Fitness of the Mind

[Lance C]

All welcome,

The staff got together and decided to revamp the fitness program in class. We took a look at the Elite Fighters Fitness test and how to apply it. We found that it expanded not on just fitness, but built on other attributes in the physical world. This is a pretty good step towards better athletes.

One element that is interesting is to see how the mind can change during physical tests. Both the effects "high on performance" and "mental slowdown during fatigue" were noticeable, the less you are used to "pushing yourself" the less you are able to work in the mental world. That is problem solving, shape recognition, perceptions etc.. work on a much lower level. *After Note: Some people meditate to push themselves, and become oblivious to the world around them.

For a common frame of reference on what Kenpoists train for, is the running battle. The common description is in the Movie "Enter the Dragon" where Bruce's movie sister is chased by a gang of men. She constantly hits and runs trying to seek a place of safety.

Physical Fitness severely affects one's ability to quickly accelerate, also if you are out of shape, what your body does during exhertion really affects your mental processes / perceptions and the like.

A master artist, one who is active and realistic about training probably is in great physical shape both physically and mentally during exhertion.

Many instructors for reasons of disability, life style choices, prior commitments etc. are master coaches. However I would hope that their students never loose sight of the fitness improvements that should be sought.

Looking at other training methods in the physical world, I noted that there are many ways mental exercises are used in conjunction with the work out. Such things as reciting poetry, small problem solving, quizes, even talking back and forth are used to keep athletes not only not board, and on their toes, but multi-tasking, thinking, looking and non-meditative while being physical.

Perhaps I will try and avoid the dull stare doing the same exercises in the same order in class by adding something.

-Lance

[Xperience]

All welcome,

The staff got together and decided to revamp the fitness program in class. We took a look at the Elite Fighters Fitness test and how to apply it. We found that it expanded not on just fitness, but built on other attributes in the physical world. This is a pretty good step towards better athletes.

One element that is interesting is to see how the mind can change during physical tests. Both the effects "high on performance" and "mental slowdown during fatigue" were noticeable, the less you are used to "pushing yourself" the less you are able to work in the mental world. That is problem solving, shape recognition, perceptions etc.. work on a much lower level. *After Note: Some people meditate to push themselves, and become oblivious to the world around them.

For a common frame of reference on what Kenpoists train for, is the running battle. The common description is in the Movie "Enter the Dragon" where Bruce's movie sister is chased by a gang of men. She constantly hits and runs trying to seek a place of safety.

Physical Fitness severely affects one's ability to quickly accelerate, also if you are out of shape, what your body does during exhertion really affects your mental processes / perceptions and the like.

A master artist, one who is active and realistic about training probably is in great physical shape both physically and mentally during exhertion.

Many instructors for reasons of disability, life style choices, prior commitments etc. are master coaches. However I would hope that their students never loose sight of the fitness improvements that should be sought.

Looking at other training methods in the physical world, I noted that there are many ways mental exercises are used in conjunction with the work out. Such things as reciting poetry, small problem solving, quizes, even talking back and forth are used to keep athletes not only not board, and on their toes, but multi-tasking, thinking, looking and non-meditative while being physical.

Perhaps I will try and avoid the dull stare doing the same exercises in the same order in class by adding something.

-Lance

Hi L. C ~
Excellent observations . . . too many M.A. schools boast of the fitness benefits of M.A. practice, but when the prospective student arrives, they see that the Head Instructor is some old, fat, bald guy; who is an obvious candidate for a corinary at any moment. M.A. practice imparts economy of movement as one's skill developes; In other words, physical effort decreases as one's skill increases, thus fitness training is an essential adjunct to M.A. practice (ask any ninja). That's one aspect of the E-F system that I'm glad to see that Kevin & Eric didn't neglect; Unfortunately, too many of our peers have. That's also why my program consists of training in Leedo Kenpo, Tai Chi Therapy, and Dynamicise. A healthy curriculum consists of a balance of M.A. practice & fitness training. Anyway, I just wanted to pitch in my '$.02'. By the way, I hope you guys have a Happy New Year!
Sincerely . . . X

[warrior-scholar]

Yes, a Happy New Year to all as well. Hopefully we can all make a resolution to improve our physical conditioning through Kenpo-specific and general exercises. My goal as an instructor for 2007 is to optimize the connection between fitness and Kenpo-harmonize the various levels of physical and mental training (i.e. anaerobic, aerobic etc.).
Best wishes for all!

