An Uncommon Approach to Physical Practice

This may seem like an article primarily concerned with the body, and indeed, the body and how to improve it will not be left aside. However, despite the persistent focus on bodily references, we are about to explore a much broader landscape encompassing creativity, health, aesthetics, wellness, and the holistic state in which they coexist, whether harmoniously embraced or reluctantly endured.

It's worth noting that the need for this clarification might seem redundant because, in the pursuit of financial prosperity, a substantial number, if not all, of those engaged in this quest tend to magnify the importance of physical development and can sometimes become overly fixated on very outlined and strict routines. The obsession with sculpting the perfect physique becomes intertwined with the relentless pursuit of financial success.

It's not meant as a critique; rather, it's an acknowledgment of the undeniable connection between physical activity and what it signifies for our self-image, identity, and daily routines. This connection becomes strikingly apparent when one has experienced firsthand how improvements in physical well-being positively impact the pursuit of personal goals.

Everything unfolds within the confines of our body, shaped by our perception of it and the boundaries we acknowledge. It's no surprise, then, to understand that the notion of expanding, fortifying, and enhancing our physical vessel has a counterpart—an interconnected reflection—in various other facets of our existence.

In this exploration, I aim to offer an alternative perspective on achieving the same underlying purposes. While at times these viewpoints may appear to be in direct contrast (and indeed, they often are) to conventional consensus, it's essential to recognize that physical practice, as viewed through the Western lens and its impact on mental and spiritual well-being, can be considered a subset of slightly more esoteric practices.

It's worth noting that these practices take on a different light when you delve deeper into their understanding. There's no intention in this article or those that follow to shroud them in an aura of unattainability. You need not scale a thousand levels to attain wellness.

But we are here to be free, or at least to find solace in knowing we're on the path to conquer it. It's not about replacing one rigid scheme with another. Embracing occasional deviations, be they momentary or more extended, is integral to genuine fulfillment. When we cultivate awareness, the return to the most fruitful path becomes an inevitable choice.

The Body

Within the realm of fitness and the pursuit of physical betterment, many individuals often find themselves immersed in the intricate labyrinth of metrics, data tables, and meticulously devised calendars. Each workout is flawlessly outlined, and every exercise is prescribed with precision akin to a mathematician's theorem. The focal point remains steadfast on the calculation of not just the weights lifted but also the sets and repetitions, a perpetual quest for incremental progress that inches closer to predefined objectives.

It transcends the mere act of exercise; it delves into the scientific dissection of every nutrient—proteins, carbohydrates, fats—each ingested with exact scrutiny. Labels are examined with exacting precision, calories precisely tallied, and even the realm of enigmatic chemical compounds explored, all in the relentless pursuit of that elusive state of 'feeling good.' Yet, one cannot help but wonder: does true well-being genuinely manifest amidst this ceremonial and protocol-driven journey?

For some, this disciplined approach exerts a magnetic pull, akin to a captivating serenade. The allure of graphs, spreadsheets, and devised weekly schedules proves irresistible. It satiates that goal-oriented facet of the human psyche, offering structured pathways, discernible patterns, and unwavering directives. Yet, what proves intriguing is that all this rigor, this intricate rite, often appears to find more profound resonance in alternative domains—not where it should rightfully hold the most significance, but rather in the domain of movement, strength, and the spirit's quest for liberty.

You see, the very core of physical activity resides in the simplicity of motion, in the primal force of muscles stretching and contracting, the rhythmic cadence of a heart immersed in the act of living, and the unbridled euphoria of experiencing the caress of the wind upon one's skin while running, leaping, and dancing. It embodies the liberty to explore the boundless potential of one's physical being, unrestricted by the rigid confines of orchestrated routines or the relentless pursuit of numerical perfection.

Ultimately, it becomes imperative to strike a harmonious balance between the structured realm of fitness tracking and the innate, almost instinctual longing for liberty and spontaneity. After all, the most genuine measure of well-being isn't invariably unearthed within numerical data or the confines of scrupulous documentation; it is, in its purest form, discovered in the sheer pleasure of motion, the fortitude of the spirit, and the unrestrained joy of embracing the vibrant essence of existence within one's own corporeal vessel.

Here, I propose to start drawing the distinction. This metric-centered approach initiates the preliminary assessment of numerous aspects of the body, incorporating them into the inaugural row of the table, which will subsequently facilitate the visualization of progression.

We embark from the starting point of a body, with its limits clearly defined in inches and pounds driven by the explicit purpose of expanding those limits while documenting every progression.

