This week’s T.I. comes straight from Karate College 2019 in Radford, VA. See pics at right.

SNAKE, FISH, DOG, OWL: TRAINING INVOLUTION #163

The single most effective martial arts maneuver is running away. Not literally running, but getting the heck out of Dodge City, evading, hitting the road, saying bye-bye. A martial artist should be able to move. And when the situation is over, be able to sit still.

Set timer for 7 x 4:00 mins, no breaks.

Rounds 1 & 2: Warm up thoroughly. Light to moderate activity, low-key calisthenics like Jumping Jacks, Push-ups on knees, Crunches, maybe some low-intensity Jumping Rope, etc.
Round 3: Slither free like a snake. Get your floor bag or grappling dummy and start wrestling.¹ Back Bridge it, Neck Bridge it, and Reverse it. Squeeze, throw, and flip it. Stand it up on end and practice your Shots against it, etc. No striking — just wrestling — and no breaks longer than a 12-count.
Round 4: Swim away like a fish. If you have access to a body of water, swim as fast as you can. If you don’t, get on the floor and do a dry swim. Alternate between Prison Push-ups, Swimmers, and Flutter Kicks. When you gas, take 12-count breaks in Elbow Plank position.
Round 5: Run away like a dog. Cover as much distance as you can in 4 minutes.
Round 6: Walk it off for 4 minutes. Get your heartbeat down to normal.
Round 7: Watch like an owl. Now assume your posture of choice — seiza, lotus, half-lotus, cross-legged, sit in a chair, or have a seat in the grass and lean back against a tree. Spend 4 minutes just sitting. Don’t judge, don’t fantasize, don’t evaluate, don’t plan. Just sit. This is how the owl gets wise — by paying attention.
———————————————————————————-
¹ There’s no excuse for a martial artist not having a floor bag. Buy a used bag on Craigslist for $10 or make one.