, therefore trying to relax will create tension. There is hope however I have 2 techniques I can sugguest. The first technique will work quickly however isn't feasable long term. Simply exhaust yourself to the point where tension is not possible because you are that tired. This will help you to remeber what relaxed feels like. If I had a student who had difficulty relaxing I would work him into the ground. The real solution will take longer depending on your level of awareness. What you need to do is simply become aware that you are tense whenever and wherever you are tense in your body. That is all, just be aware of the tension because if you do anything you will create tension. Don't try to relax that will create tension because your current natural state is a tense one. Create awareness of your tension and it will disipate of its own accord.

[Sensei Rick]

I have a friend that has the same problem and he is a nidan!! I will tell you how I have helped him improve.

Chamber your punch but have your hand loose, fingers closed but loose. punch out at about walking speed (not fast, totally loose though) at the very end of your punch, twist it (for snap) then squeeze the fist.... very tightly..... only for a second.... in fact, count 1... then release....draw it back to chamber..... loosely.. like before. Put your other hand out in front of you before each one, with the palm open, facing out... put it in front of your solar plexus....then do the punch again.....loosely out, then twist and snap... your success will come in doing it very slowly..... say loose, snap, punch as u do it. remember to twist..... just inches before impact. only tense as you are squeezing your fingers.... during the twist.

Wish you were my student, my nidan friend wont listen to me!!!

Let me know what u think.... and if you get better.