[Lance C]

Yes, a Happy New Year to all as well. Hopefully we can all make a resolution to improve our physical conditioning through Kenpo-specific and general exercises. My goal as an instructor for 2007 is to optimize the connection between fitness and Kenpo-harmonize the various levels of physical and mental training (i.e. anaerobic, aerobic etc.).
Best wishes for all!


I have been really putting the study on physical conditioning over the holidays. Despite my large appetite and surplus of food during the holidays, I managed to drop 1/2 pound over Christmas and my wife (also a karate instructor) dropped about 3 pounds.

I wanted to learn more about personal fitness training and ordered several books on exercise and fitness from Amazon. Having trained in the martial arts for many years, there were many details missing from my fitness education. It was to my dismay that the standard workout at the club strengthened your front, but neglected your back, the fitness program was way out of balance and probably explained the mild lower back discomfort in the mornings.

Just a few weeks have gone by with the new for me training and my posture has improved, my back discomfort in the morning is gone. This is the start of balancing my physique.

Much of the text indicates that we are overexercising new students and often without a good look at the students individual requirements. After learning more about exercise, we lessened what we do in the sense of weight and found that we were more engergized than tired at the end of the night, sometimes to the point of not being able to sleep.

I have begun to understand about how wrongly exercising can leave you without improvement, and how negative feelings decline motivation.

That old saying "no pain, no gain" has a caveat as in karate training: If it feels like you are doing something tough, you may be doing it wrong. When working out, try not to do too much. Good form brings the best out, bad form may make you think you are doing it right. Isometrics are putting one muscle against the other, no motion exists, locked from both ends. Kenpo requiring much motion is hampered by slow or non moving muscles.


-Lance C

[Xperience]

I have been really putting the study on physical conditioning over the holidays. Despite my large appetite and surplus of food during the holidays, I managed to drop 1/2 pound over Christmas and my wife (also a karate instructor) dropped about 3 pounds.

I wanted to learn more about personal fitness training and ordered several books on exercise and fitness from Amazon. Having trained in the martial arts for many years, there were many details missing from my fitness education. It was to my dismay that the standard workout at the club strengthened your front, but neglected your back, the fitness program was way out of balance and probably explained the mild lower back discomfort in the mornings.

Just a few weeks have gone by with the new for me training and my posture has improved, my back discomfort in the morning is gone. This is the start of balancing my physique.

Much of the text indicates that we are overexercising new students and often without a good look at the students individual requirements. After learning more about exercise, we lessened what we do in the sense of weight and found that we were more engergized than tired at the end of the night, sometimes to the point of not being able to sleep.

I have begun to understand about how wrongly exercising can leave you without improvement, and how negative feelings decline motivation.

That old saying "no pain, no gain" has a caveat as in karate training: If it feels like you are doing something tough, you may be doing it wrong. When working out, try not to do too much. Good form brings the best out, bad form may make you think you are doing it right. Isometrics are putting one muscle against the other, no motion exists, locked from both ends. Kenpo requiring much motion is hampered by slow or non moving muscles.


-Lance C

Hi L.C ~

You've got the right-of-it about the importance of balanced core (thoractic girdle) strenght; It supports the skeletal muscles. I warm-up with a little yoga, use dynamic-tension (moving isometrics) for strength-training, skip rope for leg-work/agility/aerobic-work, and runner's stretches to cool down. By the way, 10 minutes of skipping rope (boxer style) produces the same physiological benefit as 30 minutes of running (not jogging, but running). Also, a little Tai Chi goes a long way, as far as maintaining skeletal strength, and healthy joints & sinews. Anyway, there's a few 'fitness training' pointers for you.

