Mozart and the
Martial Arts
Sock me Amadeus

"How powerful is your magic sound."
                    -Mozart

WHY MARTIAL ARTS?

I first became interested in the so called "Mozart Effect" when I was reading a book on Super Learning (by S. Ostrander and L. Schroeder) during my stay in Europe. It suggested the use of music for enhanced review and study. Their suggested list consisted of classical composers such as Bach, Corelli, Handel, Telemann and Vivaldi. Mainly concertos by various Baroque composers. Oddly enough Mozart wasn't on the top of the list nor was it mentioned. At the time I was still being introduced to the concept so who and what really didn't matter to me as much as why. However I began to research the effects that music seemed to have on learning and to my surprise I discovered that there was much to learn.

I also learned that many language programs also suggested the use of classical music to improve ones ability to memorize new words. Many tape programs today including the popular Accelerated Learning system (guaranteed language comprehension in 30 days) makes use of classical music on their audio programs. Usually this is done by playing the music in the background with the words in the foreground and then with the words in the background as you focus on the music in the foreground.

Not only does this music find a powerful place in study but it is also being released for playing to babies – new born and in the womb. They even sell headphones designed for the mothers stomach so that she may pass on the powers of Mozart to her child during pregnancy. 

As it appears to fit into almost every form of learning experience – I have concluded that it will fit just as well with the Martial Arts. In my system of martial science we are focused on teaching and learning via mind, body and spirit. So it is only natural that we extend this phenomenon over to our program.

SOUNDS IMPORTANT?

From Zen monasteries to intensive care units, accounts abound of men and women who experienced the remission of a disease or disorder as the result of some sound or melody, who went from agony to satori – bliss, sudden enlightenment, rebirth.

Depending on their wave forms and other characteristics, sounds can have a charging and releasing effect. In some cases, they positively charge the brain and body. At times, loud pulsating music can energize us and mask or release pain and tension from the body, and help us break through to new levels of achievement.

In the martial arts for example, sounds customarily accompany certain movements. When a martial arts practitioner utters a "Kiai" or another strong vocalization, he or she is simultaneously releasing and directing energy.

On the other side the wrong sounds used at the wrong times can bring immediate headaches, extreme discomfort and disequilibrium. Low-frequency sounds can also invade the body, pierce the eardrum, and create stress, muscle contractions, and pain. An estimated 60 million Americans have hearing loss and a third of those losses are caused by exposure to loud sounds. People who work with jackhammers, snowmobiles, tractors, shop tools, lawnmowers, and even vacuum cleaners are at a constant risk

A California study reported that 61 percent of college freshmen showed a measurable hearing loss in the high frequency ranges caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. Rock concerts are among the worst threats, which is why, most rock musicians wear earplugs when they perform. The heavy metal band Motley Crue agreed to sell earplugs at its performances. 

Don't wear headphones while you work out
And although headphones are convenient and affordable and have made the worlds greatest music accessible to the ordinary person, they can also lead to hearing loss. 

During exercise, your body pumps blood and oxygen into your arms and legs, leaving the delicate linings of your inner ears dangerously unprotected. Headphones, which transmit primarily low-frequency sounds can contribute to dullness of hearing, ringing in the ears, and eventually deafness. If you must use headphones then opt for the padded version over the kind that you put directly into your ears.

Improving your hearing
One simple exercise is to remove your visual cues in order to enhance your overall hearing. In a safe part of your home or office, experiment for 15 to 30 minutes by keeping your eyes closed and simply listening to the world around you. Feel the sounds coming from all directions. Learn to differentiate between them. Is the hum of your refrigerator different from that of the air conditioner or other appliances? What others sounds can you hear – birds, wind, rain etc.

Sonic Vitamin C
The most stimulating and charging aspects of sound are in the high-frequency range. The higher the frequencies help activate our brains and increase attentiveness. To create this effect, turn down the bass volume (and the midrange if you have graphic), on your sound system and bring up the treble. Music with violins will help you obtain the most "nutritious" results. 

The right sound
If possible, your right ear should be directed toward the speaker. Nerve impulses from the right ear travel directly to the left brain, where the speech centers are located, whereas nerve impulses from the left ear make a longer journey through the right brain, which does not have corresponding speech centers, and then back to the left brain. Thus resulting in a delayed response and a subtle loss in attentiveness and vocalization. This is not only useful when listening to music but also in class. Situate yourself so that your instructor is slightly to your right. Follow the same rule when in a conversation, using the telephone or having a meeting. This can improve listening, focus, and retention of the information presented. Whether you are arranging your sound system or choosing a seat in a classroom you can increase your overall learning powers. 

