A gradual approach also lowers tension. Let’s say someone were going to punch you in the stomach. Your arms were held back so you could not block the punch or move out of the way. He reaches his arm back to deliver the punch to your belly. What do you do? You tense your abdominal muscles. You brace yourself for the impact. That’s a good thing. It’s an instinctual response called braced readiness. You ready yourself for what you perceive to be a damaging blow.
