I have been having a lot more success in Judo lately.  I feel more confident, and I feel more relaxed.  I think this picture is a really good representation of what I have changed in my technique, and why it has helped.

In the picture you see rocks.  A lot of rocks piled together in a seeming impenetrable mass.  But then we see that impenetrable mass being penetrated.  The slow moving stream flows through the rocks effortlessly.  Imagine if you will, that instead of trickling water, that this was some solid object trying to move the stones.  The force needed would be immense.  But because the water looks for openings and gentle fills the empty spaces, it cannot be stopped.

This is a lesson not only in the fact that we should be like water, and relax enough to identify openings and take them, but it is perhaps even more so a lesson in not being a stone.  When we try to use sheer strength, and our force to resist or push against something, that very rigidity makes us susceptible.  When I have someone on the ground in a pin, I often have to remind myself not to rely on strength too much.  If I lock and and squeeze I force myself to be rigid, and tie by body to theirs.  This make me much easier to bridge and roll over.  If I am somewhat pliable, and aways reacting to their moves, then I find I have much more success.

This seems to be true mentally and tactically as well.  When I step into Randori, and know exactly what move I intend to hit, and push hard to hit it, I often get countered.  When I relax and move, looking for openings I tend to do much better.

It seems to be a weird, self fulfilling cycle… Confidence helps you relax.  Relaxing helps you perform.  Performing helps build your confidence.  I think the real skill is to be able to relax even when you’re not confident… even when things go wrong or you get frustrated.

Anyway, my two cents on why  think I’m doing better

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