The Neglected Resource: Our Body/Mind

“We act according to our self image” –M. Feldenkrais 

What an idea this is. What a statement and what possibilities it opens for us.

Our action, our movement embodies everything we think and are. If we change our action, our movement, we have a way of changing our self image. What we often think of doing is “changing our mind”. But here is something else. What if we try to change our mind but leave our actions unchanged? This leaves us somehow short of what we want to do. But in changing our actions we have a way of changing our habits and affecting real expansion of our options. Notice the lead runner, Sebastian Coe, in the photo above. Notice the long stride which is created by the coordination of every part of himself in the running movement. See the long spine, the whole body spiral and the confident, powerful posture.

 Now look at the second runner. Can you see what he might be feeling through his action?  He seems to be looking downward, straining somewhat in the neck muscles, collapsing the chest slightly. Does this posture seem as confident?  Is it as powerful? What is this way of acting expressing? At this very moment in time is he expressing, ease or struggle? 

All Olympic runners have spent years training. What if we only practiced quality? This would include times and distances, but also perfecting our movement, our action, our thinking. What if our training included better acting and not just more? What if quality and single mindedness were fundamental elements instead of add-ons? Win or lose you will find that Seb Coe maintained great form and great presence. Perhaps by changing our actions we could learn more to “change our minds”.   Integrated action and a unified mind is the mark of greatness. 

What if we changed our minds about training altogether?  What if training was not merely a physical activity but a body/mind activity, a learning process?  What if we turned the traditional training pyramid around?  Here are the “old fitness pyramid” and the new model.

The old pyramid:  go for it and roll the dice.

The new pyramid! Build a foundation and succeed.  The difference between the two is the emphasis on the brain as the organizer of intention and on the learning process and the cycle of improvement before success. In the traditional pyramid success is achieved through force, i.e. adhering to rigid training and using will power without awareness.  In the second pyramid success is achieved through self- knowledge, unifying the will more deeply and improving body organization.  You can see why there are plateaus and injuries in the first model, as more and more force is applied without and real improvement in action. In the second model there is no end to learning. -Till next time, Scott

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