Right on Point
Steve - A wonderfully lucid exposition concerning certain elements of skill acquisition in SPM. It is refreshing to read a pure content post.
If I may, I would like to expand on a couple of your points. Doi-chong training is kept to a minimum for a number of reasons firmly grounded in human kinesiology among other models.
Specifically, the loading of the lever as it changes angle is far too slow to have much in the way of real world skill transfer.
Additionally, because of the relative slow speed of movement the stabilizers of the attending joints are required to activate and operate at levels, both in intensity of contraction and duration, that in no way approximates real world requirements.
This unreal arrangement carries over into the antagonistic muscle groups as well.
Therefore, prolonged doi-chong training creates and reinforces neurological patterns that are impediments to skill acquisition from practice. The doi-chong patterns are an impediment in that at any juncture in the paths that interfaces, parallels, or crosses the practiced skill based movement path a node of dissonance exists.
There is a splitting of the desired pathway signal or a drop in amplitude of the signal traveling the desire pathway as some energy is expended over riding the doi-chong signal.
The above was well known to the ancients who expressed it in the nomenclature unique to their time, culture and art. For those of us not born to this heritage there are some western science models that prove useful for determining our practice and training schedules.
Your use of the “Battle Computer” model is also an excellent choice. We humans have the capacity to “auto” or “self-correct” across a broad spectrum if we have access to the right information. It is through repeated exposure to incoming forces that we are able to intelligently and correctly select out what works best for us as individuals.
This is a far cry from the eclectic and comports perfectly with the traditional.
There are many possible solutions within SPM to the problem(s) presented by any incoming force. At least in part, the solution sets define a given Pai.
Specifically, each SPM Pai have structures arranged in some order of priority or preference that correctly accounts for a given force. The order or priority speaks to the tactical wedded to the technical aspects of the system.
The task in part is to engage in repeated bouts of non-cooperative contact in order to discover what within the solution set best fits the individual’s genetic, emotional and psychological make-up. It is, after all, martial ART, and not martial CRAFT. IMO, freedom of creative self-expression is the standard for determining skill level, not a goal.
IMO, an additional element that needs to be present is the real threat, or potential, for injury. Setting the Psycho-Emotional stage is critical as the ability to successfully navigate through the often cited “adrenaline dump” is a learned behavior.
Contrary to some New Agers extinguishing or becoming desensitized to this response is not the right way to go about it. IMO, becoming “acclimatized” is the desired outcome as the tremendous surge of strength and power is an ally I always like to have with me in battle.
Finally, from a systemic perspective, in the absence of repeated exposure to real, or near real, world speed and distance of encounter there is no way for the human form to become accustomed to the often times chaotic and rapid movement patterns associated with real world conflict.
The “Battle Computer” model you employ has the same caveat as any computer system, namely, GIGO.
It is a shaping process and the sooner one is properly prepared to set foot on this path the better.
