Take Back Control
Classes this week worked with experiencing ways of perceiving, specifically the traditional tai chi teaching based on the concept of placing the mind in the abdominal area referred to as the Dantian or Hara. Rather than using the mind to visualise an image within the abdomen students placed their hands on their lower abdominal area and were asked to notice what they felt. We discussed how the mind may focus on this as felt by the hand, felt by the skin of the abdomen or felt by muscles, tendons or facia inside the abdomen.
This highlighted the practice of Embodied Tai Chi as a means to develop greater sensitivity and awareness of our internal physical self. A sensitivity that can not only lead to better physical and emotional stability but also unfold a greater awareness of others and our environment. This represents a rebalancing from a dominant thinking/ logical cultural perspective towards a more body based intuitive way of being.
A radio programme broadcast on the way home from the last class of the day added to our exploration of Tai Chi as a way to unfold our personal perception. The programme (BBC 2024) discussed how research indicated a growing cultural trend for young adults to perceive control over their lives as being in the hands of others – an external locus of control. The contributor suggesting this may be the result of economic pressure related to housing or the influence of social media. Along with global factors including climate change and armed conflict it is easy to see how an increase in external locus of control results in feelings of helplessness.
Embodied Tai Chi can enable a greater internal sensitivity, a trust in self or an internal locus of control (O’Bryan 2024). At the same time students develop a self calming posture and ways of breathing that can prevent us being overwhelmed by that same sensitivity. As we discussed in our classes we can develop a greater potential for perceiving our world through practicing Tai Chi. This view is supported by research stated;
‘ to promote pro-environmental behaviour through environmental protection education, people’s self-control awareness must be strengthened to enable them to remain calm and peaceful.’ (Chiang et al 2019)
We seek a balance between internal body and external mind ways of perceiving. We ‘take back control’ through trusting our ‘gut’ feelings as much as our intellectual thinking. We have both internal and external locus of control.
Reference
BBC (2024) AntiSocial – Are ‘kidults’ a problem? : from 33 min, Released On: 26 Apr 2024, Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Nathan Gower Editor: Penny Murphy, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001yj6g , accessed 2nd May 2024
Chiang, Y., Fang, W., Kaplan, U., & Ng, E. (2019). Locus of Control: The Mediation Effect between Emotional Stability and Pro-Environmental Behavior. Sustainability.
O’Bryan Amanda (2024) Internal vs External Locus of Control; 7Examples and Theories; last modified 11th March 2024, https://positivepsychology.com/internal-external-locus-of-control/ , accessed 2nd May 2024, Doc; Locus