;) X

[Lance C]

X,

I used to love skipping rope! Unfortunately I broke an ankle and severely sprained the other a few years ago, they never came back well enough to get jumping again. They do horizontal push, but not vertical anymore. (Fortunately I am a Kenpoist and not a TKD person)

I am putting an order in to the supplier for some medicine balls. I remember taking wrestling in high school and my teacher was big on them. Researching the use of medicine balls in fitness widened the world for me. They research material called it "goal" oriented fitness, it is like sitting at the computer writing this email sitting on a fitness ball (inflatable kind) you have to keep your balance while doing other things. I find myself more alert and in better posture.


-Lance C

[Xperience]

X,

I used to love skipping rope! Unfortunately I broke an ankle and severely sprained the other a few years ago, they never came back well enough to get jumping again. They do horizontal push, but not vertical anymore. (Fortunately I am a Kenpoist and not a TKD person)

I am putting an order in to the supplier for some medicine balls. I remember taking wrestling in high school and my teacher was big on them. Researching the use of medicine balls in fitness widened the world for me. They research material called it "goal" oriented fitness, it is like sitting at the computer writing this email sitting on a fitness ball (inflatable kind) you have to keep your balance while doing other things. I find myself more alert and in better posture.


-Lance C

Hi L. C ~
Actually, 'fitness balls' are functional equipment; however something 'you' might check into considering the ankle situation, is the Flying Gazell (by Tony Little). It is a suspended ski-machine, and has little-to-no joint impact; and it even offers a little upper-body work. A good core-working machine is the Ab Lounge; But remember, machines only work if you use them for exercise, rather than as a cloths/junk rack. Unfortunately, that's how most of them end up. Anyway, good chattin' with you, but gotta go.
Take Care & Keep Up the Good Work...X

[Xperience]

Yes, a Happy New Year to all as well. Hopefully we can all make a resolution to improve our physical conditioning through Kenpo-specific and general exercises. My goal as an instructor for 2007 is to optimize the connection between fitness and Kenpo-harmonize the various levels of physical and mental training (i.e. anaerobic, aerobic etc.).
Best wishes for all!

Hi w-s ~
I don't know . . . but kata practice offers a pretty good aerobic effect, and even an anaerobic after a while; not to mention that it does wonders for one's concentration (awareness & focus), when properly executed. One just needs to remember to use strong mental imagery (attackers), so as not to get too bored. Also, sufficient 'heavy bag' work goes a long way toward fitness training. I know . . . I'm a master of the obvious. Anyway, have a good one.

P.S. Gearing your fitness training w/your Kenpo movement & mental acuity in mind, is a wise thing to do my friend.

;) X

[Lance C]

Hi w-s ~
I don't know . . . but kata practice offers a pretty good aerobic effect, and even anaerobic after a while; not to mention that it does wonders for one's concentration, when properly executed. One just needs to remember to use strong mental imagery (attackers), so as not to get too bored. I know, I'm a master of the obvious. Have a good one.

:) X

I thought we had to slip between awareness and concetration. Concentration during execution and awareness to keep sight of the big picture. (White Dot and Black Dot focus)

An old video of GM Parker doing Form 4, showed him watching the audience for reaction as he flamboyantly flowed through it with broken rythym. He was being candid, almost comedic. He was also known to have conversations with people as he flipped through it flawlessly.

One of my kids got grabbed just before Christmas by an Adult, the kid got away. He used Short Form I, he backed up and elbowed the guy in the groin who quickly let go and the kid ran to his Mom. Apparently it was the store owner who thought he was going to give the kid a bit of a scare, who turned out to have one of his own. A 6 year old getting ambushed by an adult did pretty well.

I asked him what happened, he said, "I didn't know what to do, so I did my short form" (on him.....) Kata's work!

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0


-Lance C

[Xperience]

I thought we had to slip between awareness and concetration. Concentration during execution and awareness to keep sight of the big picture. (White Dot and Black Dot focus)

An old video of GM Parker doing Form 4, showed him watching the audience for reaction as he flamboyantly flowed through it with broken rythym. He was being candid, almost comedic. He was also known to have conversations with people as he flipped through it flawlessly.

