Physical Practice Blog #1 Taking the first step

As all journeys begin with one step, so I write this first blog as part of a personal journey to define (at least for myself) a Jedi Physical and Spiritual training regiment. My original intention would be to make a training manual for new Jedi (something I would like to have myself) but that idea was met with some resistance. Hopefully this blog will be helpful for some people. Hopefully most! If people find enough usefulness in this blog to one day make part or all of it Official Jedi Literature than it would be worth it! Even if it can be valuable to half who read it, it will have been worth it!
Seemingly, the general flow of info on the TOTJO forum is very communal. No one opinion is shared without another opinion shared in contrast. This would be no different. As I am new to the Jedi Order I would not even think to presume that my findings or my opinion is the final word on the subject.
So my first task is to gather what I can on the actual Star Wars literature. As I have not read any of the books myself, I'm opened to suggestions as to literature descriptive of the life of a Jedi. Anything in the mythology is helpful to build a basis for a regiment of practice. I have a few e-mails out to friends I know to be fluent in the subject. Thank you in advance to all who decide to contribute to my quest.

I think that's a fantastic idea! As someone who is into fitness, myself, I've been looking for a way to link or connect my Jedi training with my strength and conditioning workouts. Just a way for my workouts to be another form of meditation on the Force. I'm behind you on this one!

We should talk. There's a lot of mythology to cover and I'm a slow reader. This whole process could benefit from two heads.

You guys got me thinking about this as well, good idea. Havent gotten anywhere yet though :side:

I made a few basic blogs in that general direction. Basically trying everything on to see how it fits. It's a slow process but it's a journey. I started with concentrating on the force while exercising, then on to force meditations. Next I'm probably going into other moving meditation.

Not sure. Recently, I've tried to focus on the Force flowing through me when I attempted to push one more rep which seems impossible otherwise. So far, it only helps a little. I'm sure with practice it'll get easier to do.

One thing I've done before that worked very well was to imagine my strength and energy as a waterfall or tidal wave and push whatever it was I was pushing. I actually finished the push stronger than when I tried without the mental imagery. I had good results with that one and I was super sore the next day.

-Luthien

With me physical training's hidden weakness is lack of commitment, and so by aligning it with Jedi concepts it might be a way to workout more regularily and enjoy it more. Regular committed work outs will ensure the best chance for progress. Then its just up to the diet, sleep and getting to know how your body recovers from workouts. I'm not expecting a rep strength gain from connecting to the Force while exercising, I'm hoping to get better results from connecting my training to Jediism - slightly different, but not completely because I think the quality of the workout with connection to the Force could be higher and so also achieve better overall results mid to long term.

Adder wrote: With me physical training's hidden weakness is lack of commitment, and so by aligning it with Jedi concepts it might be a way to workout more regularily and enjoy it more. Regular committed work outs will ensure the best chance for progress. Then its just up to the diet, sleep and getting to know how your body recovers from workouts. I'm not expecting a rep strength gain from connecting to the Force while exercising, I'm hoping to get better results from connecting my training to Jediism - slightly different, but not completely because I think the quality of the workout with connection to the Force could be higher and so also achieve better overall results mid to long term.

I would say, simply, that if one is able to get into a state of meditation through their workout, it will greatly improve the quality of it and make it more enjoyable. Meditation is a method of connecting to the Force.

Adder wrote: With me physical training's hidden weakness is lack of commitment, and so by aligning it with Jedi concepts it might be a way to workout more regularily and enjoy it more. Regular committed work outs will ensure the best chance for progress. Then its just up to the diet, sleep and getting to know how your body recovers from workouts. I'm not expecting a rep strength gain from connecting to the Force while exercising, I'm hoping to get better results from connecting my training to Jediism - slightly different, but not completely because I think the quality of the workout with connection to the Force could be higher and so also achieve better overall results mid to long term.

Yes, I can agree to that. I wasn't trying to focus on the rep strength gain, but the extra push we sometimes try to achieve. Just like going the extra rep, one could translate it to one more sprint around the track, or just plain pushing the limits. Pushing the limits is where we find where our character stands. Will I quit when I've had enough, or can I hang in there when the going gets tough? One could do this same type of meditation through sitting meditation because it does take a sort of stamina to just sit there and meditate for lengthy periods of time.

On another note, I do like the idea of using meditation during a workout to connect with the Force on a different level.

I do apologize for not making my point clearer before.

-Luthien

I have always been in some kind of physical training program or another. And I grew tired of doing the same thing time and time again. A few years ago I began to study Yoga and Tai Chi. These two methods of physical training differ greatly from the exercises I learned and performed my whole life. They also help me to center my mind and my body. Instead of working the body and then the mind with study, they are worked together. Like a focused meditation workout!?!

I am starting something like a training manual on my own. It is more like a Jedi field manual though. It could never replace the wisdom gained from others or experience, but I have been using it more like a reminder book. Something to go over and read a helpful quote or teaching. For reference. As I grow at TOTJO the entries gain complexity and depth. So, once I am no longer in use of it; theoretically someone could go through it and have some kind of structure to start by. Although, I would suggest to them that they join TOTJO and go through the initiates program. It really is the best teaching tool we have at the time. I have also recorded all the lessons and all my journal entries since I started here in a hard copy journal. I guess if the internet was destroyed in some horrible global disaster, someone could use that as a starting point.

The real problem is in the first step though. I feel that it first takes a commitment on the part of the individual. A commitment to stay the course. Then, with the support of others anything can be accomplished.

That being said, I am here for anything I can help with. Though I'm not certain what contribution I could make, I hope it would be helpful.

May the Force be with you my friend.