I heard recently on NPR that when we are bored our minds are in fact very active, particularly in the creative areas. The mind's job is to process information and if there is no stimulus on the outside to process then the mind will go inward to find stimulation. Yoga theory works in the same way. Hatha Yoga is essentially giving the mind very little outside stimulus so that it begins to make the journey to the inner terrain. We put the body in physical shapes based on sacred geometry and give the mind the simple jobs of keeping the eyes still, engaging the core, creating sound with breath and monitoring that sound. Compared to the high level multitasking and barrage of electronic stimulus that we normally require the mind to withstand, this is quite boring.
Of course I have experimented with practicing to music or entertaining students with ever changing creative sequencing, but I keep coming back to this idea that boring is better. The regular practice of a balanced sequence seems to be more effective.
Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise.
Alchemist's Precept
In fact, by giving the mind simple jobs, it is actually able to take deep rest. The activity in the creative parts of the brain does not fatigue the mind. This type of thought energizes the whole system.
In a recent study, half of the participants were asked to remember a 7 digit number and the other half were asked to remember a 2 digit number. At the end of the experiment, all the participants were offered a choice of a salad or a piece of chocolate cake. More of the people who had to remember the 7 digit number picked the chocolate cake and more of the people who were asked to remember the 2 digit number picked the salad. The researchers concluded that when the mind is fatigued, we simply do not have the energy to make positive lifestyle choices. Many scientists today make the argument that our minds are always fatigued with our modern lifestyles! We work more hours per day now with fewer hours devoted to rest and relaxation and the nervous system is constantly overstimulated with electronics. It is more important now than ever to find ways to give the mind rest like Hatha Yoga or meditation. When the mind is well rested, we have more energy to devote to more positive lifestyle choices and the journey of life is really just one long series of choices. Where you are now is a direct result of past choices and the future is determined by future choices.
Of course I have experimented with practicing to music or entertaining students with ever changing creative sequencing, but I keep coming back to this idea that boring is better. The regular practice of a balanced sequence seems to be more effective.
Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise.
Alchemist's Precept
In fact, by giving the mind simple jobs, it is actually able to take deep rest. The activity in the creative parts of the brain does not fatigue the mind. This type of thought energizes the whole system.
In a recent study, half of the participants were asked to remember a 7 digit number and the other half were asked to remember a 2 digit number. At the end of the experiment, all the participants were offered a choice of a salad or a piece of chocolate cake. More of the people who had to remember the 7 digit number picked the chocolate cake and more of the people who were asked to remember the 2 digit number picked the salad. The researchers concluded that when the mind is fatigued, we simply do not have the energy to make positive lifestyle choices. Many scientists today make the argument that our minds are always fatigued with our modern lifestyles! We work more hours per day now with fewer hours devoted to rest and relaxation and the nervous system is constantly overstimulated with electronics. It is more important now than ever to find ways to give the mind rest like Hatha Yoga or meditation. When the mind is well rested, we have more energy to devote to more positive lifestyle choices and the journey of life is really just one long series of choices. Where you are now is a direct result of past choices and the future is determined by future choices.
