There’s just never enough hours to fit in everything we want to do, if the bossman (or woman) is making you work 27 hour days or if you just want an excuse to hone your skills a bit then this is the article for you!
Sensei Russell and Sensei Phil have been tube surfing to work out the best ways to help you hone your martial art skills whilst on the go!
1) Work on your balance skills.
The underground system, notorious for it’s winding track is ideal for you to practice your balance.. Start by standing holding on, lift up one foor, stand on one leg whilst holding on gently. Cconcentrate on keeping upright and not falling into your fellow passengers! Too easy? Try standing (both feet now on the floor though!) and don’t hold on… Can you keep your balance whilst the central line weaves to take you home?
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2) Boost your cardio.
Does the workout session leave you wishing you had a little more cardio fitness to see you through? Maybe you’ve missed a couple of sessions here at the Dojo. Well fear not! Sensei Russell and Phil’s no nonsense approach to boosting your cardio is… to walk up the escalators or stairs instead of taking the lift or standing still. Walking too easy? Extension of this idea is then to ‘bound’ up the stairs, whilst maintaining your own safety, aim to run up the escalator or stairs.
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Train/tube too crowded for balance skills? No problem! How about…
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3) Visualisation technique.
Actively think about your pairs techniques and combinations, think through each move as attacker AND defender, now add the counting (in your head is often best 
!) Whether it’s yellow 2 or red 3, visualising your techniques and combinations can be a useful way to keep them fresh in your mind for next time you train AND will help set them as long term memory.
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4) Work on your reflexes.
Be aware of your surroundings, if you’re sat on a crowded bus or tube try and focus on the best route off at your stop. We do not condone pushing and shoving to get off public transport! Sensei Russell adds “We should all be aware of our surroundings, for our own personal safety and the safety of others, the martial arts teaches also us patience and good manners!” It never hurts to be aware of your surroundings… especially if you’re deep in visualisation and about to miss your stop!
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Finally..
5) Spatial awareness.
You will hear Sensei instructing you to ‘move’ and ’be aware of your distance from a partner’ when form fighting or sparring. Plan your journey – where are the entrances/exits situated, where are the busier/quieter parts of the train likely to be? Is there football on at Wembley or cricket at St John’s Wood… If you travel to the Dojo on the Jubilee line you’ll know these events can make a big difference to your journey!
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