Lesson: What Is Neuroplasticity

Lesson: What It Is Neuroplasitcity?

Neuroplasticity is your nervous system’s ability to rewire itself — creating new neural pathways or strengthening existing ones in response to repeated activity.

It’s how beginners become experts & how subtle touch skills (like feeling joint alignment shifts) become second nature.

How It Works in Training

1. Initial Stage – Mapping

• When you first learn a technique, your brain is firing multiple, scattered neural pathways, “searching” for the correct sequence.

• This is why everything feels clumsy at first.

2. Repetition – Myelination

• Each time you repeat the move, your brain lays down myelin (an insulating layer) around the neurons involved.

• Myelination makes electrical signals travel faster & more reliably.

3. Refinement – Pruning

• Unnecessary or inefficient neural connections are removed (pruned).

• Movements become cleaner, smoother, & require less conscious thought.

4. Automaticity – Flow State

• At this stage, executing the move bypasses much of the conscious cortex & runs through streamlined subcortical circuits — freeing your attention for reading an opponent or spotting openings.

Kyusho & Tuite Connection

• Pressure Point Targeting – The more you practice precise striking or locking angles, the more your sensory cortex refines the “map” of those targets.

• Light Touch Sensitivity – Tactile receptors in your skin feed data to the brain; repeated exposure builds a heightened ability to detect micro-movements and tension changes.

• Combos & Flow – Well-trained pathways allow smooth chaining of strikes, locks, & follow-ups without mental lag.

Cool Bonus

Neuroplasticity isn’t just for the young. Martial artists in their 50s, 60s, & beyond can still develop faster reaction times & better tactile sensitivity — it just requires consistent, mindful repetition.

Understand the Science. Master the Art! 🐼