This stands in contrast to a slightly more ambitious perspective, one that approaches things differently. It doesn't begin by setting limits; instead, it expands the body to encompass the entire universe from the outset. In this view, our experienced body exists at the very center where everything beyond it is also experienced.

And, of course, when seen and felt through one's rigid concept of the body perception, it might appear nothing more than a hippie, new-age rant. This is understandable because we are essentially wired to function within this paradigm. Evolutionary, it holds no greater significance than the representation of a lion in our mental universe differing from the actual field-structure of a lion ready to disintegrate the field-structure in which our psyche resides.

Or, indeed, it does! However, this might seem like an impossible mind game. If you've never ventured beyond the programmed confines of your body, this entire concept can come across as new-age quackery. On the other hand, if you've glimpsed the possibility of transcending these limits, or better yet, have strived not to confine yourself to them, then this discussion starts to hold little meaning because you're already aware of the direction where I'm heading.

Physical exercise activates and unties specific centers and this, let me call it energy for lack of another word does not require prior agreement to directly understand what we are talking about. This energy, although it may seem strange, could become consciousness, heightened consciousness.

This elevated consciousness has its own unique ways, often perceived as unorthodox by reason because it transcends the fear-related paths that typically dictate the body to conform to certain dimensions (referring to physical measurements here, not non-ordinary realms). It's worth noting that I'm not necessarily referring to primitive patterns when discussing this fear, or at least not strictly speaking. An animal, while having somehow a perception of its bodily outline, simultaneously holds no preconceptions about the limits of its capabilities.

The lesser consciousness operates on an intrinsic algebraic and trigonometric level, prompting the muscles to potentially seek an escape route. This lesser consciousness cannot pause for philosophical contemplation since its survival hinges on rapid and instinctive responses. Then there is a more modern set of rules generated by our neocortex that decorates many of the shots of the oldest areas, slowing us down, and making us doubt, and distrust our abilities. Of course, they have their place in a civilized world, and I am not here to despise them.

Ultimately, this third, higher layer isn't readily accessible and often emerges serendipitously in exceptional situations, unless intentionally sought. When cultivated, it assumes command and guides behavior, skillfully selecting the most appropriate approach from the other two depending on the specific context."
The key point is that a significant portion of the released energy is expended during the exercise itself, leading to exhaustion. Another portion is allocated for repairs, and the remaining part contributes to growth.

Coming back to the main point, even in conventional training, there exists a portion of this energy that can be harnessed for non-physical purposes—a modest fraction often discussed for its role in accelerating the achievement of our goals. While it may be minuscule in quantity, its remarkable potency leaves a discernible impact on the lives of those who manage to unlock these reservoirs of power.

For this reason, the obsession with physical routine becomes a recurring topic in forums that talk about personal progress, focus, creativity, and better financial positioning.

What I propose and which, of course, is not something of my authorship nor am I the channel through which its benefits are dispensed. It is first, abandoning any attempt to organize the structure of a practice that we associate with the body.

Scales, measuring tape, and chronographs should be set aside, much like the chimpanzee that doesn't plan when it will swing from branch to branch or count its jumps. Neither a planned routine nor a diet filled with powdered supplements can surpass the benefits of the unstructured approach and its fig-rich diet.

The Practice

Ideally, it's something you continuously do, or at least integrate into a day when you have other things going on. For example, you can practice during the gap between two tasks, while you're on your way to the car, or even stand while waiting in the supermarket queue without the person further back in the line noticing. Believe me, it's possible.

But it's not a big deal if you have no choice but to allocate, say, an hour in the morning when you wake up a little time before bed or both. The important thing is that the organization is put aside during the practice period.

We won't attempt to create a structure or choreography because both will naturally evolve without your intervention. On the other hand, we won't emphasize overload and exhaustion because it's these very factors that lead to diffusion, causing us to squander our physical and mental explosiveness, as well as the plasticity that, beyond the body, finds its mental counterpart in creativity.

Assume a stance position. If this is a bit challenging, adopt a posture close to your natural standing position, but try to lean ever so slightly forward to distribute your body weight from your heels to your shoulders, creating a gap in the arches of your feet.

As an initial, simple exercise (since it's not the time to present a full gallery of physical-mental movements in this single post), you should decouple your head, shifting your identified "control node" to let each lower center take charge one at a time. Gradually, the one located in the area near the navel, slightly lower and deeper inside the body, should become the one controlling both the "center of gravity" and the initial impulse that generates your body's movement.

