THE SPACES IN BETWEEN

 by Phillip Starr

There is a saying that tell us, “The music is not in the notes, but the silence in between.” This is a very profound statement that can apply not only to music, but to martial arts as well. In your forms there are spaces between the various postures. Some are larger than others, but they're there, nonetheless. And they're not empty.

Take a close look at them, one by one; exactly where are your hands placed? Where is your weight held? The position of the hips and feet? Just what is the application of the posture you've just completed? In what position is your opponent following that application?

Many of the old masters who created our forms were real big on the concept of “implied.” Oftentimes, the primary technique or a follow-up technique is IMPLIED within the so-called “empty space” but it can be found ONLY if your hands, feet, hips, and all the rest are in exactly the proper position. If those position(s) are altered by someone who doesn't possess a complete understanding of the form, the “implied” techniques and their subsequent applications are lost.

Oftentimes, only the “entry” to the intended technique is shown. The rest is implied. Why is this? I believe the reason(s) are twofold:

*It ensured that only those who were devoted students would find them. Students who were interested only in learning how to fight quickly would never find them. Finding them isn't easy and requires a good deal of work and practice.

*It also helped “camoflouge” the real techniques of the system. People who might spy on the training would never see them and it helped keep the true art hidden from the view of unworthies.

So...are you truly a devoted practitioner? Do you consider yourself worthy enough to learn the whole art? If the answer to these questions is “yes”, then you've got some work ahead of you...