Niels Bohr - Master of Go no sen ?

General discussions on Wado Ryu karate and associated martial arts.
Tim49
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Re: Niels Bohr - Master of Go no sen ?

Post by Tim49 »

go rin no sho wrote:This is propably not the same thing and I am not sure if should deal archery here.... However, I think that to some extent archery share similar mind settings than wado.....

I found a little bit similar reaction-phenomenon in archery. I usually train with conventional, unmovable arcehry targets. I shoot instinctively (no aiming aids or other technical devices)

When I train my aim is to group arrows tight and try to lessen the percentage of bad shots. When I train I am not trying to hit the bull´s eye every time because I train for hunting and hitting very small spots is irrelevant. More important is to be able to shoot sponaneously and consistently groups small enough. One day I was practising in my backyard I realized an interesting thing. I was able to shoot accurately only to a certain point. After a four or five rounds my groups started to "spread" all over the target. I thought that I just lost my concentration for that day. ( it happens often) =) How wrong I was .... While I became highly frustrated I placed a tennis ball hanging in a line from the branch of a tree. Then I pushed the ball to swing. I picked my bow and walked back to shoot "for fun".. To my wonder, first arrow flew through the air and hit straight to the ball. I was sure it was pure luck. It can´t happen again. I was wrong - again

I was able to hit the ball most of the time. Finally I practiced for two hours and missed only a few arrows. I was amazed!!! What just happened ??? Afterwards I concluded that it was because I had no time to "build the aiming process" with conscious muscle work. I think my body was only responding to an action. That left me thinking that there are two modes of control. The first is conscious - the other is subconsious. Obviously, conscious control mode (aqcuired/practiced) tries to suppress the subconscious (innate hand eye coordination) control that has been programmed deep inside us in the processes of evolution. In this sense - practice and muscle work in instinctive archery is important but only to to a certain point. I came to a conclusion that I shouldn´t try to control my shooting too much. My body works fine if I let it respond without me interfering all the time =)

A fellow archer from Finland has a remarkable ability to shoot instinctively:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9qFhOvzy0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwtqRFCOzyI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lhm0jE ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0_4pCCg ... re=related
Many years ago I was involved in competitive rifle shooting. I recognised the same phenomena. Some of it I put down to over-calculation and a resulting build up of tension which sometimes lead to indecisiveness, hence things fell apart and shots went wide.

Over-calculation can be a killer.

Tim
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Re: Niels Bohr - Master of Go no sen ?

Post by wadoka »

Relating it all to the world of business, doing presentations has never been a favourite thing of mine but over time as I become more comfortable and knowledgable on the subjects and practice really does improve things.

Having the snazziest graphics and software counts for nothing.

When you know your stuff, the confidence is there and you are able to flex like a willow as it goes along. Like all things it is down to renshu and keiko.
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