As an 18-year-old I was invited by the Philippines Gymnastic Federation as guest rhythmic gymnastic coach; the Philippines had only a few short years before began their rhythmic gymnastics program and needed support from neighboring Malaysia. I had spent almost 2 years after my retirement from competitive gymnastics and finishing secondary school, coaching rhythmic in local schools, to girls between the ages of 7 to 16. I stayed a month and a half in Manila, with a host family, being driven from their home to the gym daily, occasionally having time off to meet with local as well as international coaches and making friends with artistic gymnasts. I met Coach Popov, who was from Russia but had already spent a few years coaching the national artistic gymnasts in Philippines. He was older and had a lot of experience coaching all over the world. On one of those occasions, he mentioned something to me which I took as a critique of my coaching. I retorted defensively that I was young, new to coaching and was still learning. Then he said and did something that has stayed with me till now, I probably am paraphrasing his words. He said, “It is not just what you coach your gymnasts but how. It has to come from here, that is more important” and he pointed to his chest. I understood then as I do now as a therapeutic practitioner and a human being – Many things we do, especially if we are aware, is about Intention that stems from the Heart.
What is Intention? The American Heritage Dictionary defines Intention as “an aim that guides action,” “a determination to act in a certain way or do a certain thing,” “a plan of action,” as well as “a stretching or bending of the mind toward an object.”
As I began studying Chinese Medicine, I heard this question very often, “What is your intention?” It was often referring to situations when we were to pick a certain Acu-point or Herb or Hand-technique for Tui Na massage, or when we had already inserted a needle and were beginning to perform some manipulation technique of the needle. I was often reminded by my Acupuncture teachers that it is not just what point you choose to needle but also what you do with this point that will affect the Qi of the person you are treating. My Tai Ji Quan/ Qi Gong Master used to say, “One-pointed-focus. This is what separates master from student.” I came to understand that what I was thinking while doing a certain action affected the treatment or the movement that I was performing. This was not new to me; as a dancer I was trained to express emotion or an idea through my movement. As a choreographer of dance pieces and gymnastic routines, I understood that if I had a theme and a focal idea for what I wanted to convey, the movement piece would be so much stronger and would be well received by the audience. It wasn’t just about stringing movements together to make a dance, it was guided by a purpose. Chinese Medicine just brought it home for me, by refining it more.
The Chinese define Intention as 意 yì. The upper part of this Chinese character, 音 yīn refers to “a celestial vibration, a quality that Heaven confers upon a breath produced by a being,” describe the sinologists Larre and Rochat de la Vallée. They go on to add that the lower part of the character for Intention is 心 xīn, meaning Heart. For the Chinese, Intention is a vibration from Heaven rooted in the Heart of the person. As the above sinologists go on to describe,
“The heart recognizes if the vibration coming to it is true, that is, if its nature is such that the heart can compose with it. The heart holds the position of composer and orchestra conductor, and also choir master[…] Supported by the heart, the germ of processes of conscience, of knowledge, of action can develop.”
(Larre, Rochat de la Vallée: 1995, 52)
When I perform something with Intention, I am articulating the resonance of Heaven with the essence and wisdom of my Heart.
Over 30 years later, I understand Coach Popov’s advice and try to apply it in many, if not all aspects of my life, with the understanding that I have gained from Chinese Medicine. When I am treating someone with my hands or needle, or I am discussing with my teenage sons about the state of their bedrooms and why they should take action, or when I begin performing a pose in Yoga with my own body, I am aligning Heaven and my Heart into my action. We can do things in life, but without Intention, they amount to empty deeds, without the resonance of Heaven or the dedication of our Hearts.
Reference
American Heritage Dictionary
Larre, Claude/ Rochat de la Vallée, Elisabeth (1995) : Rooted in Spirit. New York: Station Hill Press.
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