1 Inch Punching Your Way Through Life
Using the secret of the most iconic move in martial arts to live better
There are a few things you should know about this short-range punch: It's not all that useful in actual combat. More of a magic trick than a real technique, the core principle it's getting at is still extremely important, and that is the principle of knowing when to be tense and when to be relaxed.
Crashing Like Water
If you've watched any Bruce Lee interview clips, it probably came from his interview with Pierre Berton. In it, he discusses the concept of being like water. "Water can flow, or it can crash." The question then becomes, "when to crash?" According to the extreme short-range strike, it's right before impact. Before that, you’re better served by being loose, as looseness, like a whip, gathers more speed and builds speed, helping you land with that much more force.
If you watch his punch, Bruce does exactly this. He is 100% relaxed as he gets himself into position. Then when it’s time to hit, he recruits his whole body, then uses his hand to become a tense fist and then “crashing through” the body of his volunteer.
Tension and Relaxation as a key to life
We can take a page out of Bruce Lee’s book even if we don’t practice martial arts. The idea is that you don’t have to be tense about upcoming projects or life issues. Instead, be someone who doesn’t think much about it. Easier said than done, to be sure, but the great thing about the arena of life is you don’t have to go it alone. Immerse yourself in time with friends, get a therapist or a masseuse, and all-around relax before you have to crunch. When that time comes, throw your whole body into it and go fast.
As I said, there’s a lot that goes into this punch. Impressive as the punch itself may seem, there’s a way to avoid flying backwards when being hit with one of them. More next week!