Author: Craig Constantine

Discourse →

Published May 29, 2022  ·  All posts on May 29

You don’t know if your idea is any good the moment itā€™s created. Neither does anyone else. The most you can hope for is a strong gut feeling that it is. And trusting your feelings is not as easy as the optimists say it is. Thereā€™s a reason why feelings scare usā€”because what they tell us and what the rest of the world tells us are often two different things.

~ Hugh MacLeod

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This quote, I think, also alludes to the problem of people ā€œnot gettingā€ new ideas. It turns out that the same problem exists forĀ oldĀ ideas to which people have grown unaccoustomed through lack of use.

Online discussion in forums is not a new idea. Itā€™s a time-tested idea; They can be a space to focus interaction. There are ground rules. Thereā€™s a border defining whatā€™s inside and whatā€™s outside. Those inside have skin in the game. There is accountability.

The challenge is for each of us to resume engaging in reasoned discourse with others. That can be done in many places, not just in online forums. But in general, weā€™ve lost it in, (something like,) the last ten years when the current incarnation of the social networks rose and ate our attention.

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The wisdom of the body →

Published May 28, 2022  ·  All posts on May 28  ·  ,

You can’t dance and be sad. You can listen to music and cry, you can read and cry, you can draw and cry but you can’t dance and cry. The body won’t let you.

~ Esther Perel

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Deliberate practice →

Published May 28, 2022  ·  All posts on May 28

Deliberate practice is the key to expert performance in writing, teaching, sports, programming, music, medicine, therapy, chess, business, and more. But thereā€™s more to it than 10,000 hours. Read to learn how to accelerate learning, overcome…

~ Shane Parrish from, The Ultimate Deliberate Practice Guide: How to Be the Best

I was dubious at their title, but this articleā€”a tiny book actuallyā€”is exquisite. With an estimated reading time of 43 minutes, thereā€™s a lot in there. For example, it mentionsā€¦

There is a place, right on the edge of your ability, where you learn best and fastest. Itā€™s called the sweet spot.ā€¦The underlying pattern is the same: Seek out ways to stretch yourself. Play on the edges of your competence. As Albert Einstein said, ā€œOne must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through oneā€™s greatest efforts.ā€

The key word is ā€˜barely.ā€™

~ Daniel Coyle

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Has anyone read the book, The Little Book of Talent, by Daniel Coyle?

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Statuary →

Published May 27, 2022  ·  All posts on May 27  ·  ,

Sculpture is more divine, and more like nature,
that fashions all her works in high relief,
and that is sculpture. This vast ball, the Earth,
was moulded out of clay, and baked in fire;
Men, women, and all animals that breath
are statues, and not paintings.

~ Longfellow

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There may be something to this →

Published May 27, 2022  ·  All posts on May 27  ·  

Research now demonstrates that neuronal sensory integration actually happens much earlier in the sensory processing pathway and is actually optimized or heightened with multi-sensory stimulation, or what we call sensory stacking.

Sensory stacking is to bring in as many sensory input systems during an exercise or movement for the purpose of enhancing cortical stimulation and neuronal pathways.

~ Emily Splichal from, Sensory Stacking | The integration of tactile, visual and auditory input

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Our entire schtickā€”whether you self-identify with Art du DĆ©placement, Parkour or Freerunning, or whateverā€”is moving in a visually complex environment. That turns out to have a physiological, brain altering affect.

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Awareness with Phil Lombardo →

Published May 26, 2022  ·  All posts on May 26  ·  

Awareness with Phil Lombardo

How can physical therapy integrate empathy, precision, and awareness to improve patient outcomes?

Movement becomes a gateway to understanding the human experience in this exploration of therapy and wellness.

Curiosity, awareness, and precision are things I think about every single day in my life.

~ Phil Lombardo (21:55)

The conversation navigates the transformative potential of empathy, precision, and awareness in physical therapy. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging patients’ emotions to alleviate stress, improve outcomes, and foster genuine connections. Specific strategies, such as naming emotions and creating resonant interactions, underline how interpersonal dynamics shape the healing process.

Movement is discussed as a critical therapeutic tool, with special attention to the role of the feet. Suggestions for barefoot movement and engaging in balance-focused exercises highlight the untapped potential of proprioception and body awareness. Practical applications of movement therapies, such as the use of tools like two-by-fours, further contextualize the ideas shared.

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Dedication with Joseph Rizzo →

Published May 26, 2022  ·  All posts on May 26  ·  

Dedication with Joseph Rizzo

How can Olympic weightlifting enhance performance and longevity in Parkour practice?

