What is the key to movement?

[Aodhan]

What do you think the key to good body movement is, in regards to athletic performances, like the Martial Arts?

Does it have to do with keeping the knees flexed? Is it having a good athletic stance? Is it staying light on the feet?

What does everyone think?

Weight Positioning.

Ding ding a ring a ding ding, we have a winnah!!!

ANYTHING, whether it's gymnastics, martial arts, soccer, whatever, the absolute bottom line is how you control and move your weight. Proprioception is a key component of this, but the most basic element is weight control.

If you want a good example, watch a dance sequence with Fred Astaire, and then watch one with Gene Kelley, or watch one of the sequences where they are dancing the same choreography together. Fred is an astonishingly good dancer, but he is very technically correct and seems a little grounded. Gene, no matter what he is doing, seems to "float" through everything. That is entirely due to perfect control over his weight shifts, and using it to keep his momentum going.

Bent knee, wide stance, narrow stance, whatever, all rely on proper weight positioning and movement.

John

[bushido_man96]

Hey hey! Thanks for chiming in, Aodhan!

[Aodhan]

Hey hey! Thanks for chiming in, Aodhan!

I'm still around here and there.

John

[joesteph]

What do you think the key to good body movement is, in regards to athletic performances, like the Martial Arts?

I think body balance is the key. If you're top heavy instead of centered, if you're righting yourself when you turn instead of flowing . . .

I see body balance--in a sense, "Can you stand on your own two feet?"--as the key.

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