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A multitasking practice to develop physical and mental coordination

In 6 Dragons Kung Fu when we talk about coordination we do not refer only to the capability to master more or less complex motor skills but also to the ability to mentally focus on 2 (or more) different and simultaneous tasks.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

Cyclical Concentration: what is and how it works

The first concept to understand is that the human brain cannot truly elaborate active multiple tasks at the same time. When we delude ourselves doing multitasking, we are simply moving our attention from a focus point A to a focus point B, then C, then again A, C (etc.): nothing more nothing less.

The interesting fact is that this capability is instinctive and innate in all human beings. More or less effectively we are all in condition to manage multiple activities “at the same time”. It is exactly from here that our discussion of mental improvement takes hold: with the right exercises it is in fact possible to learn how to optimize processes that are almost always not efficient.

Substantially:

Instinctively our mind tends to operate in a sort of random order (eg. A-C-A-C-B…)
With the correct training, we can teach it to operate following a rational cyclical sequence (eg. A-B-C-A-B-C…)

What does it mean “rational cyclical sequence”? Simply to give attention only where and when it is necessary: this is what we call Cyclical Concentration.

A first exercise to develop mental Cyclical Concentration

Here’s an exercise that can bring us closer to the idea of “multitasking” (through cyclical concentration):

Let’s choose 2 movies we have already seen but that we do not remember well
Let’s opt for films that are simple to follow and that do not require too much concentration
Let’s remove the audio and let’s start playing them in contemporary
We can use a split computer screen, 2 TV screens (etc.)
Let’s try to follow both movies understanding not the details but in general, the most important happenings
Let’s try to cyclically choose the scene in the movie that is better to focus on (to get used to do this, let’s initially exploit our memories about them)

A note by Master Kongling – In the beginning, this exercise may be very challenging, let’s eventually try setting a slow-motion playback. In addition to this, let’s not forget to be gradual (we do not forcibly need to start seeing a 2-hour-long video, 15-20 minutes are fine).

With time we will get used to this kind of practice and we will be able to:

See new movies
Follow more complex plots
Activate the sound of both screens
Use the overall view (without ever turning our head (read The overall view: see everything, do not look at anything)

This exercise will allow our mind to train to work at full power:

By improving our concentration
By increasing our ability to listen and filter (eg. we will be able to listen to more contemporary conversations but more about this later)

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

It is interesting to stress that the type of conditioning we are addressing contradicts everything we have been taught since when we were children (“do 1 thing at a time”, etc.); well that is not completely wrong, in fact, nothing can beat a brain truly focused as a laser on a single task but at the same time, it is also true that most of the activities that we do in combat (but also in daily life) are not so complex to require such level of commitment, on the contrary, the final yield is superior precisely because we are able to insert them in a context of simultaneity
In relation to combat, it is not at all difficult to understand how useful it is to be able to manage multiple simultaneous actions but the other areas of our daily life should not be underestimated either; in fact, if our multitasking isn’t forced (imposed by external factors), it doesn’t cause stress and allows us to do something completely extraordinary, multiply the extent of our time (!)
As always, in our teaching method, it is not a question of immediately acquiring special or out-of-the-ordinary skills (read All the skills of 6 Dragons Kung Fu) but of immediately improving in the simplest activities (thanks to the constant exercise); every person is different but we can all move steps forward (read Acquire real martial arts skills in 5 minutes)
…

In the next article of this series, we will see other exercises to develop cyclical concentration (read An exercise for the cyclical concentration: pencil and paper).

In-depth video courses

Mind self-control hacks – How to take control of your mind and achieve better performance
Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu exercises – The core practices to build substantial combat capabilities
Advanced speed and reflexes training – A speed development course designed to reach high-level combat reactivity
How to build strong self-discipline – How to acquire the skill that opens the way to all the others
Meditation: how to start – A fundamental step to embrace the path of non-violence
How to develop a good timing – Learn to manage the connection point between theory and tactics
Muscle chain for martial arts: how to – How to release the maximum power against our opponent

In-depth articles

Constant attention: what is and how it works – The application of Cyclical Concentration in self-defense
The first martial skill to be acquired – The starting point to obtain access to all the rest

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

Can you follow the plot of the movies?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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