Training
Playing music while you train can help to create a dynamic balance between the more logical left and the more intuitive right hemispheres – an interplay thought to be the basis of creativity.

All in all music affects the respiration, affects our heartbeat, reduces muscle tension, enhances brain power and improves body movement and coordination. It affects body temperature, can increase endorphin levels, regulates stress hormones and can boost the immune function. Music changes our perception of space and time, strengthens our memory, improves learning and boosts productivity. Music enhances romance, sexuality, endurance, and stimulates digestion. 

It's good for you – that's why.

WHY MOZART?

Was Mozart known for his superior skills in the martial arts? No. Then why am I writing and article that includes his name? Well, if you haven't figured it out yet… I am going to suggest that you practice the martial arts with music by Mozart playing the background. Okay – why not Bach and the Martial Arts or Vivaldi and the Martial arts? Well… because Mozart and the Martial Arts just sounds better. And I mean that literally – let me explain:

It has been found again and again that regardless of a listeners tastes or previous exposure to the composer, the music of Mozart invariably calmed listeners, improved spatial perception, and allowed them to express themselves more clearly – communicating with both heart and mind. Mozart indisputably achieved the best results and long term reactions, regardless of location.

The rhythms, melodies and high frequencies of Mozart's music stimulates and charges the creative and motivational regions of the brain. Yet it all sounds so pure and simple. Mozart has an effect or an impact the others do not have. If you desire to learn more about this research I suggest books by Dr. Alfred Tomatis for the past and Don Cambell for the present. 

Listening to Mozart is great for:

Communication
Learning
Reading
Auditory Processing
Motivation
Well-Being
Social Skills
Second Language Acquisition
Writing
Creativity
Musical Ability
Self Esteem
Attention
Voice Quality
Memory

and of course – Martial Arts.

DR. ALFRED TOMATIS

Dr. Tomatis laid the groundwork for a new multi-disciplinary science called Audio-Psycho-Phonology (APP). It explains "why the way we listen" has a profound impact on almost all aspects of our being. In the early 50's, Dr. Tomatis also discovered that Listening Problems are the root cause of many learning disabilities.

Throughout 50 years of clinical and experimental research Dr. Tomatis chose only one composer – Wolfgang Amadeus. He found that Mozart was universally accepted and had the best therapeutic results especially the violin concertos and created the greatest healing effect on the human body.

Dr. Tomatis not only discovered the root cause of learning disabilities, but also developed a highly effective technique to remedy them. Thanks to his revolutionary discoveries, he enriched the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and adults. It has helped adults fight depression, learn foreign languages faster, develop better communication skills, and improve creativity and on-the-job performance. Finally, many clients report psychological gains: improved self-confidence, higher levels of energy and motivation, greater clarify of mind, and a sense of well-being.

Making use of Mozart is a powerful tool that is easy to follow, effective, inexpensive and self-administered.

Music itself is rapidly becoming the common tongue of the modern world. People today spend more money, time and energy on music than on books, movies, and sports. The most popular cultural icons of our era are not statesman or saints, but singers and vocalists. Beyond our addiction to rock concerts and CD's, stereos, and MTV, our daily communication and commerce is largely based on a musical model.

    From Don Campbell's book, "The Mozart Effect"

Music truly is the universal language cutting across all ages, sexes, races and religion. Music helps plants grow, lulls children to sleep, marches men to war, artist to paint and ninjas to jump.

After many years of using music for my own studies I have come to include it as part of my daily diet. I play Mozart when I drive, when I study and in my martial art schools. I suggest you do the same. 

So, what next? You will need to start improving your Mozart collection. Here is a simple easy to follow guide:

  • Get out of the house
  • Visit you nearest bookstore or music store
  • Browse the Mozart CD's
  • Pay attention to those designed for brain power
  • Buy one, two or more
  • Listen to it repeatedly

I prefer the cd's by Don Campbell called "The Mozart Effect" but I also have and make use of a number of other cd's in my collection that I enjoy on a regular basis.  Be creative and find a few that appeal to you.

Sensei Tew

RTMS Head Instructor