One of the reasons I like the book on martial power as well as others. They provide you perspective. They provide you the means to "analyze" your practice to determine its validity in application.
Look at it as the martial arts "urban legends" check point. A way to weed out "bullshit" from "fact." I guess what I am trying so hard to explain is when you ask a question, get an answer, sometimes it "seems" plausible but under closer scrutiny you find it does not hold water, the glass is leaking all over the place.
Here is an example, a person asks why the ends of the obi are as long as they are so you hear the answer that it provides a focal point on how well you are moving. If it sways to much your moving to much so the idea is to move in such a manner as to keep the ends from moving but a small amount. Now, that sounds on the surface as if it might be plausible but upon scrutiny it fails to hold water.
Another is the one I just posted on as to supporting the back, giving a physical reminder of where jodan and gedan start, etc. when you attain your black belt. Not, another urban legend. How do these things get started?
Well, my theory [knew I was going to say that right], a black belt who didn't know the answer so kind of extrapolated it from what they "feel" it might do. For some reason, which I could also theorize about, the male species seems to have a need to give some answer even if not totally accurate or relevant in lieu of just saying, "I don't know, but, will find out!"
As I started, the books that provide perspective outside your current experience sometimes open that door a bit wider and provide you actual and relevant information to explain with clarity what it is your doing. I can say the martial power book turned on a lot of lights as to things I could do but just could not find the right way to explain it, I just knew it worked. Then there is a lot that I just didn't know or realize so it gave me a treasure trove of information that turned on more lights.
When I read, hear, view something that seems to make sense and seems relevant I take time now to try and "analyze it" so I can make sure it is not just another urban legend or some "fill-in" for a lack of knowledge or simply a lack of understanding. I ask myself that in the beginning why did I jump into instructing since it is now apparent that I totally lacked adequate tools and knowledge to teach. Sigh, guess I was lucky to discover and find more as I went along, a learning/lesson in and of itself I guess.
My suggestion is all information needs to be vetted, analyze it so it is validated and truth and accurate and valid for practice and training. It might mean your health and well-being, i.e. either good or not so good when some clown jumps you and cleans your clock.
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