Intent and Intensity by Lynn Seiser
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Two words I apply to sport psychology for performance enhancement and
training are intent and intensity. Intent refers to mental activity
while intensity refers to the physical activities used.
Intent: directed with attention and concentration towards some end
or purpose; the determination to act in a specific way; resolve; to do
or achieve; aim, end, goal, meaning, and purpose.
Intensity: exhibiting strong feelings and earnestness of purpose; an
exception or extreme degree of activity; great energy, determination
and concentration; degree of strength, force, energy, or feelings;
depth.
As a convincer exercise, I have people stand and put forward their
strongest arm. I apply resistance downward while they resist. This is
not a power struggle, but a test to calibrate their strength. I ask
them to think of something positive and test their strength. Then I
ask them to think of something negative. I ask them to think of
something that is true. Something that is false. Something that is
good for them. Something they know is bad. The positive, true, and
good all test stronger. The negative, false, and bad test weaker. The
exercise simply illustrates that the mind and body are connected and
unified. The body does follow the mind.
As a big guy, most people see me coming and they stop their focus on
my body size. They also think they have to give me more power. When
they stop their focus at my body, all their energy stops there too. I
already have them. I have their minds. When they try to give me more,
well I know how to handle more. Like most areas in life, the subtle
and gentle takes my balance. When I tell them to focus their eyes and
mind through me as if I was not there, they walk right through me.
I was asked to help a Kohai learn to do high rolls. When I watched
them I could see that their mind, their intent, was so focused on the
obstacle that everything they had stopped there. I told them to look
at the far wall. Now run towards it. The body naturally went over the
obstacle.
These are powerful demonstrations of intent. What do you intend to do?
How far do you intend to go? Your intent will focus your intensity.
If your intent is to learn Aikido as a martial art suitable for
self-defense, your intensity on offense and defense will be high. If
your intent is to learn Aikido for fitness, movement, social, or
self-transformation, your intensity will be different and the words
offense and defense may never apply. Your intensity will reflect your
intent. The body and the mind are unified.
At first our intent and intensity is haphazard at best. We just try to
execute the technique the best we can. After a period of consistent
and persistent training, we begin to consciously focus on the intent
and intensity to make it appropriate for the situation. Later, we
relax, breathe, and enjoy the process of allowing the situation to
direct the intent and intensity necessary and appropriate.
Thanks for listening, the opportunity to be of service, and for
sharing the journey. Now, get back to training. KWATZ!
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Lynn Seiser (b. 1950 Pontiac, Michigan) Ph.D. has been a perpetual
student of martial arts, CQC/H2H, FMA/JKD, and other fighting systems
for over 37 year. He currently trains and hold the rank of Sandan
(3rd degree Black Belt) in Tenshinkai Aikido under Sensei Dang Thong
Phong at the Westminster Aikikai
Dojo in Southern California. He is the co-author, with Phong
Sensei, of Aikido Basics (2003), and the (2006) Advanced Aikido
Concepts and Aikido Buki-waza for Tuttle Publishing. His martial art
articles have appears in Black Belt Magazine, Aikido Today Magazine,
and Martial Arts and Combat Sports Magazine. He is the founder of Aiki-Solutions
and is an internationally respected psychotherapist in the clinical
treatment of offenders and victims of violence, trauma, and abuse
living in Marietta, GA.
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