Division Profile: Mind Body + Spirit

Mind, Body, + Spirit

 

De BAHM mind body + spirit is dedicated to the physical, intellectual and performing arts; it is the crystallization of George De La Hoz’ belief that the human mind, body and spirit are our chief tools of expression.

 

A person is not alive if they are not taking in experiences, exploring them, and expressing them in their own unique ways. Whether through dance, poetry, athletics, science, acting, combat or literature, the human experience cannot be complete without self expression and communication.

 

Early experiences on the competitive turf of the soccer field, years of performing magic on stage, and hours of training in acting all taught George about the importance of drawing from all experience and using what is learned to broaden the experiential resources that a person carries with them. From these lessons, bits and pieces are taken and used to address other aspects of the world. Learning how to sharpen physical attributes through soccer, learning how to understand perception through performing magic, learning how to understand emotion through acting studies, are all benefits from creative experiences that add value to involvement in any endeavor.

 

Exploring themselves and guiding others along their personal journeys through these arts is an important part of De BAHM’s practice. For example, in self defense seminars, people not only learn to be better prepared to protect themselves physically, but they are instilled with the confidence to deal with obstacles that appear along their chosen path. Problem solving is a key concept explored in the seminars. There is also a respect developed for the impact their actions can have on their immediate world. In another case, by learning to manipulate a coin or a business card through sleight of hand, a brief moment of confidence can be created that opens a door to a conversation or an opportunity appears to explain a point about how a particular situation is perceived. By expanding abilities, understanding, or knowledge in any particular aspect of life, the total being is strengthened.

 

Recently, George has dedicated a lot of time to developing the totality of his being. Living by his mantra, “sharp mind, strong body, luminous spirit”, he has challenged himself with conscious decisions to follow paths that bring him closer to his ideal self.

 

Over the last two years for example, he along with his colleagues, have taken hours and hours of theoretical studies in the combat arts and focused their explorations on a method of functional combat. Through Blast Wave JKD, they have worked on expanding their vocabulary of physical attributes and techniques. This study, put to the test in the arena of weekly “live” sparring, has proven to contain a high level of efficiency and effectiveness. Self-confidence through self defense is a key benefit of this exploration.

 

Through the practice of Yoga and Meditation, both powerful tools for self expression and self development, George has reached deeper within himself to release tensions and help him see the world in clearer, fresher terms. By learning how to “empty the cup before tasting another’s tea”, he has committed to understanding first, and then using this understanding to find the most appropriate solutions to everyday problems.

 

These are but a few of the ways De BAHM mind, body + spirit helps people focus on distinct aspects of their lives so as to build a stronger being; to instill in them a greater level of confidence; and to achieve a more comfortable plane of naturalness; making them better able to absorb what is around them.