Learn To Move Like Water With A Nothingness State Of Mind

Today we have blog contributor Phong Luong sharing his point of view with us

Almost everything in this world tells us we have to move from being nothing to becoming something. Yoga represents the antithesis of this idea. That is, if we are to walk a spiritual path, we might consider moving from becoming something to being nothing. In this case, this somethingness is characterized by a self-focused personality, a need to be admired, and a focus on how things should be rather than how things are. Conversely, nothingness is defined as living with no ego, no expectations, and a willingness to move fluidly and gracefully in our environment.

Every day I feel a bit more connected to the idea of nothingness as I practice yoga. Over the last 10 years, the yoga has helped open my hips, spine, knees, and mind. At one point, from the end of 2010 to the beginning of 2013, I did my own Bikram yoga 800 day challenge.  I would miss a class here and there but would make it up with the dreaded double. It was during this period that I began to truthfully integrate the connection between body and mind. I am introverted and obsessive by nature and nurture. As I logged my classes in my workout book as us Type A personalities do, I began to also keep track of how my spine, hips, and knees felt. As those three areas of my body opened up, so did my psychology.  I felt less and less obsessive and consequently stressed about minor work, school, or family issues.  I was on the path of nothingness.

Emerging from this psychology was a new way of understanding  yoga, martial arts, counseling and fatherhood.  In the Art of Expressing the Human Movement, Bruce Lee said, “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water." When we are without rigidity in standing bow, on a Jiu Jitsu mat, in the counseling room, or with our children, moments of honesty emerge. In this sense, nothingness is moving like water, allowing for truth.

And moving like water means having the proper clothing. I have been fortunate enough to meet the people responsible for creating Eros Sports. They provide me with some of the best clothing and gear I have ever tried so that I can practice or train without any thought of what is on my body. The clothing becomes part of the body, and the body is then able to open up in various movements. All things, it seems are interconnected. Feeling comfortable in our clothing sets a foundation for being without thought, to flow into movements, and to be more connected with the organic and authentic experiences within and around us.

Phong Luong is a brand ambassador for Eros Sport and actively practices yoga, kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu.