Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

When you train in martial arts at some point you will hear the phrase "slow is smooth. Smooth is fast." When training in Taekwondo I would often practice my forms slowly to fine tune my technique and find those spots where my balance was off. In practicing kenjutsu kata we go slow so we can feel what is happening. When are we displacing our partner? Are we balanced throughout the technique? During sensitivity drills we go slow and soft so we can "feel into" our training partner. In time, this slow, smooth movement becomes fast because we learn to do less and be sensitive. But I think going slow isn't just physical technique. It is not wanting/trying to move up the ranks quickly or "getting " a technique quickly. This thought process can lead to rushing through techniques and frustration because you "can't make it work." Ultimately this attitude can impair our progress. I know i am guilty of this at times myself. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic.

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