James.R.Tyrrell

From Science to Sci-Fi

97

by | Jun 20, 2012 | Exploration I

Why are members trained in subjects like martial arts and meditation?

There was a long consideration in writing the entries about martial arts and meditation. Meditation has a solid amount of scientific evidence to show that it has numerous physical, emotional and cognitive benefits. While we can draw connections between practitioners of martial arts and other similar benefits it may simply be due to increased exercise, focus, discipline or even meditation done during the course of their studies. The correlation is less clear.

Either way in the spirit of preparedness for any situation it would be prudent to teach a soft system of martial arts [note: by soft I mean a martial art that utilises technique over brute force and yielding rather than opposing forces] like Aikido which can be more defensive in nature and also teaches practitioners how to fall without hurting themselves or restrain someone who is being violent.

Martial arts teaches discipline, allows for purposeful exercise, aids balance and builds self-confidence. If we take a holistic approach to the individual members of the community this is a vital facet of that approach.

Lisboa, Lisbon, Lisbonne.

by | Jun 18, 2012 | Life

So I’m still on holiday here in Lisbon, hence the lack of posts in any regard or work towards any of my projects. Still, considering all the plans I have for the upcoming few months having a holiday now is much better than trying to have one later.

Lisbon is as great as I remember it, although I’m in a very different part of town called Alfama. It’s the oldest part of Lisbon and sadly, it looks it. Despite the crumbling buildings it’s well worth visiting, listening to Fado (traditional Portuguese music and eating Sardines, chilling out at the castle. Also it’s different being here with a girlfriend we’ve done very different things and I’ve seen stuff I probably would have missed by myself.

On that note if you get a chance, go to the zoo! It’s a fantastic one, lots of animals in nice habitats; dolphin and seal shows. Very impressed.

Right off to enjoy our last day shopping and chilling out before coming back to Toulouse for an extreme amount of work. Plus we have to leave around 4 in the morning just to get the flight… Arrghh.