Sharon Friedman – Vigilance and Tranquility

To deal with strikes to the head you have to move as one. Start by moving each other while standing and walking about. Push the head jently and the partner will move his body as one piece to move with the force. Than Relax the neck and let the head ride the waves of hits as they come as the shoulders and chest move together to chanel the movement with the head. You can also work on head butting but remember it is more important to be able to take a hit than to strike hard. Another exercise that will eliminate a lot of tension in this area and allow for better movement is hitting using the chest and shoulders. Place your arms at the back and if you can hold the forearms paralel to the ground together and now hit each other chest to chest one at a time. Vary the hight and direction according to what you feel is right for the moment and breath. Once you do than stand one infront of each other and hit one at a time chest to back and back to chest. This will give you the feeling of being hit without seeing it coming and you will be able to get over the fear and bracing (tensing up) we do out of fear. Don’t overdo it of course. the aim is to learn. After you do this do some free chest back and shoulders strikes with each other and mind the relaxation and going with your breath so you remain healthy and free. Shake your arms and start to hit each other again in the neck and head and note if you are moving differently now. It is a good lesson on it’s own. don’t over relax the jaw as you do the work. It will break. Another note is to move without stopping or waiting for the other guy to make his move. Be free from this stopage in your movement and allow the others to learn this as well. The better the people you learn with the more you will learn yourself.