When I trained in Japan, relaxation was a primary concept or principle that was taught. Many Karate practitioners (and those of other styles) tend to rely too much on muscular tension to get technique to work. There is nothing wrong with developing strength (in the right way), but relaxation will allow your technique to be both efficient and effective. This is especially true in joint locks. In Ryukyu Kempo of Oyata Seiyu’s lineage, we refer to joint locking & grappling techniques as Tuite-jutsu. In Japanese, techniques of joint locking are often referred to as Kansetsu Waza. Waza means technique. Even in striking motions, you will be more efficient and fluid if you are relaxed. I’ve seen many examples of Tuite-jutsu and one of the most common “errors” is to raise and tense one’s shoulders. Excessive tension should be in the opponent’s joint, not yourself. Learn to “dump” your weight into the opponent using relaxation coupled with proper technique. When you hit, let the energy enter the target and don’t hold onto tension after contact/impact is made. The natural weight of your limbs and body can deliver a good amount of force through the opponent, if you learn how to relax. Sometimes it may be difficult to learn to relax, but this was important in my training in Japan. Also, Oyata Sensei (and some of his students – who have been my teachers) would often tell people to relax. In Tuite, we are taught to “remove slack” from the opponent. Doing this in the joints can give the technician a greater handle to the opponent’s whole body. One of my teachers likened this concept (of connecting to a person’s center of gravity through the limbs) to a chain, where you twist one chain link and eventually the whole chain rolls over. So, remember to relax in your Tuite-jutsu training; and not only that, but in your striking practice as well. If you tighten up in training, you’ll be even tighter in a real self-defense situation, so avoid excessive tension in your training. Relax and enjoy the process!
