Mind Over Muscles
by David Gentle
The brain is the most important bodypart - OK, we've heard it all before,
but what does it really mean? We take a look at some of the feats that can
be achieved by a positive mental attitude, and how we can apply it to our
workouts.
See right: John Massis demonstrates his famous car-lift - with his teeth!
For most people, mind over muscle conjures up visions of fire walkers, voodoo and yogi buried alive for days in trance like states. Hypnosis for example produces some striking phenomena with actual changes of the muscular system. Groups of isolated muscles can be easily put into a state of paralysis by suggestion and as easily released. Strangely enough the paralysis always takes the form or idea as suggested to the patient and never the actual anatomical distribution of the nerve supply.
Under the heightened suggestible state of hypnosis, intense rigidity or contractions can be produced, for example the stage trick wherein the subject is stretched between two chairs supported only by the head and ankles and yet in this unbending state he can support one or more people standing on his mid-section. In the normal waken state the individual would refuse to attempt the stunt thinking himself too weak, but under hypnosis, with all inhibitions removed he is able to exert his full muscular power.
This inherent power is far greater than most imagine, one example given that our jaw muscles alone have a capability of 600 lbs. pressure, allowing many seemingly amazing feats to be performed by trapeze artists who hang from their teeth/jaws, etc. A useful contrast to the cataleptic states is the ability under suggestion to produce a condition known as CEREA FLEXIBILITAS where by the muscles become so super relaxed that they can almost be molded into waxen like shapes.
Changes in sensation can be produced varying from increased sensitivity to actual anaesthesia, with the practical application making it possible (in good subjects) to have painless operations from tooth extraction to major surgery. Less spectacular but of equal if not more importance is the effect of our normal everyday Emotions.
The emotions and the body are absolutely inseparable. The fuel for most of our actions are feelings or emotions. You had to become emotionally involved and mentally motivated to make even an attempt at BODYBUILDING.
The subconscious mind is affected more by FEELINGS than rational thought. Before you ever attempt to lift a weight or commence an exercise program you have to engage your IMAGINATION with firm thoughts of becoming better developed, healthier, and stronger. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his early training used to imagine his arms becoming larger and larger...and they did. Lee Haney, used to dream of winning the Mr. Olympia... and he did! The image has to be there first before anything can be achieved. When you begin training you were using positive thoughts and good EMOTIONS and what I wish to pursue is the amazing importance of mind over muscle and the power of good emotions.
Mike Dayton, one of the World's most amazing strongmen, famous of his ability to break regulation handcuffs, says: "You must learn not only how to emotionally call upon your body to act but also how to call upon it with positive emotions". Face it, if almost everything you do is done in reaction to anger, revenge or jealousy, you are probably spending more time hurting than helping yourself. On the other hand, if you actions are the result of curiosity, trust, faith and enthusiasm, they are more likely affecting your life in a positive manner. All successful people, be they successful in the gym, in their personal lives, or in business, have a set of positive emotions which trigger their actions."
As regular weight trainers we have become aware that even moderate exercise stimulates the pituitary gland producing higher levels of the body's own morphine-like endorphins. Thus healthy exercise allows us to handle more stress. As bodybuilders we regularly study the latest dietary findings, the importance of vitamins, minerals and amino acids... and yet very little attention is paid to the most positive of all health (and therefore strength) factors...i.e. healthy emotions.
Ill health caused by poor emotions is usually bracketed under the label as a Psychosomatic illness. No longer labeling people as 'hypochondriacs' or 'neurotics', modern medics recognize a wider and wider growing list of illnesses as psychosomatic (literally translated as the mind making the body sick!!)
All the muscles in the body are influenced by the emotions. An obvious well known emotional effect is blushing. Equally common is emotional or tension headaches produced by the contraction of the blood vessels inside and outside the scalp. Nearly all headaches are produced by emotional tension. Migraines, admittedly a more complicated type of headache and often one associated with certain food allergies, can also be produced by stress and poor emotions.