One of my kids got grabbed just before Christmas by an Adult, the kid got away. He used Short Form I, he backed up and elbowed the guy in the groin who quickly let go and the kid ran to his Mom. Apparently it was the store owner who thought he was going to give the kid a bit of a scare, who turned out to have one of his own. A 6 year old getting ambushed by an adult did pretty well.

I asked him what happened, he said, "I didn't know what to do, so I did my short form" (on him.....) Kata's work!

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0


-Lance C


Hi L.C ~
Well there you go . . . you see, I thought awareness 'was' concentration; and I figured Parker could divide his concentration during kata because he was in automatic-pilot, since they were 'his' kata. You know, kind of like carrying on a conversation while driving a car, after you've been a driver for a while.
Also, I had a similar incident occur to one of my petite 12 year old boys at his newspaper-drop, a number of years back. A man stopped his car, got out asking for directions; then he grabbed the boy and tried to drag him back to his car. All he got was a broken knee for his trouble. Don't you just love it , when the little guys give the perverts what they deserve(?). Anyway, gotta go man . . . take care. X

[Lance C]

Hi L.C ~
Well there you go . . . you see, I thought awareness 'was' concentration; and I figured Parker could divide his concentration during kata because he was in automatic-pilot, since they were 'his' kata. You know, kind of like carrying on a conversation while driving a car, after you've been a driver for a while.
Also, I had a similar incident occur to one of my petite 12 year old boys at his newspaper-drop, a number of years back. A man stopped his car, got out asking for directions; then he grabbed the boy and tried to drag him back to his car. All he got was a broken knee for his trouble. Don't you just love it , when the little guys give the perverts what they deserve(?). Anyway, gotta go man . . . take care. X

On a follow up, the kid's uncle wasn't bringing him to class, so my wife asked him where he was, I guess his estranged father threw a fit about him attending my class.

Apparently here in Canada Dead Beat Dads come with their own shoulder chips and indignant attitudes. Something I should be used to now.

hmmm, Awareness is Concentration. I would never have put the two words together.

Do you mean that you have to concentrate to do things to make you aware of your surroundings? Remembering what my driving instructor once said you need to move your eyes every couple of seconds to make sure you are being aware. This took much practice and much concentration.


I describe awareness as an empty mind, little thought, little emotion, just the stuff that counts. Kinda like the lights are on, but no body is home, however I am extremely aware of my environment, like I am not pre-occupied nor filtering anything out.



When I concentrate I usually focus in on something, such that my vision narrows and my ears dim the sound. Basically filtering stuff out so my brain can process what caught my attention. I get this way when nervous and fight like crap in this manner. I feel emotions stronger in this state.

Perhaps we can learn what each other's definition is.

Driving Cars is a good likeness to martial arts, the first time I got into the ring, was probably just as nervous as the first time behind the wheel, or worse, passing the driving test and driving alone the first time. (Yikes!)


-Lance

[Xperience]

Hi L.C ~
OK, I've got one for you . . .
You know the 'dungeon fight scene' in Enter the Dragon, where Lee has his back to the prisoner's cell, and you can see him 'dispersing' his vision? You can see that he is looking straight ahead, but can still see everything going on around him. That's concentration/awareness; one's awareness is dipersed (the radar is on), leaving the mind free to focus on whatever is relatively-important, moment-to-moment. It's what the japanese refer to as 'no-mind'. But like I said, Parker had done 'his' katas so many times, referencing the audience while he did one, would be like walking and chewing gum at the same time . . . no biggy. Or as another example, I'm sure that you have no trouble explaining a basic self-defense technique to a student, as you slide through it at the same time. Anyway, gotta go . . . so take care till later.
:) X

P.S. Just to edit/elaborate a bit, I think we're both barking up the same tree, just from opposite sides; because, the opposite end of consentration/awareness, is concentration/exclusion . . . the type of focus that funnels in on your subject, in exclusion of outside distractions. However, I don't think that either has had much effect on my emmotional state.