by Chris McKinley on Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:50 pm
mix,
RE: "throughout my training I have gotten to wondering what practice method (for forms) yields the best results.". Best results for what objective?
First of all, big and small have absolutely nothing to do with exact or free. In fact, in my case, the big stuff is where I tend to practice the exacting approach since everything is magnified and none of my mistakes can hide from analysis. Generally, the two approaches represent the classical and the Swimming Dragon methods of practice.
IMO, both should be practiced on their own and should definitely be combined at some point, especially with regard to application. As fun (and as supremely functional) as the freer stuff can be, never foresake the exacting formal practice though. It is and will remain your guage and the belweather for how much your movement conforms to the principles.