It's almost inevitable that initial attempts, whether on the first day or in the early weeks or months, may be limited to imagining and thinking about that center's movement, without truly disconnecting from higher psychic activity. These mental gadgets—thinking and imagining—are still primarily operating in the upper regions of the body, where we typically employ these tools to 'believe' in things. We don't want this, but while this phase may be necessary and challenging to bypass, our ultimate goal is to move beyond it.

Now, in a way similar to the exercises you undertook in the first days of your life when your vision center didn't impose boundaries on the information it processed, and thus, your hands clumsily reached out for what was beyond your grasp, you'll attempt to do the same.
Allow your waist to twist to one side. When it naturally reaches its unforced limit, let your neck continue the movement elastically and effortlessly. Your eyes will then find a point or object in the environment that is certainly distant from you.

Don't imagine you can grasp it by extending your hands; instead, disconnect that part of you that insists you can't. Reach out and bring the object towards you with your hands. Then, turn to the other side and repeat the same with another object situated on that side.
The head, that intense focal point within your dull skull, remains uninvolved. You'll likely repeat this exercise, selecting the same two objects for convenience several times.

At some point, and in a non-forced way, you will eventually choose an object out of your reach that is a little higher or lower; consequently, when turning your waist to the opposite side, you will try to find another one that is more or less at the same level. One, two, three, ten times. No need to count; the body will begin to perform slightly more complex sequences.

However, at some point, your body "awakens." Suddenly, your reflexes direct you to choose different objects. Sooner or later, your body becomes infused with an unfamiliar vigor, and your movements take on a new dynamic. Unplanned sequences emerge, and the reach of your limbs extends beyond previous limits.

You no longer have to worry about keeping the practice active because, like a loaded spring, it decides when it starts and when it is imperative to stop. And when does it stop? Well, that's not something you need to know. However, you will observe that something begins to accumulate to such an extent that pausing, temporarily halts further accumulation. In addition, the static dimension of time fosters a uniform distribution throughout everything you perceive as your body.

This sequence can begin again repeatedly, perhaps on that very first day or at a later time. Suddenly, there is nobody; everything you are encompasses all that you experience. Just as you shouldn't obsess over this happening soon (the benefits start before this), it's also not advisable to become enthralled with "this new state." While it's gratifying and inevitable to go through a phase where you attach importance to having discovered what was, in reality, always within your reach, becoming overly focused on the perceptual may veer slightly beyond the intended goal.

As you continue your practice, your inner observer will notice that over time, the body-mind develops a remarkable ability to compensate for these movements. Initially, these adjustments are subtle, but as you delve deeper into your practice, they become more pronounced. It's as if your body-mind is learning to respond to the opposing forces within, much like the way a flywheel compensates for different rotational forces. This internal 'click' that makes your movements more efficient begins to emerge. You'll sense that you can grab control seemingly out of nowhere, either stopping the spin or applying more force to your movements. It's akin to the delicate balance achieved by a flywheel as it counteracts external forces, ensuring a smooth and controlled rotation.

In the meantime, as we avoid weightlifting sessions and strenuous routines, you'll likely notice significant developments. Your muscle tone will improve, not in a bodybuilder-like fashion, but in a more refined manner. Simultaneously, your balance and proprioception will become sharper, and you may even experience a subtle, electrical-like sensation in the arches of your feet as if something is anchoring you to the ground. You'll also discover an enhanced capacity for explosive movements as if you've acquired the ability to channel your strength in a coordinated manner, akin to a wave traveling through the length of a whip. This newfound ability may manifest as a natural inclination towards making such dynamic movements.

What's fascinating about this entire process is that, much like engaging in more conventional sports, it unleashes a certain vitality – you can call it energy, prana, chi, or any other name you prefer. However, unlike traditional practices, it doesn't leave you feeling drained. Instead, it boosts your alertness and creativity. You won't find yourself caught in cycles of replenishing nutrients, drowsiness, and subsequent days of stiffness and fatigue. Instead, you'll steadily become more explosive, both physically and mentally. Your creativity will flourish, your focus will sharpen, and, as a result, you'll begin to see noticeable improvements.

It's also noteworthy that individuals with a genuine interest in specific physical attributes typically developed through more conventional practices, such as muscle bulk, may temporarily revert to those practices and experience an immediate impact on their speed and explosiveness. However, agility can be compromised during this return to conventional training. When transitioning back to internal practices, where the boundaries of form and the body's limits become less distinct, speed is swiftly regained. It's as if the perceived slowness, which we often consider normal, is inherently linked to the weight and size we associate with ourselves. When you cease attributing specific weight and size to your identity and shift your focus, these parameters quickly improve.

