1. Breathing

Activation of TVA (Transverse Abdonomis, deepest core muscle) + all other muscles that control the lungs and the rib cage, etc that make maximum breathing possible and enhances it. Bracing the core.

2. Motion:

The Chinese call breathing and movement, ‘Meditation and Motion’. Today it is known as ‘Coordination’. Coordination is when our movements and our breathing are working as one. When we have this, we can learn skills with correct techniques faster and more efficiently, we can dance to music rhythmically as we can follow a beat and move to it. We increase our chances of a more healthier and productive life.

The huaman brain will shut down any muscles that don’t get used through inactivity or incorrect movements. It is like when you turn off the light in a room at night to conserve energy. The human brain works on the same principals. The muscles in our bodies need to exercise like a dog needs daily exercise. When a muscle is deactivated, it will stop moving and scar tissue (knots etc) will form around the muscle causing stress and fatigue. As that particular muscle has stopped working, we still need to move so other muscles will take over that movement. Those other muscles are desinged only to do their job and are now doing extra work. It is like going to work to do your job but you are having to do others people’s job as well. This is stressful and exshuasting.

Optimal movement – PICR (Pathway of Instantaneous Center of Rotation). This relates to the detailed movement (push and pull) at the joints in coordination with all breathing patterns and correct muscle activation for each type of movement. This means that correct movement generally means the correct muscle are creating those movements.

3. Vision

The is the mind’s window and information gatherer which allows the mind to process the incoming information of the required tasks. How the eyes takes the body to its destination. During rotational movements (spin dribble etc) the quicker your eyes can lock on to a target, the quicker you can execute your movement.

4. Footwork

Mobility, Mode of Transport, balance. The quicker your eyes can lock on to it’s target, the sooner you feet (and other parts of the body required for the skill) can complete the move. You can increase your quickness and agility by simply having good vision combined with good footwork.

5. Rhythm

Incorporates applications 1 – 4. Every athlete seeks better rhythm in their sport; every person seeks rhythm in life through dance and music and daily activities. Once these are understood and developed, then mind, body and soul can become one.

• One-handed behind the back passing in rhythm

These five steps can be practised every day, throughout the day, while seated or standing, while walking, working or doing house chores. By using correct movement patterns in everyday life, your body mimics a dynamo and you recycle, store and use energy productively. Once you grasp this and have control over your movements, your mind and body becomes a synthesised /automated hydraulic machine.

Summary of Phase 1 and 2

You will have grasped an understanding of the internal mechanisms that control our every day movements – From Breathing to Rhythm.

• Origin of Motion

Where and how all movements start and travel.

• Terminology

Bones – origins, insertions, actions.

• Muscles

Correct movements, activation, and correct firing sequence.

• Movements

Connection of neurons with the body: Nerve impulses-chemical and electrical. Muscle fibre memory.

Medical Laws

Definitions and how they apply to this concept.

• Davis’s law
  If the muscle attachments are brought closer together, then the amount of tension in the muscle increases and hypertrophy may occur. If the muscle attachments are brought further apart, then the tension is decreased thereby weakening the muscle.
• Wolf’s Law
  Every change in the form and foundation of a bone, or in its function alone, is followed by certain definite changes in its internal architecture and secondary alterations in its external conformation (form follows function).
  Bones don’t move or change by themselves.
• Sherrington’s Law
  A tight agonist will inhibit it’s functional antagonist. This leads to decrease neural activation and fatigued of the antagonist during functional movements. A short agonist will contract before long antagonist in co-contractions.
• Law of Facilitation
  When an impulse has passed once through a set of neutrons to the exclusion of others, it will tend to take the same course in future occasions and each time it transverse this path, the resistance will be less.