Month: July 2008
Part 1 of the get ready for the army notes
It is a good idea to start with defining the constants in your life and to start to play with them. For example: eating, sleeping and showering are a constant in most people’s lives and it is a new experience for them when they are altered in the army.
Work to be able to work well and calm without one or two nights of sleep
Learn to manage without fully showering for at least three days and see how you can somehow clean the important parts
Learn to work without food or drink for 24 and than for 48 hours while you monitor your mood and performance. Look up how to notice if you are well in terms of water and energy and go from there. Taking care of yourself in any situation possible.
Keep breathing and note that this position also narrows your field of sight. You will find that moving and turning serves you well to create a better field of sight and learn to do so even if the arms are free. practice this.
Other positions:
1 Arms tied behind your back
2 Legs tied together
3 Hands tied in front of you
4 Elbows tied behind the back
5 Hands in pockets
6 One hand tied behind the back to the other over the shoulder
Relax and breathe.
Start by standing and slowly squat down with your back aligned going down in small steps as you exhale and relax. Once you are down move your hips and shoulders a bit to relax in this hight as well and slowly climb up in small steps using the inhale to move the body. This may seem strange at first but will help connect the gaps in letting the breath move you.
The second drill is just like the first only you drop and raise one hip at a time while keeping the spine aligned from it upwards.
Try them a few times with awareness to the small happenings and check how you work afterwards.
Next do this as your partner resists with sudden pulls and pushes and you have to keep from tensing up and move your body to avoid getting hit. The same can be done with a knife or two where you redirect and move and from time to time move fast to teach greater freedom of movement and awareness. Check that you decide where you want to go and avoid becoming a reacting machine. Keep your freedom within.
It is also good to check how you work in tight places like under a door or sitting next to a table. Giving yourself limitations lets you find new ways to move and solve problems. This way you have a better sense of movement and intuition when a problem arises.
Take note of the temperature of the air coming in. It is important.
Mind your sensations in the foot and work barefoot if you can. It helps.