Check your gauges
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by Emmanuel Manolakakis
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Our bodies are equipped with countless hidden gauges, providing us with critical information on our well being. All too often we ignore them.
Imagine a race car driver ignoring his speedometer and tachometer - instruments vital to the success and safe operation of his vehicle. Ignoring
them would not fare well for the driver and vehicle.
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I often see people ignoring they’re bodies speedometer and tachometer while training. This results in sloppy and careless work, while also leaving
them out of breath.
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Watch the hands and feet of those that have mastered this system - they are in complete control of their speed, power and breathing. There are
many simple things you can do to start to build this awareness and understanding for yourself.
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How to begin…
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1.
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Sit or lie quietly with your eyes closed.
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2.
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Inhale through your nose and make your body completely (100%) tense for 10 seconds.
Exhale through your mouth and make you body completely (100%) relaxed for 10 seconds.
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3.
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Inhale through your nose and make your body (50%) tense for 10 seconds.
Exhale through your mouth and make you body (50%) relaxed for 10 seconds.
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4.
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Inhale through your nose and make your body (25%) tense for 10 seconds.
Exhale through your mouth and make you body (25%) relaxed for 10 seconds.
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5.
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Repeat with push-ups, squats, leg / body raises.
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* Similar things can be done with speed and breathing, just remember to stay focused on what you are developing. It becomes easy to cheat
so have a friend watch you or videotape yourself.
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When you’re ready, apply this during training.
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1.
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As your partner grabs, punches, kicks or stabs – Use a 100% of your effort to put them down. Be careful.
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2.
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As your partner grabs, punches, kicks or stabs – Use 50% of your effort to put them down.
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3.
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As your partner grabs, punches, kicks or stabs – Use 25% of your effort to put them down.
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* Feedback is critical, so talk to your partners. Ask them if they felt any difference in the work? Look at the difference in your partners reactions?
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What I find useful with this work:
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1.
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It allows me to explore one of the key principles in Systema; ‘Using the least amount of effort to control a situation’. By working with minimal
effort it allows me to limit the disturbance and irritation to my own and partners psyche.
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2.
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Gives me the option of hiding my abilities; something that you might find necessary in certain situations.
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3.
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It allows me to focus on what needs to be done rather than what I want to do.
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