Clean Run - May 2012 - 65

A Closer Look at Reeducating Mind and Body
By Kathy Miller, photos by author

In George Leonard’s book, The Ultimate Athlete, he teaches us that the matter of concentration is crucial to the athlete but that it cannot be achieved by simply willing it. “You can’t go to the start line and say, ‘I must concentrate now’, it won’t work. It has to already be there.” As a young woman, Sally Swift studied with F. M. Alexander, and he impressed upon her the idea that, “the accuracy of the individual’s conception depends on psycho-physical functioning and sensory appreciation.” When Sally Swift began her work, Centered Riding, helping equestrians reeducate their minds and bodies to achieve greater balance and improved communication with their horses, she introduced us to this mind and body connection by simply stating, “good use of the human body makes a world of difference.” In short, the mental game is hardly all in the mind. By using the Four Basic Principles of Centered Dog Agility and adopting these new ways of seeing; of breathing; of balancing; of being centered and self aware, you can compete free of anxiety with a clear focus of intent and enjoy improved performances. But first: step away from the dog! The exercises presented in this article are for the handler. As I mentioned in the first “Centered Dog Agility” article (CR December 2010), the most difficult aspect of the program is connecting the practice of the Four Basic Principles to actually running on course with your dog. You should have a thorough grasp of the concepts before adding them on the run with your dog. The following exercises were created to enhance your understanding of what it means to be “centered” and to help you reeducate your mind and body. With the three ways of learning in mind: auditory, visual, and sense of muscular effort, Centered Dog Agility aims to help you create an improved use of self. The concept of use of self extends beyond the function of physical skills and includes the idea of an interactive mindbody connection. All the exercises are to be done while the body and mind are fully engaged in the Four Basic Principles. The Four Basic Principles are always practiced together and are dependent upon one another.
May 12 | Clean Run

• Principle 1: Soft Eyes. Use peripheral vision. Become • Principle 2: Breathing. Involve the whole torso not just
aware of your surroundings and your body. the chest. Understand the importance of the diaphragm. Breath continuously, don’t hold your breath. tween your hands. Be aware of your center and bring it into activity. Drop an imaginary plumb line from ear through tip of shoulder, hip then ankle.

Review of the Four Basic Principles of Centered Dog Agility

• Principle 3: Connecting to Center. Find your center be-

• Principle 4: Building Blocks. Balance one above the other.
The results of becoming aware of the Four Basic Principles and using them consistently is a feeling of freeing your body and allowing your body to move without tension, without restriction. You’ll experience a deeper sense of awareness and a better use of self with a calm, clear intension. You’ll be able to project this self awareness and feeling of calm energy to your dog creating an invisible tether; an unbreakable connection between the two of you on course. The practice of this program should not induce a dream-like state. On the contrary, it should create energy within you and help you focus your mind free of anxiety and self doubt. Learning to do something as seemingly simple as centering under pressure takes practice. Still, there are relatively easy ways to introduce a person to the principles through simple exercises. People from varied backgrounds have been able to sense forms of energy which are not usually recognized in our culture and have become aware of their own mind-body connections. All that is required is an open mind and a safe place where new ideas are not met with ridicule.

Clean Run - May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - May 2012