Re: Do we have to slow down or have decreased function as we age?

Christopher Richards — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:34:19 -0000

As we age, we may not be as physically active, but that doesn't mean we cannot stay healthy. Nevertheless, there has to be cultural support for looking after ourselves. I am 'standing' at my computer writing this, yet offices are designed for people to sit in all day, cars too. There isn't much cultural support for looking after your body.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where there is a significant Chinese population. I see people practicing slow and graceful movements to Chi-Gung (Qigong) in parks, in on the street, in fact in all kinds of places. Many of these people are what you would describe as old-old.

I've had a daily practice of Chi-Gung for about 10 years. You don't need to go anywhere. Once you learn the form, you have a daily practice which is based on movements thousands of years old.

Neuroscience confirms that proprioceptors, nerve cells that measure the stretch of the body as it moves in space, grow as we develop new needs. We grow brain cells when we develop new skills.

Balance is one thing that the aging population loses if it ignores the need for practice. It appears embedded in the Chinese culture that old people should look after their bodies. Chi-Gung goes beyond enhancing physical balance and flexibility, it has a calming effect on the mind.

I suggest there is huge benefit to a daily practice of the most simple, slow and gentle exercise, that over time grows a new reality.

(I have a short video at exerciseslow.com)

Re: 7 ways to stifle your creativity

Christopher Richards — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:12:05 -0000

Well done! You have some first-class ways of stifling creativity. However, I think you have missed a couple. I suggest being an adult is the default way of severely reducing your creativity. Graduating from college is a high-risk procedure that normally leads to excessive conformity. But to live in society we suffer these sorts of things and if we have some experience that allows us to unlearn the damage done by our educational system, then we run the risk of being authentic and creative. Stamping out creativity is usually the first goal of any bureaucracy. Organizations are very skilled at nipping any creativity in the bud.
I would be careful about reading though. One can readily incubate creative ideas when reading. I think not reading would be much safer. Also, be sure to stay away from art and theater. Do not on any account let yourself take a theatrical improvisation class. I did and my creativity quotient shot up. Be careful.
Of course slowing down (www.SlowDownNow.org) is the thing you must stay well away from. Keep busy. Keep active. Make sure you are doing more than one thing at a time and you'll be safe from any siren call of a muse.

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Re: Do we have to slow down or have decreased function as we age?

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