The Dance of Becoming: Living Life as a Martial Art, by Stuart Heller

tuart Heller is an American. He is/was (in 1991) 6. dan in Kenpo Karate and Chinese Kempo (kempo is the Japanes term for kung fu). `He is a certified psychologist and hypnotherapist, with study of motion as his speciality. In his own words this book is a small offering to the traditions and teachers with whom he has studied science, dance, martial arts and healing for well over thirty years (again in 1991).

In the introduction to: "The Dance of Becoming: Living Life as a Martial Art", Heller points to the common ground in science, dance, martial arts and healing - namely movement or motion. He speaks about the language of motion, and being centered in what he calls the void - emptiness.

According to the author the ideas here are nothing new. You will, again according to Heller, find them in the yoga sutra's, in the models and methods of Chinese traditional medicine, in the principles of homeopathy, in the Alexandertechniques as well as the Feldenkrais-methods. They are present in the philosophy of Alfred Korzybski, as well as O-sensei Uyeshiba's aikido.

By pointing to the connections between the heart and the mind, Heller say: "That heart and mind appear separate to us is a sign of heart-mind disorder. To join together again that which was never really divided is the purpose of the Dance of Becoming".

Even if this book may come across as quite a bit mystic and "deep", it does state a lot of great things. For example this: "Not feeling the movement is easy. All it takes is excess tension". How true! Just watch people move and you'll see many that are unconnected, stiff and "locked" inside or outside their body.

"The Dance of Becoming: Living Life as a Martial Art" is built up on ideas/themes and practical exercises - all of these based on the importance of movement and dance. All inn all this is a thought provocing book that will give the reader lots to think about. Be aware though that it is not something to be read casually - it demands involvement and reflection!

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