“A rigid, inflexible way of thinking prevents us from adapting to unpredictable situations, whether in fighting or in daily life.”
Hard tree branches may seem sturdy, but they can break easily.
Softer branches, like those of a willow tree, are much less likely to break.
The same applies to us humans.
For example, our bodies. A body rigid with muscle may seem strong, but without flexibility, it’s prone to injury.
The same is true for our minds.
A rigid, inflexible way of thinking prevents us from adapting to unpredictable situations, whether in fighting or in daily life.
Furthermore, while stiff body movements can be caused by a lack of physical flexibility or poor overall body coordination, mental factors play a more significant role.
Extremely nervous, lack of confidence, panic, fear, and anger cause excessive tension in the body, resulting in stiff movements.
People who are always angry may appear strong and tough, but in reality, their minds are fragile and easily broken.
Lack of mental flexibility, lack of composure, and lack of confidence leads to quick anger.
People like this get bored or give up easily.
When I was still competing, I faced opponents like that several times.
I remember that as soon as they felt pain or fatigue, their angry expressions would quickly turn into a crying face, and they would give up the fight on their own.
To become flexible in both mind and body: first, maintain muscle flexibility by consistently stretching properly.
Make sure to keep your body relaxed not only when practicing martial arts techniques, but also in your daily life.
Always breathe slowly and deeply.
Always maintain a calm and flexible mindset.
And, in addition to fast, intense, and rigid training like fighting training and weight lifting, incorporate slow, soft, and gentle training, such as the “Tanden breathing exercise (丹田呼吸法)” that I advocate.
Finally, one important point to remember.
Just because flexibility is important doesn’t mean you should forget to strengthen your muscles.
I remember my sensei, Shihan Aso, the founder of SAW. He was heavily muscled and incredibly powerful, but he was also incredibly flexible and could even do the splits.
The point is, a balance between strength and flexibility is essential.
