unbendable arm question

[BladeLee]

thanks Kickchick ive been to that site though and have read everything on it, but i still need a video or ..something for the unbendable arm thing anyhow ill practice alot today and post in a few hours. thanks

[BladeLee]

and 1 more thing caffineking, are you saying that by thinking externally, you should still think about your arm, but you should think about it extending all the way across the room or whatever, instead of thinking about someone bending it?

[Kensai]

On a biological level, it is based purely on good biomechanics. Relaxation is the key, for example, have you ever held a sleeping baby. Now at only 9lbs or so, they feel much heaver. This can be attributed to true relaxation. The same applies in Aikido, self defence IMHO, should be as easy as walking and breathing. All these things you do:

 

Firstly with out thought, as they are natural

 

Secondly, these movements are done with minimal effort, you dont walk tensed as this would tire you out very quickly. My Sensei calls it living relaxtion. I dont mean slubbed over and dragging your heels. But with "minimium effort and maxium effienticy.

 

One of my teachers talks about it in an article:

 

http://www.kifedgb.force9.co.uk/contents.html

 

(I think its under Personal Insight by Sensei K. Williams)

 

Hope this helps

 

Regards,

[BladeLee]

still no good i know it will take me a while to learn though *sigh*, i dont get too frustrated but still ..blah lol. Anyhow i gotta go now so ill reply later thanks again

[KickChick]

On a biological level, it is based purely on good biomechanics.

 

Yes, exactly. This is can be explained by how strength is applied and used.

 

By making a fist and using all of your muscle strength to keep your arm from being bent you are tightening the "big-bellied" muscles of the arm ... the biceps. When your partner applies pressure to your arm, it bends because the muscles you have engaged are not the muscles needed to resist the pressure on your arm but are the exact muscles that move your arm in the same direction as his pressure.... the biceps bend.

 

What is comng into play is your unfamiliarity with the task at hand and the directive to "use all of your muscle." This sets you up actually by having you use the wrong muscles. Once you begin, you fail the task due to improper use of your strength.

 

When you are told the "secret," ...you are to open your hand and relax and to extend your energy. This is the correct set up for the proper use of strength because it is in extending your arm that you engage your tricep muscles. Your arm can't be bent because you are using the tricep muscles that extend your arm. Make sense??

 

Proper use of strength by way of the triceps and body mechanics or ki/life energy??.

[Kensai]

Personnally I think it is a mixutre of both.

 

Take Care.