Ari
09-10-2004, 01:21 PM
I was reading a wonderful book called "Shadow Syndromes" by John J. Ratey, MD, and found a section which I believe confirms what Mr. Sonnon wrote in "Body-Flow."
When I first picked up Body-Flow, I did so because, to some extent, fear and stress dominate my life, namely, fear of poverty/failure. Much of this fear is irrational, but somehow I cannot shake the notion that doom is right around the corner no matter how much I intellectually know I'm going to be just fine tomorrow...
Anyway, when I read the book, I though that much of what was written in it was very wise, but I wondered how physical exercises (if you'll permit me to use that term for convenience sake) can get rid of fears, etc. Without having seen any footnotes to any learned journals of psychiatry, I was disappointed, and thought I'd been sold a bit of snake oil, if I can be pardoned for saying so. So, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I did not put its teachings to use.
That is until I picked up Ratey's book again and was reminded as to what it said about the martial arts. Permit me to quote:
"Unlike most western sports, the martial arts specifically train the mind as well as the body: novices are taught to pay attention-- conscious, focused attention-- to their balance, timing, endurance, ability to act sequentially, the speed and strength of each muscle, and the way they move through space... the martial arts teach the body and brain to achieve a state of relaxed readiness, a condition in which the trainee is able to react effectively to any challenge without having to anticipate it." (Ratey at 357).
Originally, I had planned to write to you to ask you about why you believe your exercises would help with controlling fear and anxiety, but the Shadow Syndromes book tells me that you cannot answer that question: "The physiological reasons for this phenomenon are still poorly understood, but it is clear that any activity that provides constant challenge, and requires sustained self-discipline, has the potential to benefit many and various areas of our intellectual, social and emotional lives." (Ratey at 360).
The book offers several examples, which would make you proud, were they "Body-Flow" practitioners. Somehow, I'm confident that you have a legion of examples to your credit of which you're justifiably proud.
Thank you for your book, I'm going to get started tomorrow. Here's to dispensing with my irrational fears.
Oh and a question: Are all/most of the links in the "kinetic chains" to be found on "grappler's toolbox." I have that tape, but have not had opportunity to compare it with the Bodyflow book yet. Frankly, I'm having a hard time picturing what I'm supposed to do in some of the exercises just by reading the book.
Ari
When I first picked up Body-Flow, I did so because, to some extent, fear and stress dominate my life, namely, fear of poverty/failure. Much of this fear is irrational, but somehow I cannot shake the notion that doom is right around the corner no matter how much I intellectually know I'm going to be just fine tomorrow...
Anyway, when I read the book, I though that much of what was written in it was very wise, but I wondered how physical exercises (if you'll permit me to use that term for convenience sake) can get rid of fears, etc. Without having seen any footnotes to any learned journals of psychiatry, I was disappointed, and thought I'd been sold a bit of snake oil, if I can be pardoned for saying so. So, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I did not put its teachings to use.
That is until I picked up Ratey's book again and was reminded as to what it said about the martial arts. Permit me to quote:
"Unlike most western sports, the martial arts specifically train the mind as well as the body: novices are taught to pay attention-- conscious, focused attention-- to their balance, timing, endurance, ability to act sequentially, the speed and strength of each muscle, and the way they move through space... the martial arts teach the body and brain to achieve a state of relaxed readiness, a condition in which the trainee is able to react effectively to any challenge without having to anticipate it." (Ratey at 357).
Originally, I had planned to write to you to ask you about why you believe your exercises would help with controlling fear and anxiety, but the Shadow Syndromes book tells me that you cannot answer that question: "The physiological reasons for this phenomenon are still poorly understood, but it is clear that any activity that provides constant challenge, and requires sustained self-discipline, has the potential to benefit many and various areas of our intellectual, social and emotional lives." (Ratey at 360).
The book offers several examples, which would make you proud, were they "Body-Flow" practitioners. Somehow, I'm confident that you have a legion of examples to your credit of which you're justifiably proud.
Thank you for your book, I'm going to get started tomorrow. Here's to dispensing with my irrational fears.
Oh and a question: Are all/most of the links in the "kinetic chains" to be found on "grappler's toolbox." I have that tape, but have not had opportunity to compare it with the Bodyflow book yet. Frankly, I'm having a hard time picturing what I'm supposed to do in some of the exercises just by reading the book.
Ari