Eventually, we come to accept this new reality and realize that the values we once considered natural to our condition are merely deeply ingrained programming within us. There isn't necessarily a direct restriction associated with the characteristics of our body. In a way, we are all like grand tourers with a complex electronic limitation mechanism hidden somewhere within our being.

Now, with this new perspective, the notion of attempting to regiment the body's routine seems absurd. Even though the spontaneity we've achieved might occasionally lead us back to less cultivated practices (which are by no means negative), we do so naturally, without any elaborate ceremonies or strict protocols. Paradoxically, the very focus mechanism that once compulsively drove us to measure our progress becomes a hindrance as it distances us from our true potential.

For those who value the freedom to act at their own discretion, becoming entangled in fitness routines hardly seems like a worthwhile pursuit. Devoting precious mental resources to an obsession with exercise regimens means diverting psychic energy toward contemplating how you move rather than simply moving. This pattern can extend into other facets of life, from the hours allocated to less-than-productive work to even matters concerning sexual performance.

If you find it hard to resist the urge to apply templates or document your existence, consider simplifying your activities. Please understand that this is not an attempt to encourage grandiose delusions. Sometimes, it's worth contemplating whether a god, any god you believe in, needs to maintain detailed records of their daily activities. Is it misguided to aspire to move closer to that state, which you undoubtedly perceive as ideal?

Benefits

Rooting

This progressive shift of consciousness from upper physical regions (such as the head and higher areas) to lower ones, like the navel, might initially seem like a purely mental phenomenon. However, it encompasses two other aspects: one psychological and another physical.

Psychologically, this practice cultivates a more mature and balanced mindset. It's akin to shifting your core stability downward, grounding you in reality. It's like choosing not to get lost in aimless wanderings in the clouds, where distractions and uncertainties can lead to erratic behavior. While the journey to these mental heights might be momentarily exciting, it's not the place to build your foundation. Instead, opt for a more stable and grounded existence.

On a purely physical level, it becomes noticeably harder for you or others to disrupt your balance. The need for a detailed explanation of how this transformation occurs becomes unnecessary when one, through daily practice, experiences these facts becoming tangible.

However, if the desire for a rational explanation persists, and you seek an argument just to evaluate whether it's worth beginning this practice, you can consider the following:

You can think that there is a body, the real one, in which the dynamics that your mind creates manifest, everything you are and everything you know, the experience of that same body exists, in a certain way is like a map of the external real body. Basically, you are a little man living in a reality, a complete universe that resides in the realm of your mind, and that mind has its own ways of functioning in the "real world." When you feel a hand, your foot, perfume, etc., a background process is responsible for acting as an interface with the real world. The illusion is so intrinsically installed that even when reason grants it immediate veracity, it is almost impossible (and pointless) to try to give it credit.

When, through practice, you develop alternative patterns of interaction with those objects, such as rooting that aligns you with the center of the Earth, or when you attempt to reach objects seemingly beyond your grasp, certain dormant pathways of that interface gradually and slowly begin to take precedence. This interface plays a crucial role and influences the underlying mechanisms governing your interaction with the real world—muscles, tendons, and particularly the fascia. All these elements become strengthened and invigorated. You could almost describe it as an increase in electrical activity rather than a direct consequence of physical growth. Training within the realm of the mind yields tangible consequences in the physical world.

But I emphasize that it's valuable to engage in this practice with an open mind, observing the outcomes. Then, if the mental exercise continues to pique your interest despite the evident results, you can delve into it with a greater personal dedication to enhance your experience.

My approach is not founded on the premise of 'wholeheartedly believing in these concepts and performing them.' In fact, engaging in excessive imagination within this context can be counterproductive. It's important to note that belief and unchecked imagination can lead you to float like a balloon in the sky, keeping you firmly in the higher realms. Instead, I recommend executing this sequence of movements while maintaining a skeptical yet open-minded stance – neither wholly embracing nor outright rejecting these ideas.

Focus

When the vital nucleus is centered at a point distant from the hubs that fuel verbosity and the mental cacophony of swiftly shifting from one thought to another without completing anything significant, a certain void emerges. However, it's crucial to emphasize that this void should not be mistakenly associated with passivity, inactivity, or a lack of mental acuity.

