Question: Sifu, would you say some of these exercises are similar to what I’ve already been doing? Obviously your exercises are more detailed than mine, but is the idea to make a habit of recognizing our surroundings in greater detail?

My answer: Yes, the exercises are similar. The only difference is that I am asking students to be aware in the moment, rather than at the end of the day. Here’s why I’ve asked students to do this:

At the end of the day, many of us will pick a moment in time when we remember the most information – because this was a point in time when we were “aware”, and that is good. However, the moments we were unaware – where, for example, we were FOCUSED on an important text message from a friend or family member on our cell phone (i.e. we had partial tunnel vision and auditory exclusion) and then someone tapped us on the shoulder and surprised us – many of us will not pick these moments because our memories will be “fuzzy” and best. Plus, we have no way of verifying or validating what we remembered or missed.

The reason I am asking people to be aware in the moment, and have a friend record the event on tape, is because one’s true level of awareness can be evaluated at the end of the day – today, tomorrow, next week and next year. In other words, if there was something we DID pick up on, the tape will show it. If there was something we DID NOT pick up on, the tape will show this as well.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe our memories can accomplish the same objectives as a camcorder and a friend.

Does that make sense?

Good training to you,

Roy Harris

—

Follow up remark: Makes perfect sense. I think the exercises I was doing before you enlightened me just helped get in the habit of CONSTANTLY evaluating and assessing my surroundings. Obviously, it’s not perfect but I think it did give me a mindset of consciously recognizing moments. But I will definitely work on it your way as well….it can only help. BTW….can’t wait to train with you again!

Thanks Sifu!!!

—

Here’s another exercise:

EXERCISE SIX

Get a training partner. Both of you put on your boxing gloves, mouth pieces and groin protectors (if both of you are males). Spar with your partner, lightly (30% speed and power). Keep the sparring to four simple tools: 2 pre-determined punches and 2 pre-determined kicks. I recommend a jab and a cross, and a lead leg round kick and rear leg round kick.

Here’s how the sparring should go:

Week one

Each round should be two minutes long.
Rounds 1-3, you’ll cast your “clear” vision wherever you want.
Rounds 4-6, you’ll cast your “clear” vision on his lead knee or foot.
Rounds 7-9, you’ll cast your “clear” vision ten feet to the left.

Rounds 1-3 will be like your normal sparring. In other words, you’ll look wherever you want.

Rounds 4-6 will be different. All you’ll be able to do is stare at your training partner’s lead knee or foot. This will force you to use you “blurry” vision to see the rest of his body. By using your blurry vision to watch your training partner, you will develop more confidence with it.

Rounds 7-9 will be the most difficult. Instead of using your eyes the way you want to, you will be forced to keep your eyes at least 10 feet away from your training partner. This will force you to FOCUS on your blurry vision. With time, you will feel more and more confident using your blurry vision. Additionally, you will see more and more details with it!

Week two

Each round should be two minutes long.
Rounds 1-6, you’ll cast your “clear” vision on his lead knee or foot.
Rounds 7-9, you’ll cast your “clear” vision ten feet to the left.

Week three

Each round should be two minutes long.
Rounds 1-9, you’ll cast your “clear” vision on his lead knee or foot.

As your training progresses, increase the intensity 40%, 70% and 90% speed and power.

Next, lower the intensity back to 30% and add more tools (e.g. Two more punches, two more kicks and an entry and a takedown or throw – as well as the defenses to these additional techniques).

Next, increase the intensity (40%, 70% and 90% speed and power) with these additional tools.

The goal of this training is to develop the higher levels awareness. Remember, the lower levels of awareness involve focus / attention (i.e. the use of your clear vision).

Give these six drills a try (over the course of 90 days) and let me know what you discover. I am positive your awareness levels will increase two-fold!

Good training to you,

Roy Harris