What Feedback Loop?

Martial arts relies on feedback.  Throw a good punch at the heavy bag and it makes a satisfying thump.  Throw a lousy punch and you roll your wrist.  Apply a good choke to your partner and they tap quick.  Apply a crummy choke and they raise an eyebrow at you and slowly reverse that dominant position it took you so long to achieve.

Why then, would we practice forms, which have no external feedback loop?  You throw a punch into the air and there is no body or bag that reports back to you that you did a good or bad job.  You execute a block against… nothing, thus acquiring no information about if you did a good job or not.

The feedback loop is you.  You must exercise the focus and discipline to throw a good punch despite the fact that you are hitting nothing.  You must demonstrate a solid stance despite the fact that no one is pushing against you.  You must show a perfectly structured throw in which you are lifting nothing.  Demand quality movement from yourself.  Be your own feedback loop.