In reality, the opposite is true. As the mind stops expending energy on constant chatter and context-switching, intention gains ample space to unfold its actions. Distractions simply vanish. The concept of 'being focused,' often associated with self-willed efforts to stay on a chosen path without interruption, takes on a different dimension. No longer do shiny objects float through the mental space, attempting to momentarily capture your attention. Consequently, the need for willpower to act as a dictatorial force over oneself, just to stay on track, diminishes.

Instead of struggling against distractions, everything that might divert our attention simply ceases to exist, at least temporarily. This state is often referred to as Flow.

Calm

With fewer distractions and fewer compulsions, many things we once considered essential for our well-being suddenly lose their perceived indispensability. You know the scenario: you set out to complete a task, and it dawns on you that you need an ideal setup, which, in turn, demands acquiring a dozen tools. You contemplate needing one vehicle for grocery shopping and another for vacations, and why not a motorcycle to collect/ packages from lockers? Occasionally, some exercise is in order, and a touring bike might be better suited than a mountain bike you already own...

This continuous chain of perceived needs, which can essentially be severed at any point, even at its root that spawned the rest, results in restlessness, expenses, and actions that distance us from what truly brings us joy and peace of mind. I must emphasize that I'm not advocating for the reverse process of enumerating possessions to discard. The latter is equally undesirable and implies an attachment, but it's merely from the opposite perspective. The important aspect is that this type of practice, aimed at enhancing grounding, curbs obsessive behaviors.

Health

In general, barring a few exceptional cases, the perception of the vital flow often colloquially referred to as 'energy' is noticeably diminished. Sedentary lifestyles, indoor environments artificially heated in winter and cooled in summer, a lack of physical movement, and when exercise does occur, it often happens in areas saturated with pollution, noise, and dense atmospheres – all of these factors contribute to the dwindling of this vital flow. Even when individuals engage in physical exercise to boost this energy flow, they frequently find that the increase is swiftly depleted in the process of exhaustion and subsequent regeneration. Any small positive surplus, if discernible at all, tends to be fleeting.

Personal issues, conflicts, traumas, and even physical injuries can lead to blockages in the circulation of this vital energy. Even a minimal surplus becomes problematic when it encounters constrictions in the channels through which it should flow freely. You may have experienced symptoms of this, such as neck pain, weakness in the extremities, particularly the legs, and a lack of control over them. On one hand, it can be challenging to detect what is lacking, but on the other hand, it can become a nuisance when its manifestation is painful, a moderate flow hindered by obstructions in its path.

As the flow is restored, health tends to improve rapidly. Traditional physical exercise makes you aware of a new vitality in your muscles, while internal practices add that renewed flow to your fascia and internal organs. This increased awareness, which few usually experience, allows your internal observer to make certain adjustments that would be impossible without both that perceptual feedback and the ability to influence or 'touch' those areas that require specific care in different circumstances.

Energy Redirection

By consistently engaging in practices that promote movement without exhausting our potential, and by activating typically dormant neural centers, we create an environment with several advantages. This includes having more energy, clearer channels for its circulation, and an increased ability to receive and utilize this energy. These combined conditions allow us to experience a more abundant flow of this beneficial energy, which naturally finds its way to where it's needed most.

It's not about consciously directing energy to specific body parts ("now I'll send energy to my knee" or "now to my head"). Instead, an intuitive and intelligent aspect within us subtly guides this potential, resulting in tangible improvements in health, vitality, and overall well-being.

The Interplay of Health, Wealth, and Creative Success

Within the domain of inner practices that prioritize energy cultivation and personal development, a significant connection emerges between physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. These practices emphasize the nurturing of vital energy, often known as 'life force' or 'inner vitality.' Through consistent training, individuals improve their overall health, attain a profound inner serenity, and sharpen their concentration. Yet, the advantages extend well beyond these specific areas.

The newfound sense of grounding and centeredness nurtured by these practices not only improves physical health but also positively influences personal relationships. When individuals are more balanced and at ease within themselves, they tend to engage with others more harmoniously, nurturing stronger bonds and healthier connections.

Moreover, the ability to harness and redirect this newfound inner energy can create the conditions for success in various aspects of life, including personal and professional well-being. With improved vitality and mental clarity, individuals often discover heightened creativity and innovative thinking, which can translate into enhanced personal growth and career advancement. The state of 'flow' achieved through these practices, where distractions dissipate, allows for the efficient execution of tasks and the manifestation of creative ideas.

These inner practices provide a holistic approach to personal development that goes beyond the confines of physical health. By nurturing the body, mind, and spirit, individuals can unlock the potential for greater success and prosperity in their creative endeavors and life pursuits.