Pandemic Solo Training? Hell, yes, it can be done!

While it is true that FMAs are geared toward partner training, there are also tons of solo training possibilities during this pandemic. Forms and stick shadowboxing (carenza) come to mind. However, I have more than those two exercises in mind.

Let’s backtrack here. Like everyone else, we have been in a state of limbo since March 2020. Ontario went into a hard lockdown from March to August, successfully crushing the pandemic curve. The economy was re-opened in stages beginning in August 2020. As readers of this blog know, I taught private lessons from September to December in the garage. At the same time, I taught online Zoom classes for students in Ottawa, four hours from me.

I have been doing some solo training between private lessons and Zoom classes. Most of it focused on stick fighting combinations that I often taught in the Zoom classes.

The case numbers slowly rose again through the fall until Ontario had to impose restrictions on December 26th. A second wave occurred from January to the end of February when the government decided to ease up.

Unfortunately, we immediately entered a third wave, which resulted in the current stay-at-home order. It is supposed to expire on May 20th. I am betting it will be extended another two weeks or possibly longer. We’ll see.

Due to the restrictions, I have not taught live private lessons since December. I am still teaching four Zoom classes per week. In addition, I am also teaching private lessons via Zoom to a couple of clients in Ottawa.

You may recall that I published a video called “Attacking Combinations,” specifically designed for solo training.

Since I am currently not teaching live private lessons and focusing on Zoom sessions, I have expanded the number of solo training sequences from 30 to 95, using the “Attacking Combinations” platform. Yes, you read that right! The vast majority of the sequences are based on the tapi tapi (counter for counter) techniques of Modern Arnis. I have grouped these sequences and rotated them, group by group, during the week. Below is one example.

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

I will often explore sequence variations as I did in the above video. You’ll notice that I hit (a) the arm, (b) the check hand, and (c) the head. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with. Of course, I’m chomping to apply these sequences to live training partners once Ontario lifts the current lockdown. But I have to be patient!

Solo training sure as hell is not the same as live training. No way. But it’s a hell of a lot better than being a couch potato! These sequences engage the mind and are a great way to visualize various scenarios. When I execute these sequences, I imagine a skilled opponent. In doing so, I am focused instead of being “fuzzy.”

But I am ready to put this pandemic behind me and get on with live training! Are you?

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