Weekly Tune Up

Practicing Expansion in Challenging Moments
By Master David Alvas, Director

In the martial arts, we talk a lot about expansion and contraction as it relates to technique. We focus on how the body works, how it moves, and how it FEELS when it moves. We spend a lot of time on our state of mind during our training so that we can better develop our mind-body connection.

When a student is injured, we teach them how to expand past their injury with different types of breathing and a solid intention to move forward and grow from their setbacks.

The same can be achieved in our everyday lives. When bad news hits, our first response tends to be a contraction, a tightening up. We say to our selves “This can’t be happening!” We feel paralyzed. It is important that in this moment, we transform paralysis into proactive, productive action. Go completely into that moment and try to understand exactly what you are feeling and find the opportunity in the experience. If you look, you will find it. This will allow you to grow and to make better decisions down the line. Do everything you can to expand your thinking past the problem. We can never find a solution if we are focused on the problem, we must focus on the solution. When our minds learn to focus on finding the answers in challenging times rather than letting the situation paralyze us, only good things can happen. It may not always be what you want, but it will be what you need.

So take many deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, and focus on expanding your mind to find the solution.

Trust me, it is there.

Are you looking with the correct intention?

All the best,
David Alvas