KEEPING YOUR VISION IN CHECK

by Emmanuel Manolakakis

While we have many senses, our sight seems to be the primary collector of information.

It is necessary to keep our vision in check by not rely on it too heavily. By improving all other senses, you can indirectly reduce the dominance that vision plays. This is a good thing when you consider it doesn't always give us a correct picture of things. By using your other senses, such as smell, touch, taste and hearing, you begin to become more aware of them and the information they convey. Take a look at how this information affects you and your decisions.

Here are some ideas for "visionless" training that I hope you will try. Start slowly, as your comfort and confidence grows, increase the level of difficulty.

Some example (eyes closed):

• Walk through your house.
• Try to guess what is on your dinner plate. I mean everything...
• Get in and out of your car.
• Go through the laundry and find specific clothes.
• Put the groceries away.
• Empty the dishwasher.
• Peel and apple, make sure not to leave any skin on.

Some RMA Training examples (eyes closed)

• Grab and escape.
• Take strikes, punches and kicks.
• Roll on the floor, stairs and hills.
• Take strikes from a weapon - stick and whip.
• Ground fighting.
• Knife fighting and defense.

There are thousands of ways of checking out your different senses - just be creative the benefits are remarkable.

Think of your six senses as radio stations - all you need to do is tune in.

Russian Martial Art Training Articles

by Emmanuel Manolakakis

• The Seven Principles Of Systema Breathing
• Consider Your Partner
• Laugh At Yourself
• Stick To It!
• Five Monkeys
• Shoulders To Consider
• Youth And Systema
• Check Your Gauges
• The Distance
• Multiple Attackers
• Working the Wall
• Rolls & Falls
• Non-Contact Training
• Training The Legs
• The Squat
• Get Focused
• Give Yourself A Mission
• Precision
• Keeping Your Vision In Check
• Russian Martial Arts Training Tips

For more articles and current posts please see: FC Connect
For articles on Spetsnaz training and history see: Spetsnaz - Soviet Special Forces