9781422286708

M A R T I A L A R T S F O R A T H L E T I C C O N D I T I O N I N G

When training, let common sense be your guide. For example, if you want to train outdoors, choose firm land that is sheltered from the wind. Training is best done in the morning, when the body and mind are rested, but you should train at the time that works best for you. Avoid training on a full stomach, as this can lead to problems. However, a light meal or snack before training is fine. The Chinese do not encourage the display of the human body, in part for moral reasons, and also because of health concerns. When training, you should wear loose-fitting clothing, such as a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or tracksuit. When training outdoors, wear clothing that is appropriate to the season, layering in cold weather so that you can remove and replace layers as your body warms up and cools down. You can train either barefoot or wearing flat-soled cloth slippers that give the foot some basic protection while providing a firm footing. Avoid wearing training shoes with thick soles. They will prevent you from feeling the ground beneath your feet. Avoid running shoes as well, as these are designed for stability while jogging or running, and provide little or no lateral support. As you proceed in your chosen art, your fitness will improve as a natural consequence of performing the techniques correctly. This not only includes strength, stamina, and flexibility, but also the other skills mentioned, such as balance, coordination, and agility. And there is one more thing that the Chinese call qi , or chi . According to this philoso- phy, chi is the force that animates the cosmos; without chi, there would be no life. A full understanding of the martial arts is not possible with- out an appreciation of the concept of chi.

12