Empty Cup Learning – How an Open Mindset and Playful Approach can Improve Your Training
The empty cup parable is a well known story in where a tea master pours a cup of tea for a visiting scholar, continuing to pour until the tea is overflowing. When the scholar is shocked by the tea masters behavior the master says “Just like this cup, your mind is full of your own ideas. To learn first empty your cup”.
In this blog post we will explore how this parable can relate to learning kickboxing and look at how an open mindset and sense of play can enhance skill development.
The Empty Cup Mindset: What It Means in Sanda
The concept of having an empty cup represents letting go of preconceptions and ego. This means that you are open to learning new concepts and training methodologies. You may not necessarily take them on board as part of your training but you are still open to learning. The dangers of a ‘full cup’ approach is that you think you already know everything, you are resistant to feedback therefore hampering your growth and development as a kickboxer.
Sanda is a dynamic martial art that is constantly evolving. This means that the kickboxing student must also be mentally flexible and constantly be able to adapt to the ever changing world of martial arts.
Why Playfulness is Essential for Growth
A great way to constantly evolve and develop your training is to also adopt a playful mindset. This way of thinking in combination with the empty cup mindset, can lead to creativity, adaptability and experimentation in training, opening up new ways of moving and thinking about your Sanda practice.
This modality of training will also lead to more enjoyment of training and less chance of injury, meaning that a practicing martial artist will be able to train more consistently over a longer period of time, making them a better fighter.
Bringing Play into Your Training
One of the easiest ways to bring the play mindset into your training is through sparring. Sparring hard has its place but treating sparring as a game will reduce your stress levels boosting cognitive ability and memory. Play sparring will also encourage problem solving and improvisation, creating more well rounded and relaxed fighters.
Conclusion
Adopting an empty cup mindset and embracing a sense of play are essential components of success in training Sanda. The empty cup mindset allows practitioners to remain receptive to new techniques, ideas, and experiences, helping with growth in their skills. Coupled with a sense of play, this approach encourages creativity and enjoyment in training, making the journey both fulfilling and effective.
By applying this philosophy not only in training sessions but also in everyday life, individuals can cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude toward challenges.
“Stay open, stay curious, and let your cup be ready to be filled.” This mindset will open will lead to faster development in your kickboxing journey.