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| Memory | ||
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Memory problems
A lot of adults worry about problems with
their memory.
Sometimes they may have legitimate reason to be
concerned.
However, the problem often lies with
expectations and use of the brain, not with the
functionality of
memory itself.
Familiar
Memories are recorded all the time.
It is an involuntary process.
The more frequently you perform an activity or a
situation, the more readily accessible the memory
will be.
We are checking our smartphones on
average 221 times a day. Recent research found that 80 percent of
millennials look at their phones upon waking; this addiction is a strong
one. As a result, our cognitive processing has become shallower and we have
become so distracted that we play directly into the hands of the autopilot.
Digital devices are the modern day equivalent of tranquillisers. They instil
a trance-like state almost immediately as they are anchors for our
subconscious to take over.
(Chris Barez-Brown)
Expectations
People have naive expectations regarding memory. We usually remember what
we need for day-to-day functionality.
The name of somebody we worked with 10 years ago is simply not relevant
since we do not encounter them with any regularity.
What did you eat for your evening meal on the 15th of August three years
ago?
Unreliable
Scientific studies have proven that human memory is far from reliable. Even
events that we imbue with great significance are always remembered
partially.
Plus, we change. How we see the world alters as we grow, experience, reflect
and re-evaluate.
Could the viewpoint of a child conceivably be compared to that of an
adult? Are your childhood memories remotely accurate?
Compartmentalising
Most people compartmentalise their tai chi training. They attend one lesson
a week and do no training at home between lessons.
Sketchy
When the student thinks about class on the day of class their brain begins
to refresh the components associated with the tai chi class.
By the time the individual arrives at class, they are once more familiar
with tai chi, the class and what to expect. But the memories from the
previous week are a little sketchy.
Cheating
One danger in a tai chi class lies with copying other students or seeking to
copy the teacher. This is a major folly. Copying is lazy.
You are relying upon somebody else's memory rather than exercising your own.
By cheating you are not learning or
understanding anything.
Daily practice
A tai chi student who trains every morning between lessons is far more
likely to remember the art than a student who only practices once a week in
class.
The movements and exercises are familiar because they do them every day.
Frequency creates habit patterns in the body.
Muscle memory
One major advantage of consistent on-going home practice is the cultivation
of muscle memory. Rather than having to recall every movement, the
exponent's body knows where to go and what to do.
This is the first step in moving in a tai chi way... What's the catch?
To accomplish this, frequent, mindful practice
is needed. There's no other way to attain this skill.
The more often your body performs tai chi movements, the more likely it is
to remember them automatically.
Autopilot
High repetition of qigong and tai chi movements results in muscle memory.
The muscles are familiar with how and where to move and the brain directs
the action.
It will feel as though they moved by themselves. This is essentially no
different to what happens when you drive a bicycle or a car.
However, with tai chi you are learning long, complex sequences of
movements/combat drill/applications, so the challenge is greater and more
diverse. The advantage of muscle memory is habit.
You do not have to think as much. You can become immersed in the event
itself.
Class time
The student who practices on a daily basis
does not attend weekly lessons for a reminder/refresher. Instead, they seek
new material, corrections, refinements and insights.
Each lesson is deeper and more productive.
Presence
Class time can be used more productively when your mind is actually on the
task at hand.
If you are worrying, watching the clock or
thinking about something else then your brain is not going to be remembering
things too well. Meditate. Bring your mind back to what you are doing.
If your brain is anticipating something or you are daydreaming, what exactly
are you trying to remember at a later date? The activity itself, the train
of thought or the daydream?
Study
Reading The Tai Chi Classics
and more challenging theoretical books such as
The Art of War, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Tao
Te Ching, Tai Chi Theory & Martial Power, The Book of Five Rings
will prompt your brain to engage with the tai chi to a greater degree.
You invest more time and energy. By thinking,
contemplating and seeking to incorporate discoveries into your tai chi, the
art occupies a larger part of your memory.
Not only is memory involved, but the also problem-solving part of the brain.
Over time, your consciousness changes and you begin to see the art quite
differently.
Research
Beyond study is the pursuit of specific lines of inquiry. You scour the web
or read your books seeking a particular piece of information (i.e. what
is peng?).
Or you want to compare different approaches, insights or practices. Once
again, this process of engaging more fully assists in both your learning and
your recollection.
Anecdotal stories
Anecdotal stories provide an opportunity to look at tai chi/martial arts
practice in a more entertaining way. Rather than study in earnest, you can
read quite casually and just enjoy the story.
There are lessons to learn, things to avoid and ultimately your knowledge
may deepen in scope.
Examples: There Are No Secrets, Steal My Art, Gravity Never Stops, Zen
in the Martial Arts, The Power of Internal Martial Arts, Chinese Boxing
and Moving Zen.
Application in daily life
The strongest way to help your memory recall the tai chi is to take the
principles and insights
into your everyday life.
Make use of the art.
Do not compartmentalise it.
More...
Page created
18 March 1997
Last updated
16 June 2023