The Yin and Yang of training
During my fitness journey, I have always struggled with my energy’s management. Working out in a club did more bad than good to me. In fact, most of fitness or sport clubs will never teach you how to manage your energy.
It is all about “no pain, no gain”. Even if some trainers say they do not agree with that philosophy, they’ll still be so afraid of laziness that they’ll try to push themselves and anyone else in a military way.
We are not all the same. Some people are more resistant than others. Some people can endure a military training, but most people don’t.
I look tough and I love martial arts but, for some reasons, I’m actually the kind of guy that would be the first to break under pressure.
It is not a question of will or motivation, it is just about knowing your body’s limitations.
You can find so many typical inspirational speeches on Youtube, like “never give up”, “stop complaining about your life”, “you are relentless and unstoppable”, blablabla.
I guess many people enjoy these speeches. Still, they are absolutely not my cup of tea and I highly doubt they can help anyone in the long term.
Instead, here some pieces of advice that I would like to hear from time to time:
- When you rest, focus on what you will do next. Imagine already what you will do and anticipate the satisfaction of overcoming a difficulty.
- Look for beauty and joy in everything you do. It is not beauty if you do not feel it now, and if you are not inspired by it.
- Bring as much energy as possible in your Heart and Lungs before starting any work.
- Even when you train, you need to tell a story, find a rythm, a harmony, a coherence, with ups and downs, relaxations and contractions, and changes of perspective.
- Ask yourself: my Liver (will) wants to do it, but does my Heart (identity) agrees with it ? Am I still united in myself or am I a bit schizophrenic ?
Simply put, training hard is not that complicated when you’re a bit crazy. What is even harder, is to train hard with softness…
The decision to develop awareness.
The desire for self-understanding.
Cheers !
