One of the most important things to realize in properly utilizing the body, whether it is for fighting, sport, health or other purposes is to listen to the body and work with the body.
Very often, people say "Mind over Body". It is completely and utterly incorrect.
The human body, and all its functions (including your consciousness), is comparable to a sophisticated 4-wheel drive vehicle. While it is tough enough to be smashed around by an idiot who does not know how to shift the car out of first gear; if you know how to utilize the gears, the high and low range, how to read and understand the electronic readings and displays, understand what track conditions to use what techniques; you will be able to fully utilize the capability of the machine, and you will be able to enjoy it for many more years to come.
Just like the example above, abusing the body the "Mind over Body" way is not an efficient way to use the body. Plus, very often damages to the body are irreversible.
The smarter way to use the body is to "Harmonize" the mind and body. In the Tai Chi Classics "意氣君來骨肉臣" Which means "the mind is the Emperor and the body his Ministers". While the ministers carry out the commands of the Emperor, the Emperor must respect the freedom of the ministers, and the ministers must report to the Emperor on issuses that require his attention.
When you are dealing with an opponent your body is constantly sensing the dynamic interactions, giving you information on where the opponent's weaknesses are, how to avoid his strengths, where your centre of balance is etc. By applying the "Mind over Body" methods, you are ignoring all these useful information. By "Harmonizing" it gives you a better chance to come out on top.
The bottom line is, don't FORCE the body to do what it is not supposed to do. Understand your body, listen to it, train it, work with it; and you will suddenly find yourself doing things you never thought possible.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
East meets West....
Hi, this is my first post. So let me introduce myself.
My name is Dr. John K. Fung. I have a background in Western medical science, plus a heavy influence in traditional Chinese philosophies. So you can say it is a good mix of Yin and Yang, factual and conceptual.
My purpose is to explore what we can do to activate the true potential of the human mind and body.
While Western science gives us a good tool for analysis and experimentation, traditional Chinese methods evolved through thousands of years of empirical observations. There is vast knowledge to be tapped into.
Predominantly, I am using my knowledge for fighting purposes; however, I am increasingly using my skills to help people with health problems, through teaching them how to better control and utilize the body.
By openly sharing my methods, and asking the right questions, hopefully one day someone will make some remarkable discoveries, taking the human race to a new level.
My name is Dr. John K. Fung. I have a background in Western medical science, plus a heavy influence in traditional Chinese philosophies. So you can say it is a good mix of Yin and Yang, factual and conceptual.
My purpose is to explore what we can do to activate the true potential of the human mind and body.
While Western science gives us a good tool for analysis and experimentation, traditional Chinese methods evolved through thousands of years of empirical observations. There is vast knowledge to be tapped into.
Predominantly, I am using my knowledge for fighting purposes; however, I am increasingly using my skills to help people with health problems, through teaching them how to better control and utilize the body.
By openly sharing my methods, and asking the right questions, hopefully one day someone will make some remarkable discoveries, taking the human race to a new level.
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