Let your other hand play its part too
Published: Fri, 06/29/18
We have many benefits from the information technology revolution which has swept the world in the past 20 years. On line gaming, so that you can always win a bit of extra cash when you need it, hundreds of friends you have never actually have to meet in the real world, on line shopping so we don’t need actual high streets any more in our towns and cities, infinite access to pornography for all tastes. Always something to read on your screen so you don’t have to actually get on with anything useful. And, I am being hypocritical because I am sending you this post and hoping you will read it.
Another problem with widespread use of computers is the physical damage it does. Poor posture and lack of exercise is a common result of spending too much time at a screen. Even if you do manage to balance your life with limited screen time and an otherwise active life, there is still the problem of repetitive strain injury (RSI) which can come from using a mouse on a regular basis. Manipulating a computer mouse is a rather strange and unnatural movement and strained wrists are a common problem. I became aware of this risk as soon as I started using a computer on a regular basis. I am mainly right handed but I made a decision to always use my mouse with my left hand. Writing with my left hand would be difficult but most other activities can be done with either hand if you try. Using my mouse left handed shares out the strain between my wrists (I have two of them so why not let them both do their fair share?) and I do not usually
have any problems with my right wrist. If I have strained my right side in some way then I don’t make the situation worse by using the mouse in my right hand as well. I can also continue working on my computer if I need to.
So, when someone tells me about the RSI they are suffering from I suggest that they just learn how to use their other hand to operate their computer mouse. The usual reaction is that they can see the sense in my suggestion but can’t face the effort they think will be required to actually use their non-dominant hand for this task. Maybe it is too much to ask, it seems like a simple enough idea to me, it would just need a willingness to try and be persistent. But, I can already use my mouse left handed so maybe I am just not appreciating what a challenge it would be to someone who has not even tried.
Perhaps a bigger problem goes back much further than our dependence upon IT. Ever since we started reading there has been an unconscious assumption that learning takes place through absorbing information into the brain. Learning through movement is seen as somehow inferior to intellectual attainment. I love reading and I learn a lot from the written word, as I am sure you do. But we do not have brains and a nervous system to enable us to read books. Our nervous system exists to facilitate movement and activity and development of the whole person is stimulated and encouraged by activity and action. This is why healthy babies and small children (and all young animals) are restless, active and curious, this is how they develop and learn about the world.
Therefore, physical activity, and learning though the body, is essential throughout life if we are going to stay healthy and capable of meaningful action. We talk about Stav training as a body, mind and spirit development system because it develops the whole person. The real value of martial arts training is in movement and in challenging the whole person to develop. Self-defence may come into it but the real battle is with inaction and the decline in our ability to use our bodies and be fully alive. This is why, when teaching Stav and encouraging students to make Stav a daily practice, the physical training is so important. The stances being the basis of Stav practice but there is a lot more you could do. This is also the difference between those who talk a good game and those who really take action and see the results. If you want to see different results in your life, you need to take different action. It may be something as
basic as using your mouse with your other hand. It might mean a daily commitment to some serious training. Either way you will need action if you really want your life to change.
regards
Graham
PS I am aware that different people have different capabilities in term of action and movement. What is important is to use what you are capable of, and are willing to challenge your limits. I have two dates for Foundation programme days scheduled for the autumn, 6th October and 3rd November. Having tried two foundation seminars so far this year I realise that men and woman have different needs as far as the programmes are concerned. With men I can do a foundation day using the animal exercises and some weapon training to explore the stances and ways of using them. For women it seems that working with the stances and some cudgel work is appropriate but more time should be spent on using the runes in other ways as well. I am not going to exclude men or women from either event but it seems to me that two very different programmes need to be provided for different needs. In both cases physical activity will be a requirement, I am
not prepared to offer a Stav training session which does not include everyone doing the stances and some activity to understand the web and principles in a practical way.
If anyone is interested in doing the foundation programme and a training day then please see https://iceandfire.org.uk/foundation.html also, let me know which kind of seminar you are more likely to be interested in and I will see what I can schedule.