Want to take your martial arts training to a new level? Try practicing naked!
Yes, I said naked! Practicing in the nude will give you a whole new perspective on how you move your body. As a result, it can help you improve your balance, speed, and power.
To be clear, I’m not telling you to show up to class with no clothes on! But in the privacy of your own home, running through your moves naked will offer some valuable lessons.
You can watch my G-rated video below or scroll down for the transcript. Happy training!
Train Naked Transcript
Ando here from HLMA. They say that, “Clothes make the man.” But do clothes make the martial artist?
Does putting on your uniform make you feel like a better person? Does tying on your belt inspire you to perform at your best? Does putting on your uniform make you feel like the reincarnated spirit of a general from an ancient warrior clan?
Yikes! You might want to talk to someone about that… but not me.
Kidding aside, whether you wear a formal uniform or casual gym clothes to practice martial arts, I’ve got a question for you – have you ever worked out naked?
Consider this — uniforms are just training tools. They’re designed to help you develop specific skills.
Want more snap in your punches? Then a heavy cotton sleeve that pops when you whip your hand will give you feedback. Want to grab people and throw them around? Then you’re gonna need a thick collar and jacket to hold on to. Want smooth moves that flow into one another? Then putting on a light, loose material—like silk—will help remind you to stay soft and relaxed.
See how that works? Clothing can help train an ideal. Uniforms can enhance an aesthetic. But be careful—yes, a uniform can help you develop skills, but it can also give you a false sense of competence. That’s why—for more honest feedback—you should try working out naked.
You heard me—naked! Strip down and throw some punches and kicks around. Practice your forms. Do some shadowboxing. See how it feels.
If going totally nude is too much for you, okay—try training in your underwear or a bathing suit. Or hey—maybe just wear your belt.
Please—do not send me any photos!
For another weird practice tip, check out: How to Train Outdoors.
So, why train naked?
Now, if you’re a wrestler working out in a singlet or if you’re rolling in a rash guard and shorts in a no-gi BJJ class, you already know what I’m talking about. It’s all you out there. There’s nowhere to hide! But for the rest of us who are wearing more conservative workout attire, I highly recommend stripping down and exploring.
To make this challenge even harder, I recommend looking in a mirror while you practice, too!
The goal is simple—to seek the pure essence of your movement and the pure essence of yourself.
You want to feel just as tough, just as wise, and just as noble whether you’re wearing your uniform or not. Ultimately, you should feel no difference whether you’re wearing a tuxedo or a garbage bag.
If you love the pop of your punch in a heavy gi, train to feel just as proud of your punch in a tee shirt. If you feel like you’re a better person when you put on your uniform, train to feel the same way when you get dressed to go to work. If tying on your belt makes you feel ready to take on the world, train to feel the same way stepping out of the shower when you’re wearing nothing.
Don’t forget—the uniform is a tool to transform you. You’ll know it’s done it’s job when you don’t need it anymore.
A final thought. You were born wearing your very first uniform–your skin! If you can train to be comfortable in your own skin, if you can train to feel confident in your own skin, then it doesn’t really matter what you wear on top of it.
So, try training au natural. Close your curtains, lock the door, and face the naked truth. I hope you like how you feel.
Till next time, let it all hang out, my friend, and keep fighting for a happy life.
