Thursday Technique: Communication, Community, and Emotional Intelligence (Plus Some Martial Arts)

It is ironic that in the much-awaited Age of Communication, there are concerns that children who were born surrounded by digital technology are failing at basic communication. Research conducted in 2014 by Hampton et al., along with other ongoing observations, concludes that virtual interactions, minus any body language and facial expressions, hinder our ability to understand and empathize with others beyond shallow wading in the lake of connection. Nonverbal cues, an integral part of physical interaction, provide context and emotional depth. But what does any of this have to do with combat and martial arts?

Community and Communication in Digital Reality

Some ancient beliefs speak of the concept of the world as “Maya”, an illusion, a concept adopted into many belief systems in one form or another. So, if the material world is an illusion masking reality by way of various filters and interpretations, how far removed from reality is digital life?

Social psychologists seem to agree that, although digital connections have opened up the possibility for communication with even more people across the globe, it has become a matter of quantity over quality. Daily interactions composed of text speak, emojis, and likes allow you to stay connected…but without any of the depth of actual connection.

Additional studies have hinted at a strong correlation between social media use and anxiety, depression, and loneliness as well as a sense of inadequacy and disconnection from “real life”.

Why?

Possibly because you are only shown competitive lifestyles. Also, you stay in a bubble of people who agree with you and do not present any challenge to your perspective of the world. We agree to exist in an “echo chamber” that stifles growth and validates staying stuck in a limited way of being.

How to Foster Communication and Understanding

One way to enhance and rebuild a greater sense of understanding and community is to engage with others outside of the digital realm. Traditional institutions like schools, churches, and social organizations, even if limited in their ability to provide diverse perspectives outside their focus, still offer an opportunity to engage in person with other people who have different histories, life circumstances, and perspectives than you. If you feel really bold, you can talk to people from a completely different religion, culture, social status, or age group – someone who you seemingly have nothing in common with!

Physical Activity and Community

When you meet with a group for a common purpose like tai chi, yoga, FIIT, or martial arts for example, you are part of a community that exists to help, challenge, and strengthen each other. You may not share the same beliefs. Many will have different goals and reasons for being there, and knowing and understanding each person’s unique reason is a bonus, but unnecessary.

When a group of people meet in a supportive yet challenging atmosphere… that is a community!

Communication is essential in martial arts training. You are actively listening to your instructor. When training with a partner, you communicate verbally, but you also tap or make noise to let them know if they are hurting you. You must also be aware of your partner’s verbal and physical cues. If they are unable to tap out or you missed it, or maybe they just haven’t been trained to know and express their limits, then body and facial expressions can be the crucial factor that tells you to stop. This type of training nurtures both communication skills and respect.

Combat Communication

In many combat training situations, you are engaged in a technique that puts you in control of another person’s body. For instance, imagine a takedown of any kind (joint lock, hip throw…). These can get really messy if your body isn’t communicating with your partner’s/opponent’s. If your technique is weak or sloppy, then the partner’s body doesn’t know where to go or what to do. Poor communication results in greater injury.

The “Push Hands” Drill

Push- hands is a technique widely used across various martial arts disciplines as a partner drill. It involves grounding yourself in a solid stance and directing force towards a partner while they simultaneously “push” back. In the drill, you are directing and redirecting force . The drill promotes awareness of your own body and stability, stance, and weaknesses as well as those of your partner. The activity also has associations with the principles of yin and yang, energy transfer, knowing when and how to advance or recede.

Push-hands is an excellent practice for strengthening body awareness and non-verbal communication. Here are a few variations:

https://youtu.be/EHEUkj8F_pM?si=fj28oxOckb0O1jBy

https://youtu.be/Q-N41SuAJRg?si=LB18UNuhUeCXhxu3

If you would like to learn more about training, strengthening communication, or if you are just curious about the martial arts community, you can contact us through sammabenevolentsociety.org or email our volunteers directly at sammabenevolentsociety@gmail.com.