Another relaxation method

A relaxation method I like to use goes something like this: You can sit in a comfortable chair (one that you like or a favorite chair/couch), close your eyes, start with your toes and imagine the outside of the area from toes on up "filling up" on the outside...then after your whole body is filled (of the outside skin) from toe to head, imagine that it is filling up from toes to head but on the inside of toe, foot, leg, etc....all the way to top of head. By then, you should be fairly relaxed. Then, I like to imagine that I am entering a corridor that travels slightly downward. It is only me there so no distractions. I imagine I am floating down and as I float down I am relaxing even more. I arrive at five deep steps and imagine going from step five on down relaxing at each step on the way down. When I get to step one, I am very, very relaxed (almost hypnotized) but then, I get to an "airlock" which I open and, when inside, get relaxed even more. When I open the airlock I am at "relaxation station" where I am so relaxed it is almost a shame. This part is personal to me and you; I go through "my" door and enter "my" room where I (as my own fantasy) have a relaxation reclyner. I sit in it and recline and am looking out a large, thick glass window where the oceon is there and small waves or rolling in. It is the only sound I can hear and nobody else can get in my room. I listen and watch the waves for about five to ten minutes. When leaving, I sort of go through the steps backward. When I am out of my cooridor and into the sunshine, I rub my head, eyes and face and get back to normal.

Relax!

One tremendous thing that Sifu Dan has taught me over the years is basically to relax! Many times while doing drills or Chi Sao, Dan always noticed how tense I was being and would just say "relax"...That has always been a fairly difficult thing for me to do, but with his help, and the fact that it was said or told to me so many times (probably hundreds), everytime I get tense about anything, I try to recall his voice and expression while saying the word. It always works because I get into a relaxed state each time. Not that I would ever be attacked, but you never know? If it did happen, I am sure that this word would be the first thing I would think about. It has to help! Of course there are other ways to handle a realistic opponent, i.e., attacker. One way that I have come across comes from "Attack Proof" and is something like this; You are standing alone with your eyes closed, when you open your eyes, attackers are in front of you with broken bottles and knives. You close your eyes again (because it is imaginary) and imagine the most vile thing you can think of in front of you and that this vile giant (or whatever) is trying to take your child! You open your eyes and scream the loudest scream you have ever used and with both palms open attack the vile thing until it/he is in shreads. There are other methods and I will discuss a few of those in coming posts.

Change of Blog (but Good change)

I have been thinking somewhat about changing (slightly) the nature of the blog! By far, the nature of it will remain the journey, however, I have decided to tweek it a bit and start adding bits and pieces regarding what I have learned about Wing Chun (and perhaps a few other arts). Some of this information and maybe opinion will come from many books that I have and some other information may come from actual experience in Lafayette and New Iberia with Sifu Dan Terrell (and occasionally Sifu Fong). I realize that you generally cannot learn Wing Chun from books, but you can learn ABOUT Wing Chun from books and DVD's. There is certainly nothing wrong with learning about the art. Much of the discussion (and I hope we have some) will center on actual learning and principles of Wing Chun. Certainly, if I am wrong about some of this information, my Sifu will join in and correct it, but hope I don't add any disinformation. As mentioned, sometimes I hope to add information and discussion of some other arts. I know perhaps only a limited amount about some of them so others may want to put their 2 cents in from time to time. I hope so! We may talk about Pekiti Tersia, Muay Thai, BJJ, and may some Karate (from my past experience with it). I am also an 8th level in Preying Mantis Kung Fu, so we may talk about that and maybe Sifu Chuck Perry in Alexandria will join us. I also may bring up some discussion of "Attack Proof" which I have been learning recently. All of this will start next time, so stay tooned!