Technical movements in weightlifting unlock unexpected benefits for Parkour athletes.

A lot of people think like, Oh, I’m just gonna push as hard as I can and, you know, get this bar overhead and basically muscle it. And there’s a lot of danger in that, right? Because there’s not a lot of thought behind it. If you try to muscle something, you’ll only get to a certain point without technique, and kind of the same thing goes for Parkour as well.

~ Joseph Rizzo (2:43)

The conversation explores the intricate relationship between Olympic weightlifting and Parkour, emphasizing the technical nature of both practices. The discussion begins with an explanation of the complexity and precision involved in Olympic lifts such as the snatch and clean and jerk. These dynamic movements are contrasted with static lifts like the squat and bench press, underscoring how technical proficiency can prevent injury and enhance performance in both weightlifting and Parkour.

Another major topic is the carryover between the two disciplines. Weightliftingā€™s emphasis on explosiveness, shock absorption, and stability has direct applications to Parkour, particularly in reducing impact-related injuries and improving landings. The conversation also touches on how weightlifting reveals imbalances in the body, enabling athletes to address weaknesses and enhance longevity. Joseph explains how technical focus during trainingā€”starting with light weights and emphasizing formā€”can help Parkour practitioners gain strength and resilience.

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Calmness with Tori Kubick →

Published May 26, 2022  ·  All posts on May 26  ·  

Calmness with Tori Kubick

How does practicing contortion influence mental calmness and overall life perspective?

Contortion is not just about physical flexibility but a mental practice of finding calmness.

The only way to do it, was to be calm. You can’tā€” It’s physically impossible to do it anxious. There’s just no way. So you have to [find] calmness orā€¦ or nothing.

~ Tori Kubick (11:33)

The conversation explores the transformative aspects of contortion, emphasizing how the practice fosters mental calmness alongside physical flexibility. Tori shares how she transitioned into contortion as an adult and describes it as a discipline that connects mind and body. She highlights the need for internal calmness, which allows practitioners to push beyond perceived physical and mental limits.

Other topics include the parallels between contortion and problem-solving in other movement practices, such as parkour and aerial arts. Tori discusses the importance of strength complementing flexibility and explains how contortion helps practitioners discover new ways to navigate challenges, both physically and mentally. The conversation also touches on the introverted nature of many contortionists and the rare sense of community they share.

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Chase with Frank Mejia →

Published May 26, 2022  ·  All posts on May 26  ·  

Chase – with Frank Mejia

How has participation in World Chase Tag and related activities influenced the personal training practices, community dynamics, and professional development of its participants?

World Chase Tag is transforming the perception of traditional playground games into a high-stakes global sport.

It definitely feels like it feels like 3D Chess, but just at a very rapid pace, just because of that other individual in you, you will get feedback from them, regardless of what they do.

~ Frank Mejia (6:53)

The conversation explores the evolution of World Chase Tag (WCT) as a burgeoning professional sport and its impact on participants. The discussion highlights how WCT has shifted from casual beginnings to a structured and competitive framework, requiring athletes to qualify and adopt advanced training regimens. This transformation has made WCT a unique intersection of traditional playground games and professional athletics.

Another focus is on the interplay of individual and community dynamics. Frank describes how engaging in such sports fosters creativity, camaraderie, and personal growth. The conversation also goes into the mental and physical challenges of maintaining focus and adaptability in high-intensity environments, as well as the broader implications of competitive tag on the Parkour community.

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Exploration with Matthew Jensen →

Published May 26, 2022  ·  All posts on May 26

What insights can be shared about the dynamics, challenges, and benefits of podcasting with a cohost?

Exploring the chemistry between cohosts unveils the intricacies of dynamic podcasting.

I think that I like to push Mike a little bit more, to share what he thinks about, because Mike views himself as maybe more the host that ask the questions and I like the back and forth. Just because he’s not necessarily a subject matter expertā€” I think that brings out kind of our best conversations when he’s actively learning something or has a different perspectives on stuff.

~ Matthew Jensen (12:41)

The discussion focuses on the dynamics of cohosting a podcast, highlighting the challenges of adapting to another personā€™s style while discovering the benefits of shared perspectives. Topics include how collaboration shapes the content, from deciding themes to incorporating listener questions. The importance of free-flowing conversations that capture authentic dialogue is emphasized.

The podcast’s community engagement is also explored, with feedback from listeners and support from fellow podcasters enriching the creative process. The conversation includes reflections on rapport-building, fostering shared learning experiences, and leveraging tools like question submission forms to drive interaction. The role of community in demystifying podcasting and offering practical support is acknowledged as a valuable resource.

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