First, this is part of my New Year’s resolution–to have a blog entry at least once a month this year. So January, check…

This is more an observation on the steps in learning a form.… distinct steps that I never consciously recognized when I was learning forms, but ones that are quite obvious now that I’m observing other learn. I classify the learning process into the following steps:

1. Motion
2. Action
3. Sequence
4. Memory
5. Elaboration

The first step is learning the motion. Here the student learns the general movements. It may be, let’s say, a simple block and kick. Initially these items aren’t performed with any specific target or focus. They’re just following the motion of the form.

The second step is learning the moves. Here the block and kick become distinct actions for specific purpose. The block and kick become blocking a punch to the face and kicking to the inner thigh. This continues for each set of moves within the form until the student, either through explicit instructions or through their own understanding , begins to associate each set of movements with some purpose and action. At this time, the student will have a set of movements, pause or hesitate between each sets of movements, but will eventually get through the form.

The third step is sequence. This is adding of the smoothness to the second step. This is almost transitional between Action and Muscle Memory. Here the student has learned a significant portion of the form and can do it without pausing. I generally find some students do pause once in a while, but it seems many times this is that they’re gaining some insight that they’re thinking about (at least that’s what I prefer to believe).

The fourth step is memory. This is where the form has been ingrained in the students mind and they can do it without thinking about the basic movement. Here is where I find that the most progress is made on the subtleties of the form. The proper emphasis, the proper hip movement, etc.

The final step is elaboration. This is taking what they have learning and being able to apply it to different situations. Here the block and kick can also become a push and a trip. The students are able to explore the form and find the hidden applications… truly making what they have learned their own.