MINDBODYONE™
A Course in Mindfulness, Movement, and Relationship
MindBodyOne ™ is a program of mind-body fitness, one that combines aspects
of traditional martial arts, Zen meditation, and western psychology. The
rationale for incorporating martial arts into a program that enhances mental
well-being may at first seem counter-intuitive. Traditional martial arts
should not be confused with the competitive and often violent nature of
the westernized versions of these arts, such as depicted in action movies.
The teachings of traditional martial arts are diametrically opposed to glorified
violence, as their Buddhist and Taoist origins would indicate. Martial prowess
is merely a “side-effect” of such training, whereas a centered, calm mind
and spiritual clarity that brings a capacity for self-regulation and impulse
control are its primary goals.
Benefits
Because of the eclectic nature of MindBodyOne™, a broad array of positive
benefits for physical and psychological well-being is possible. Similar
to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (a program now in use in hospitals
across the country), MindBodyOne ™ takes a mindfulness approach. However,
it adds other key dimensions of traditional martial arts training:
1.
Breathwork. The breathwork component of MindBodyOne ™ is
drawn from traditional martial arts, but in some instances is nearly identical
with the ujjayi (“victorious breath”) as taught in Sudarshan Kriya
yoga. This and other techniques of yogic breathing have been examined in
research studies for its ability to lower stress hormone levels and ameliorate
the symptoms of depression.
2. Mindfulness and Focusing. The mindfulness component
of MindBodyOne ™, as indicated by research on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction,
can enhance one’s ability to self-regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Focusing (a core technique of Gendlin’s Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy)
places awareness on very subtle internal bodily sensations, for example,
the "felt sense" of emotions.
3. Self-defense. The self-defense component of the program
increases participants’ sense of self-efficacy, the belief that one could
do something if one wanted to. Research has demonstrated that self-efficacy
in one area of life—self-defense, for example—can be generalized
to other areas of life. In MindBodyOne™, the emphasis is in translating
one’s self-efficacy in self-defense more broadly into interpersonal realms
of the workplace and family. In general, continued practice leads to an
improved sense of self-esteem.
4. Self-regulation. According to Daniel Goleman, a critical element of emotional intelligence is emotional self control. The inability to self-regulate in intense emotional states may determine one's impulsivity, a factor often associated with anger problems. Self-regulation is a skill that can be acquired, ideally under realistic conditions such as those encountered in MindBodyOne™. With this skill, one can communicate in times of duress, when emotions run hot, and conflicts seem inssurmoutable. As such, self-regulation is an important element of Commensa training, e.g., Watch Your Words™—A Workshop in Mindful Communication.
Core Practice
The core practice of MindBodyOne ™ is a self-defense "script",
a series of formal, highly choreographed movements that combine self-defense,
breathwork, and mindfulness into a single exercise. The presence of choreographed
“scripts” is a common element among many eastern arts. For example, in the
Japanese
tea ceremony, cha-dō, the script followed by a person preparing
tea emphasizes harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Thus, the “goal” of the tea ceremony script is as much the inner transformation
of server and guest as it is the preparation and serving of tea. Likewise,
the moves, breathwork, and mindfulness embedded in the MindBodyOne ™ self-defense
script is ultimately about changing the practitioner’s state of mind.
CALL NOW at (541) 326-0848 or email to info@commensa.org