Does where you practice make a significant difference?

[seasoned]

If you're not practicing in the secret temple after dark... is there really any point in practicing?

Great point. The way you train is the way you will react, for real. Americans love to spar, Okinawans not so much.

 

[Oily Dragon]

Great point. The way you train is the way you will react, for real. Americans love to spar, Okinawans not so much.

OH seagull...stop it now.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Where you train matters. How much depends what you're training, probably. Having good basic equipment (things like heavy bags) is important. Being able to train on a regular basis is important, which is where an indoor space has an edge in most places. Having proper flooring for taking falls and such is vital, where that is part of the training. Storage is super helpful if you have an assortment of equipment, but I've managed without it, except for storing the mats.

Mirrors can be helpful (some students have terrible proprioception, and are better at correcting when they can actually see what's going on), but far from vital. I'd say they are helpful to me less than 10% of the time with about 10% of students, so about 1% helpful. So, worth having, but not a deal breaker, by any stretch - I've taught both with and without them. I actually find a wall of mirrors is distracting to some students, so I prefer just a few off to one side.

I’m with you on this. One back corner mirror, thats it.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

After training for over thirty years in a Korean system, I found the mirrors very helpful, but when I began studying Tai Chi, and eventually could do the Yang 24, I found that mirrors and a good wood floor weren't doing it for the feel, and focus. When I took what I was learning focus and and balance began to improve, and I started feeling the postures and flow. I also began to beware of my surroundings, which worked out well until night I spooked a big blue heron feeding by the bridge. In stead of doing "repulse the monkey", I did a first class "run from the birdie"!!!

Lol! There was a blue heron in the field by my house today.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I have done forms in the park, in the break room at work, and 30' underwater.

30 ft? Scuba kata? Cousteau would be proud.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

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I should clarify, I am not against them, I simply do not use them..... I have however broken 2....playing indoor soccer in my first sifu's guan

Ah, I see you've trained with "Golden Leg" Fung as well.

 

[bill miller]

Lol! There was a blue heron in the field by my house today.

Watch Out!!! Those are some devilish, sneaky critters!

 

[Xue Sheng]

Ah, I see you've trained with "Golden Leg" Fung as well.

Yes it is wear I learned the final soccer game is war.....which is why mirrors got broken