As well as swinging the odd sword I have also been known to bend the bow (a 32 pound middle ages Hungarian bow in the pursuit of field archery, for those who are curious). An old archery training annecedote came into play in this weeks class, which I thought I’d share.
It’s a concept of being ‘under the bow’. With all the compressive forces on your bow arm (the one holding the bow) there is a tendancy for tension to creep into the shoulder and have it rise. This isn’t good because you are looking to form a nice T with all the forces acting bone on bone rather than having nervous muscles in play.
The effect can be simulated by lifting a jam jar while holding it from above with your fingers by its lid. You will feel, as you raise the jar, your shoulder tense and rise. Next lift the jar by placing it on your upward turned palm. This time your shoulder shouldn’t rise. Instead you should feel the muscles behind your shoulder blades come into action.
Note: the lifting should be done out to the side in the same space that the hold occupies.
The purpose of this exercise is to avoid ‘chicken wing’ tango and tension in the shoulders. By bringing the action from ‘underneath’ you can achieve a nice firm static hold that communicates out the intention of the chest without having to hang her hand from the rafters or twist her wrist into submission.