I read an article this week on the effects of aging on our ability to concentrate. READ ARTICLE HERE According to this study, done by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine there seems to be no connection between aging and a loss of concentration. So now all my "old" students will have to find another excuse for their lack of focus... ;-) In their defense, there are two ways I know for certain can affect a student's ability to concentrate; hydration and medicine. If you are not getting enough water your brain chemistry can be altered making it much more difficult to concentrate. Western medicine has, with its LOOOOOOOOOOONG list of side effects can also impair one's ability to concentrate either directly altering brain chemistry or indirectly with ugly side effects that serve to distract us.
Mental muscles... Mind over matter?
It has been my experience that we can very effectively train our "concentration muscles" The study from Wake Forest goes a long way to support that hypothesis. READ STUDY SUMMARY HERE When working with a new Tai Chi student, we work first on helping them learn to recognize and release muscle tension. We work on mechanical fundamentals until they begin to gain a better mind/body connection (communication). As they grow in their training they find it easier to concentrate, developing higher levels of communication within their bodies. Meditation is a great example of this process. When you first attempt meditation (lets say just being still and focusing on the breath) you will typically find it very difficult to stay focused for any period of time. Usually, your mind will "wander off" task and it will take you a while to even realize it. After several frustrating attempts, most students , at this point label meditation as "too hard" or "not for me". The ones that keep working on it soon find their awareness of the "wandering mind" becomes more acute and that are able to more quickly return to their meditation focus. The formula is simple
(Practice + Time = Success)
Imagine that...
I have read many books about Tai Chi and Qigong and have worked with many gifted teachers; across the board, each of them speaks of using visualizations as a training tool. For a long time, I had trouble with this; later I could FEEL the benefit but lacked understanding. Now, I realize how visualization actually provides us with another method of communicating with our bodies. For example, early in training I am asking students to focus on three points of their feet to help them establish better stability and balance; later on, as they become more aware and comfortable with this focus, I ask them to "feel heavy" in their steps or stance without compromising their posture. Once the sensations of heaviness are easy for them to achieve throughout their practice they will lose the need for the visualization and begin to simply "be heavy". The feeling of being grounded and solid stays with them without the mental effort. This deepened sense of mind/body understanding is the root of our Tai Chi and Qigong training. We are ever refining our personal mind/body connection in order to develop deep strength and flexibility; increased circulation and vitality; heightened immune function and a very powerful overall sense of unity and peace.
Relaxation exercise... Please, try this at home...
Next time you are having trouble falling asleep or just want to relax for a bit, maybe meditate? ;-) try this...
Begin by sitting or lying down comfortably and focusing on your breath. Just listen to the inhale / exhale cycle and allow yourself to be still with this focus. Once your concentration has settled comfortably into the breath, visualize that with every exhale you are sinking deeper into the chair or mattress. Don't try to "make" yourself relax, simply visualize the sinking energy upon every exhale. It may take some practice to stay focused but I have found this to be a wonderful tool on a restless night. As with everything else, the more you practice, the easier it gets...Don't give up!
Rules for visualization
The rule is... There are no rules! NO right or wrong way to "play". Identify a desired focus (like relaxation) and then create and imagery you can relate to which gives you the sensation of being relaxed. The tool came can be used to create strong posture, grounding energy and any of our other 12 principals for Tai Chi and Qigong training.
Relax, focus and have fun with it!
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