Your epidermis (skin) soon shows signs of poor emotions especially tension with constant squeezing down of blood vessels in the second skin layer producing symptoms such as neurodermatitis. Other results of emotions on skeletal muscles include fibrositis, rheumatism and similar named complaints. The emotions that cause such muscular aches and pains are those of despair, or irritation, i.e. the emotions produced by a person having to do something he would prefer not to ...or a situation from which he would like to escape (usually work).
The pain is caused by the involuntary tightening of muscles usually those of the lower back, shoulders and neck. Emotionally tight muscles can also produce chest and stomach pains even more worrying to the owner, mimicking more serious problems. You will never produce good MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT unless your glands via emotional stability are working in happy balance.
The Pituitary is the most important gland in the body, a small pea shaped gland situated in a very inaccessible part of the body in the underside of the brain. Taking its orders from the Hypothalamus and responsible amongst other things for changes in weight/appetitie water balance and moods, super sensitive, it is affected by minerals/vitamin deficiencies, drugs, stress and EMOTIONS. This gland produces a wide variety of hormones all of which are extremely important to the delicate balance of the body's chemistry. Amongst these vital hormones is the SOMATOTROPHIC hormone of STH...STH is an agent which mobilizes the body's defense mechanism again infections.
The thing to remember is that it is the STH doing its work in fighting the invading virus, that makes you actually feel ill. The important fact I want you to assimilate is that the emotions of despair, or dismal, miserable, dark emotions also produce STH stress with the accompanying feelings of illness similar to those induced by infection. In plain words, being miserable or despondent will make you feel ill, giving you aches, pains, headaches, and stomach upsets!
Anyone who insists on having continual negative emotions, and you really do have a choice, will be subjecting their body to diseases of which the list is long including high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerated colitis, and even a form of asthma (usually the most chronic) can be associated with STH diseases.
The point I wish to repeat (I nearly said 'stress'...hic) is that YOUR OWN OUTLOOK ON LIFE and the EMOTIONS you produce will drastically effect your health and well-being.
The antidote to stress diseases is of course to have or develop GOOD EMOTIONS, which have greater potential for good health than any medicine or drug yet discovered by man (Penicillin and other antibiotics are of course indispensible. With all the good will in the world, even good emotions cannot cure some illness).
The other great antidote for tension and stress diseases is Relaxation. It is not coincidental that all of the bodybuilding stars who remain consistently at the top have one thing in common. When they are NOT TRAINING they have a relaxed and placid nature. They do not waste or drain their energy reserves with useless worrying or get into emotional problems. Real strong men have learnt through experience or been blessed by nature with super CONTROL of their emotions.
The late and great World Olympic lifter John Davis, was so relaxed, he almost went to sleep between lifting attempts, the only noticeable effort he made was the continual chewing of gum. Muscle stars like Al Beckles, Arnold S. and Zane are three good examples of men who when away from the gym completely relax, facing life with a positive attitude...and so it is no surprise to find today's current winners with the same attributes...i.e. dedication to training in the gym and mastery of their emotions when away from the weights.
Everyone, even YOU, can in time learn to control and improve your own emotions with enormous benefits to your health and general well-being. Reward includes more energy to do the things you enjoy and cutting down your chances of developing one of the multitude of diseases relating to stress.
Mental training like physical training must be sensible, suitable and practised in gradual stages. What you have to do to give your body the best chance for good health is to achieve a good balance of optimal hormones. Being CHEERFUL, HAPPY, CONTENTED, OPTIMISTIC, HOPEFUL, FRIENDLY and SYMPATHETIC is the best way to do it.
Good emotions will counteract the effects of stress diseases. Remember YOU HAVE A CHOICE. Next time you find yourself becoming emotionally worried, fearful, or just 'fed uo' CONSCIOUSLY CHANGE your thoughts to those of COURAGE, CHEERFULNESS and DETERMINATION. Positive thinking and good emotions can change your whole outlook, health and help you obtain the targets you require in life, be it Mr. Olympia or simply contentment.
Mind Over Muscle © Copyright by David Gentle All Rights Reserved