Hi all,
Following an invite by Alex Channon (Senior Lecturer, School of Sport and Service Management
Sport and Leisure Cultures Research and Enterprise Group at the University of Brighton) Neil and I have just delivered an online lecture entitled Martial arts & mental health: A case for radically embodied compassion?
It was not only good fun to talk through our various ideas and simply present FCMA to a wider audience but it was also a great chance to see Alex again, with whom we hope to collaborate more in the future.
Our lecture outlined issues around mental health in the UK (including what is mental health anyway?), diagnosis and formulation, a consideration of a recent martial arts and mental health systematic review, and, of course, the conceptual basis of FCMA.
We then went on to describe some FCMA practices around our salute, static and dynamic stances/footwork, partner work (x1, x3 step moves), sensitivity drills, real-life punching, and expressions/the emotional tone of the dojo or training area.
Given Lockdown we're restricted in the sense that it would be so much better to have delivered our lecturing in person and train/demonstrate FCMA in action. However, spreading the word and responding to questions asked about what we do and how we do it is a good way to do whatever we can in the current climate.
Reaching out, connecting with others, and sharing ideas is a core principle of FCMA and so make sure to stay in touch with those around you, or indeed widen your connections as you can. In this spirit, why not drop us a line or let us know about how fierceness is expressed in your life.
Best wishes,
Syd and Neil