Just relax!

The current, in vogue, Western reason for relaxation is to manage stress. Stress in life is ubiquitous. Too little stress amounts to a very boring time, while too much will make you sick. What constitutes too little or too much is more about how you interpret it and deal with it, than any absolute measure of the firing capacity of stressors in your environment. However, this is well off the track for an appreciation of relaxation in the martial sense. Read about stress and stress management, but keep it separate from your meditation and internal practices. Please view relaxation as an initial part of this kind of internal development.

The Eastern view of mind is more general than our Cartesian or Positivist heritages would permit - be prepared for different metaphors! The oriental mind contains: Will (decisiveness), Mind-Intent (commitment), Heart-Mind (emotional consciousness), Rational Mind (rational consciousness), Spirit (appreciation of courage), Earth Spirit (ie, body consciousness), Heaven Spirit (ie, self-awareness or self absorption). All these parts are operational, and they may try to sneak control of your behaviour, beliefs and mood.

For martial arts, the Rational Mind has the job of being quiet. The Three Spirits have a job of being open - supplying perceptions and impressions as honestly as possible.

The key to Ki moderated martial power is the Mind-Intent. It is developed by stilling the rational mind. To start, use your Mind-Intent to control your breath. Breathe slowly and evenly, without strain, anywhere. Relax the throat (ie, cease any 'internal chatter' in your mind which evokes muscular activity in the throat, and also, soften the tongue and neck muscles). Concentrate (attend to diligently) on standing (sitting, walking, ...) under the influence of gravity, while retaining balance.

Breathe via your lower abdomen, without force. Talk to an instructor or maybe a yoga teacher about this if you think you're using too much tension. Lose the tension, sink into the strong, stillness. Enjoy.

Tom Osborn