The Secret Art of Boabom
When The Students Speak:
Extended Student Comments
In this section:
Content
Page 4
I recently bought your book on Seamm Jasani, and find it most impressive to say the least. I have started the exercises... Congratulations on a great publication!!!
Ron M.
(e-mail, January 2005)
New Zealand
Going to class makes me glad, and I really feel it when I cannot go, and the sensation I have is that itis good for me. After a few classes, the back pains I suffered are part of the past. I walk through life with more confidence and strength, and I also feel that my breathing has improved...
Micky Landau
Pianist
Israel
My impression has been enormous and extremely positive as I have noticed my body adapting to this practice in so quick and natural a way... I have noticed that this Art demands a great amount of concentration which, besides forcing us to remain 'awake', leaves us strong in our daily activities, whether they are problems, work, studies, etc... This Art is an excellent remedy for that disease of modern times, stress in all its shades...
Anders Ruiti
Lawyer
Argentina
It is hard to believe that it's been three and a half years since I took my first Boabom class; it seems like it was just yesterday and eons ago. As I prepare to move into a new stage, I have thought more and more about how much I have learned since those first classes under the stars. As I prepare to leave my current stage, I have been reviewing the movements from earlier stages, which has caused me to reflect on my experience studying the art of Boabom. What I have learned is quite profound and not easily quantifiable and certainly adds up to much more than a series of ever more complex movements.
As I went through the movements that make up the first two stages of Boabom, I was struck by how much better my balance, coordination, flexibility, strength and endurance has become over the past years and even recent months. What is more intriguing to me, however, and much more difficult to explain, are the mental changes that have come as a result of studying the art. It is not so much that I'm more relaxed, though I believe that I am, but rather that I am more mentally alert and agile. The challenges in Boabom are both physical and mental and that is what makes it such a rewarding art to study. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in future stages!
Susanna Bolle
Writer, Music Critic and DJ
USA
When we think about foundations, we think about how something is supported. A classic example would be the foundation of a building with its underlying support systems and structure. But what about the human body? What is its foundation? Our trunk/torso is our foundation. This is our support system for our head, arms and legs. In physical therapy we have an expression which says there is no mobility without stability. This means that we can not move and use our head, arms or legs (or parts thereof) if our trunk/foundation is not strong and stable enough to support our extremities.
The need for a strong foundation is clearly seen in early child development. A child will not be able to walk until his trunk is strong and stable enough to allow the legs to move freely. Of course, the legs must be strong enough to bear the weight of the body. However, much of the improved balance and control we see that progresses from those first wobbly, tentative steps comes with increasing trunk control - especially of the back and abdominal muscles. As we get older and make conscious choices about the activities in which we choose to participate, what do we think about? What are our goals? There are many activities which are geared toward increasing strength and may do this by isolating specific muscles to be active through multiple repetitions of use (e.g. exercise machines that support the body and require use of specific muscles). Some activities are specifically geared toward improving cardiovascular endurance and some will improve coordination. Many activities will offer a combination of benefits. What does Boabom offer? Boabom is an art form that is based on a progressive sequencing of virtually unending new movement patterns with the body moving in space. This is profound. It means that Boabom constantly challenges and nurtures all aspects of our being all the time.
Boabom perpetually requires the basic foundation [the trunk] to be active, ready and stable under unending and varying challenges. Unlike repetitive exercises where the body gets conditioned to do the same activity over and over or activities where the body is supported by equipment, Boabom requires different combinations of muscles of the trunk to be called into action at any time. The underlying challenges to the trunk are rooted in the different and progressive movements of the head, arms and legs. Thus, the extremities are also increasingly developed and challenged. All of this requires progressive strengthening of all muscles of the body.
Boabom is an aerobic activity. The person is essentially active throughout the practice session. This means that the circulatory system needs to supply oxygen to all the working muscles to meet their needs on an ongoing basis throughout the session. As described above, the work of the muscles is progressive so Boabom facilitates cardiovascular endurance.
Boabom certainly challenges coordination. It constantly asks the participant to do unfamiliar movements or movement patterns. Once movements are introduced, the practice does not seek to have those movements or patterns mastered through long term repetitions but instead goes on to continue to require new movements and movement patterns to be performed. Coordination means that exactly the right muscles will do exactly the right thing at exactly the right time for the intended movement to occur in the exactly desired way. Since muscles only contract or move through neurological input, coordination is dependent on neuromuscular facilitation. Hence, Boabom also progressively stimulates our neurological system.
Boabom fosters the development of balance and stability. Through progressive development of movements of the body in varying positions and speeds of movement, many systems of the body are called upon to sustain balance and equilibrium. This includes our vestibular system, neurological system including our proprioceptive system and postural muscles (the "foundation" previously described). Perhaps youth and younger adults are not too concerned about this aspect of fitness. However, all indications of preventive medicine suggest that maintaining systems of balance is of major importance in later years of life to prevent complications of falls and injury.
Earlier it was stated that Boabom challenges and nurtures all aspects of our being. Thus far we have focused on the physical benefits of Boabom. From an emotional perspective, evidence supports the fact that many forms of physical activity increase our endorphin levels and promote our feelings of emotional well being. Many people experience this benefit from Boabom. Mentally, Boabom constantly challenges our neuromuscular system to perform new and challenging tasks so our mind and focus is drawn to the task at hand. We cannot perform these movements if our brain is thinking about other things. Thus, Boabom is a form of moving meditation.
In summary, Boabom offers a way to build a strong foundation on which one can grow physically, emotionally and spiritually through physical challenge and moving meditation.
Veronica Quarry
Physical Therapist, BS
MS in Exercise Physiology, MS in Physical Therapy
Most people realize that they need to exercise, that daily life is too fast paced and stressful, that they need to slow down and celebrate life. Yet all these things are quite difficult to do on your own, particularly when you don't know 'how' to relax, to move with grace and balance, to celebrate your body and spirit. As I've practiced and reflected on what I've learned over the last three plus years studying Boabom, I've realized that here is a friendly, structured art that does all these things. Only a few years ago, simple things I now take for granted - like balancing on one foot, breathing deeply during intense exercise, and engaging in coordinated movements that initially 'teased' my brain - were a struggle. Yet, my muscles and joints have grown stronger, my sense of balance has improved, my brain can better direct 'right' and 'left' movements. Even as I've experienced some illnesses that slowed my progress over the last year, the art has accommodated me and allowed me to progress and, in the process, has certainly contributed positively to my health and well-being. As I prepare to move to a new stage, I am just now starting to really sense that Boabom is more than a series of physical and mental challenges, and look forward to experiencing greater spiritual well-being through these practiced movements and relaxation techniques.
Shaun Gummere
Director of Web Services
Professor of Web Design
USA
Practicing Boabom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Being happy in life causes those who surround you to be infected with that optimism; joy has a multiplying effect. This is achieved when you are in harmony with your mind and body, and that is the objective of this Art.
Ana María Gómez
Bilingual Secretary
Chile