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The value of play and self-determination in movement
In Liberation Martial Arts (LMA), play and self-determination are essential to consistency, and consistency drives growth. This short documentary follows two long-time organizers and pro wrestling enthusiasts as they explore pro wrestling using the LMA approach. (Since it's an approach, it can be applied to anything.)
Pro wrestling, while often viewed as performance and showmanship, requires dynamic, adaptive movement—aligning perfectly with LMA's principles of Wayfinding and movement diversity​. Protecting yourself and your comrade is integral to the practice. Like LMA, wrestling is rooted in learning through the body and environment, making this journey a perfect illustration of the radical potential in the LMA approach.
Wayfinding through wrestling
In the LMA approach, fun drives skill development. Our two radical wrestlers are exploring pro wrestling through LMA's Wayfinding. Rather than passive recipients of instruction, they are active explorers of their movement space. Just as we did with kickboxing, these practitioners are honing their movement skills without the need for an expert or wrestling "teacher/instructor." In this way, the LMA approach makes movement practices accessible—barriers are dismantled.
Wrestling demands dynamic engagement with the environment. The skill lies in responding to affordances—what does the environment or situation offer you? Whether in wrestling or in the world, LMAists explore these affordances, focusing on how the environment both shapes their movement and is shaped by their actions​​. Wayfinding, both in movement and life, is the constant interaction between the individual and the environment.
The role of fun and joy in growth
The radicals featured in the documentary began their journey with trepidation in their abilities to self-learn but soon discovered that embracing fun unlocked their inhibitions.
Inhibition inhibits movement potential. In LMA, fun isn't an afterthought; it's the catalyst for motor learning. This transforms spirited training from a source of dread into a source of nourishment. When challenge becomes play, we develop a new relationship with learning—one in which the body, mind, and environment flow together harmoniously. The joy of learning through play isn't just a concept; it's a powerful motivator that keeps us engaged and committed.
Self-confidence through self-direction
In LMA, self-confidence means trusting your abilities. Self-direction fosters that trust. When you have self-confidence and self-direction, you can navigate any world. You don't cultivate self-confidence or self-direction if you're just following rigid steps and instructions. What you are learning is not how to do a movement but how to trust yourself as a mover. You learn to trust yourself, your body, your decisions, and your ability to quickly adapt through experience and new challenges. We call that process "play."
Personal transformation through material growth
Under the tyranny of capitalism, we spend lots of time doing things, but we have little to show for it. Otherwise, we'd constantly learn and develop new skills as we age. However, when you approach movement through play, it's no longer time-invested or hard work—which is why capitalism devalues it—but you experience material growth. That's powerful and transformative.
If you're learning through play experience and self-direction, you constantly get live feedback when things work and improve. This reinforces belief in yourself because you've proved that you can do hard things. Your attitudes around fun and yourself shift. Fun isn't unproductive or frivolous; it is essential—even for adults.
Growth, then, is a material change. It is the development of talent, a shift in beliefs, and an expression of individual experience. It's nonlinear and shaped by the unique conditions, experiences, and paths each individual takes​. Progress thrives in a transformative, restorative, and care-informed environment.
Tying it all together
In the LMA approach, you are not memorizing patterns but engaging in a creative process. Being creative means being free, and you need confidence to be free. Confidence is an environmental adaptation that grows from within. The LMA approach is a guide to setting the conditions for enjoyment, confidence, and growth. Play, self-direction, and Wayfinding cultivate the skills needed to navigate both movement and life with confidence and ease.
To access the Liberation Martial Arts curriculum and contribute to the sustainability of this project, consider upgrading your membership. Find other ways to support me here. – Sam
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(I write daily about martial arts and other topics from a liberatory perspective. If you like my work, upgrade your subscription. You can also support me on Patreon or make a one-time donation on Ko-fi. Find Southpaw at its website. Get the swag on Spring. Also check out Liberation Martial Arts Online.)
Playing with Pro Wrestling: An Exploration in Fun and Self-Direction