Misunderstandings About Relaxation
In Tenshinryu, we emphasize the importance of relaxing and letting go of unnecessary tension. I have stressed this point in countless situations. However, mastering this concept—both understanding its true meaning and embodying it in practice—is exceedingly difficult. It is such a critical teaching that I can confidently say it can never be overexplained.
At its core, one major issue lies in the fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to relax or to let go of tension.
For example, there was a time I was teaching a disciple and cautioned them against relying on muscular strength. They remarked, “I thought Sensei’s movements generated instantaneous speed and power by fully engaging the muscles at the critical moment.” To help them understand how little muscle I was actually using, I had them touch my arm as I performed matatanuki (a swift sword draw). This allowed them to physically confirm the vast difference between their assumptions and the reality of body mechanics.
While physical movement inherently involves some use of muscles, the degree to which they are utilized is not something we consciously control. It is automatically optimized through proper movement. The key is to move correctly, swiftly, and with minimal muscle engagement, which allows the body to naturally find its optimal state.
By practicing movements correctly while simultaneously eliminating all tension—a seemingly contradictory process—it becomes possible to achieve a qualitative and functional transformation of movement that differs fundamentally from ordinary motion.
Key Aspects of Relaxation in Movement:
-
Eliminating unnecessary muscle use or strength that hinders natural movement.
-
Activating underutilized muscles (negative voluntary muscles) as needed, which most adults cannot consciously control.
-
Performing the most optimal movements with the most efficient sequence.
-
Strengthening muscles, bones, and nerves through these refined practices and training.
The culmination of these elements produces optimized movements that could be described as qualitatively and functionally transformed. While historical practitioners did not use such terms, they simply taught, “Relax,” or “Let go of your strength,” and drilled it relentlessly until it became second nature, even under the most stressful conditions.
If one relies solely on strength, muscles, or sheer momentum, no matter how much training they do, their movements will always fall short of the standard I demonstrate. Though such movements may appear similar to the untrained eye, they are fundamentally different to those with a discerning understanding, and the difference becomes unmistakable in actual combat.
This is why I can convincingly demonstrate my methods to martial artists worldwide, regardless of their physicality or experience.
That said, not everyone needs to aim for the pinnacle of mastery. However, pursuing qualitatively and functionally transformed movements makes progress significantly easier—a beneficial path for anyone.
Tension hinders control and serves as the greatest obstacle to properly learning form. Training rigorously in a manner that is fundamentally incorrect not only hampers improvement but can even lead to regression.
For instance, after intense training sessions, while other practitioners or participants may be utterly exhausted, I remain relatively unfatigued. This is not merely because I have higher stamina or more experience; it is because my movements are optimized for efficiency and energy conservation.
Even when dealing with injuries such as muscle soreness, strains, bruises, sprains, or fractures, my performance remains relatively unaffected. This is not due to innate physical talent but rather because my optimized movements minimize strain on injured areas while compensating with other parts of the body.
The True Nature of Relaxation
The phrase “using your whole body” is often casually thrown around, but in reality, even most professional athletes do not achieve this level. Most rely on building strength in specific areas of the body to enhance performance. Few athletes achieve comprehensive, balanced physical development across the entire body.
Similarly, the concept of “relaxing” or “letting go of tension” is often overused and misunderstood. Almost no one truly implements it. Common misconceptions include viewing relaxation as either a mere habit or as something that causes a departure from proper movement. These misunderstandings account for 99.999% of the world’s perception of relaxation.
Breaking free from such misconceptions and diligently training your body and muscles as described in Tenshinryu is the path to true relaxation.
The Image of Relaxation
In Tenshinryu, imagery plays a critical role. Many techniques are named to help practitioners visualize and embody their principles. Relaxation is no exception.
For instance, the arms may be imagined as willow branches swaying in the wind. However, for overall body relaxation, no such comprehensive image is traditionally mentioned.
Based on my observations, most people’s mental images of relaxation resemble a chaotic, shaken mixture. To guide beginners, I often recommend visualizing the body as melting into a honey-like, amoebic liquid state. This approach effectively promotes relaxation.
However, when combined with movement, this image can inadvertently slow down the practitioner. Simply “relaxing” becomes insufficient.
True relaxation is much more complex. It is akin to a parfait (A delicious dessert parfait) where different components exist distinctly yet harmoniously, ready to interchange or blend as necessary. It must maintain neutrality, avoiding the uncontrolled state of a chaotic mixture.
Relaxation is not about eliminating function, strength, or power; it is about fine-tuning and adjusting as needed. Because conscious control over muscle output is impossible, the focus must remain on performing correct movements that naturally minimize muscular exertion.
Essentials for Relaxation
This principle applies not only to relaxation but to all aspects of learning: “Accept what you cannot do or understand.”
Many people struggle with this, and in today’s age, the habit of seeking immediate answers exacerbates the issue. This creates an aversion to “not knowing” or “not being able to do,” leading to a cycle of giving up before progress can even begin.
Since you are attempting something beyond your current ability, you must accept your limitations and keep practicing.
A study once concluded that true understanding only comes at a level of mastery, and any prior comprehension is merely an illusion of understanding. Explanations serve to guide and motivate, but they are not the essence of mastery. Until you can physically perform the movements, any understanding is superficial.
The inability to comprehend is natural. The critical mistake is wasting time overthinking when action is required.
By repeating the movements over and over, even without understanding, you pave the way to genuine improvement.
コメント