The first time sparring for anyone is a rather special event in the sense that it tends to leave a lasting impression, heavily influencing the way sparring is approached from that point forward.

Assuming the sparring session was done in a safe environment with a safety conscious partner, the most common feeling one is left with immediately following a session is an intense drain of energy and lack of air.

Naturally, the question that usually follows is, “How can I improve my endurance?”

Increasing endurance for sparring is a simple concept, but like most things in Jeet Kune Do, simple is not necessarily easy!

There are two major categories of elements that highly influence how one feels before, during, and after sparring:

1. Emotional
2. Physical

The emotional aspect is one that is often overlooked, but the fact of the matter is that the activity between your ears plays a major factor determining whether you float like a butterfly . . . or not.

Just to mention briefly some of the cascading emotion driven factors, excitation (Epinephrine driven) will give a short boost of energy (among other things) then quickly follow by a system crash that manifests itself as extreme tiredness and symptoms of shock.  The unfocused mind tends to go into a supercharged ramble of nonsense while a hyperactive state of alertness and reactivity not only tax the processing load on the brain, but also send a jumble of conflicting, energy consuming messages to the muscles.

This is where the mental/emotional/spiritual training in martial arts becomes critical.  Rather than being controlled by our emotions, we can harness that force to increase power, awareness, endurance, reflexes, precision, etc., culminating in an overall boost in effectiveness.

Two factors that I have found extremely useful in harnessing “emotional content” are experience and being in the moment.  Experience helps to tone down the overreaction that comes with engaging the unknown.  Being in the moment is an exercise that lightens the mental and psychological load by tightening the focus to what is relevant and present rather than spending energy on the past, future, or simply that which is inconsequential.

The progressive reactive drills we practice in class are excellent for developing this focus by beginning with a single controlled element and slowly expanding to more, all while developing a combat specific physical intelligence.

The key to this form of training is letting go and allowing yourself to truly feel, and consequently express . . . which is precisely why it is so challenging.

To be free from one’s own self imposed doubts, fears, restrictions, etc., is our greatest challenge.  As Bruce Lee said “To express oneself honestly . . . not lying to oneself . . . is very difficult to do — and you have to train.  You have to keep your reflexes so that when you want it — it’s there!  When you want to move, you are moving, and when you move, you are determined to move. . . to become one with it.”

Look for part 2 of this post soon, where I will discuss the physical elements of increasing endurance and stamina for sparring.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com