The Ancient Art of Alignment so We can Live Life Pain Free
By: Sergio Monteiro
“Few people appreciate the compound stress on pilots during flight. The mental side of it, we learn to deal with early in our careers. The physical side though gets worse the longer we fly. Firstly, we’re sat with our legs slightly raised, placing a large amount of stress on our lower back. Then we are constantly leaning from side to side reaching for maps and things and in essence rotating our spine from a position of weakness. Bearable on a short flight but very uncomfortable during a 15 hour long hau.l”
-Pilot working in Hong Kong
In a city like Hong Kong where the speed of business places heavy demands on one’s time, this pilots’ story is not singular. Many people, from many different professions, find themselves in a work schedule with insufficient time for both rest and treatment of stress such as back pain and postural imbalance.
So prevalent is this phenomenon that according to a study by the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; HK sufferers will wait longer to seek treatment than their counterparts in Britain. Aggravating further imbalances in muscle tension and turning small problems into big ones.
If left untreated, postural imbalances can dramatically reduce flexibility, restrict physical movement, and decrease quality of life. The pilot quoted above loves nothing more than spending time with his children and family. His quality of life cannot be compromised.
Chinese Kung Fu has remained one of the superior forms of fitness over the centuries. Most of the traditional Chinese Kung Fu systems are based on cultivating energy through mental focus and deep physical relaxation.
Kung Fu training is, on one level, primarily for self defense. On another, broader level, it builds self awareness, deep relaxation, postural alignment and an overall synergy between mind and body.
A major goal and theme in the practice of this ancient art is improving health and preventing illness.
The art of Wing Chun was born approximately 300 years ago. An Abbess of a Shoaling temple, Ng Mei, wished to streamline all the centuries of Kung Fu knowledge into a simple, practical and efficient system. Today it is called Wing Chun.
The recent success of films such as Yip Man has helped bring Wing Chun to a wider audience and many know that it was in the practice of Wing Chun that Bruce Lee started his martial arts training.
What’s not commonly known is how the basic forms in Wing Chun focus on an internal alignment of the spine that helps to alleviate the tension associated with postural imbalances and back pain. This offers practical benefits to everyday Hong Kong life like going up stairs, sitting at computers or when carrying heavy objects.
Another way to alleviate pain caused by postural imbalances is through Body Control Pilates. Developed by Joseph Pilates, this system of movements’ targets deep postural muscles and aims to build strength from the inside out, thus rebalancing the body and returning it to its proper alignment.
Body control Pilates achieves this by cultivating the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. Improving posture and elongating muscles.
Through scientific research, we now know that anxiety and being unable to deal with stress (physical and mental), has a damaging effect on the mind and body. It's proven that rapidly progressing ill-health often goes hand in hand with not being able to relax.
SergioMonteiro is a trainer from Pangea, a Health and Well-Being Club, located in the heart of Central. They offer Wing Chun Kung Fu, Body Control Pilates, High Intensity Fitness Training, Meditation and Kids classes! Visit www.pangea.com.hk or call 6140 8245 for more information.
