The Art of One

Hello so I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of just trying to master one technique. I have realize with how long I have been doing kung fu, I have had the great opportunity to do such a task. The thing about practicing one technique is that you get to see the intricacy of the move and how to make the technique become yours. When I speak of one technique I speak of moves like a horse stance, bow stance, thrust punch, and even push ups.
  I have practice just those techniques before, for maybe a week or two then I revisit them later. So a more off and on thing, but every time I revisit them I learn something new, and work harder to make them better. Whenever I practice these one moves I see sometime my timing is slightly off, or my intent has need to be more engaged, or my phrasing of the move it just not quite right. I learn these moves have to work for my body; while also using proper technique. I learn where the power comes from and why we apply our techniques the way we do. It is like going to the dictionary to look up a word you don't know, then you read what it means, then you find a unique way for yourself to remember the definition. When you figure a way to define it for yourself the word still means the same, but you now understand that word a lot better now that you studied it for a bit. 
  I can honestly say there is truly only one technique that I have been striving to master since I first learned the technique. That technique is the side heel thrust. When I first learned it I fell in love with the kick. One was because to me it looked the coolest. Two even when I was the worst student ever it was always the one thing I actually put effort into try and look the best in my class. Then when I returned to kung fu it was the first thing I started to perfect once again. Through the years of learning and trying to understand and master the side heel thrust, I realize I still have a long way to go before I have mastered the kick. I have learned so much about this one kick, even which muscle areas that help improve the kick if you make those muscles stronger. I truly love learning more all the time about this kick and I strive to be the best at this one technique.
  A huge but though even though I have spend so much time to master and understand all of these techniques I did not ignore the rest of my techniques if anything studying just one helped me improve others. The art of one is truly powerful if you put the time and effort into it.


Sifu Langner