Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hearing vs. Listening


Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens. Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences. Listening leads to learning. (source: http://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/acad/strat/ss_hearing.html)

My yoga teacher talks a lot, or I should say preaches a lot, and I say 90% of the time, I tune him out. But last week, rather than just hearing him, I listened to him. He was going on about how yoga is healing, but competitive sports are not. According to him, "Yoga heals the body (joints, muscles, internal organs) and mind, while competitive sports wreak havoc on the body. We only participate in competitive sports for our egos."

I can't say that I totally agree, but more importantly, I found myself listening to him when most of the time, I'm just hearing him. Those of you who follow my blog know I'm big on clues from the Universe. And this my friend, is a clue. I'm taking a break from the swim, bike, run thing until I figure out the cause of the mystery ailments. Both the ear infection and excessive pissing are still there, but I do feel an improvement, so I'll just keep resting. The bright side of taking time off is that I am able to pursue other things like skiing and boarding! And I had time to edit the video I took from a recent training day. Like most of my videos, the inspiration came from the song.

Since we are on this topic of competitive sports not healing, I thought I would share this piece I wrote about four years ago on my website: http://racingawareness.org/antiendurance.html

5 comments:

Beth said...

I hope all your issues clear up real soon - for your health's sake! Sounds like you are having fun no matter. And I am just marveling over the fact that you rode over the Golden Gate Bridge. So cool!

Steve said...

I am computerally impaired so cannot check all the links... Or too lazy. I am lazy!! :)

Stay positive in life. Obstacles and curves come, but they help us learn. I had a bad year last year, but feel really great now.

Maybe... Or probably.. Down times are blessing in disguises!! :)

Try and embrace life, we all are on a good path if we "listen". :)

Genevieve said...

A few things: 1) When I listen to yoga instructors, all I hear is the Charlie Brown teacher voice. 2) GO TO THE DOCTOR - excessive pissing sounds both miserable and inconvenient. 3) Little windy in San Fran, is it? 4) I would have crashed at least four times had I tried to record myself riding. Instead of iPhone in the gutter, it would have been Genevieve in the gutter. 5) Awesome song!!

:)

Libby said...

wow I have recently become aware of marks daily apple as I get into the crossfit deal and I hadn't read that article. very interesting and I have to say I'm starting to move to the side of the fence that mostly agrees with him. I'm glad you are taking a break :) its a wondeful thing. time for body and mind to heal. oh and I was a bio major too. go figure.

Teresa said...

That Genevieve cracks me up! Thanks for the reminder Kiet. Listening is a skill and it needs to be worked on to be good at. Listening to teachers, listening to friends, it is a huge key in growing.

Now go listen to the docs....get better. We need you healthy and i want to see you at the races!!!! A race reunion ;)

tn