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Les Bubka
Les Bubka's picture
Fearless Asymmetry

Hi All,

Just came across this article on FB, I like it so I thought that you might too.

https://mountain-dojo.com/2018/05/23/fearless-asymmetry/

Kind regards,

Les

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

That’s an interesting article. I agree with the central premise that we need to work with our asymmetry; and I believe this is reflected in the kata due to the strong right-hand bias exhibited (the cultural assumption of the times believing everyone “should” be righthanded).

While we should work to develop techniques on both sides, there is no doubt that our inbuilt nature means that, although we can improve on both sides, they will never be equal (the exception being people who are naturally ambidextrous). We should also seek to work in accordance with our natural proclivities in combat; not against them.

The one caveat would be not to favour one side so much that it becomes unnatural i.e. the muscular development on one side of the body is markedly different from the other. I know plenty of judo players who fought and trained righthanded for decades only to find this lead to an asymmetrical muscular structure that caused postural problems and pain later on in life.

The price for asymmetrical development will not have been a issue for our ancestors because they did not live long enough for it to be come an issue. People are now living twice as long as they did a couple of hundred years ago. We therefore need to factor longevity in to the equation too; such that our natural biases do not become unnatural imbalances.  

All the best,

Iain

Les Bubka
Les Bubka's picture

Hi Iain,

I agree we canot sacrifice all round balance for performance, as you say it ends up in health issues.

Kind regards

Les