~ How to balance the Earth element in the game of tennis and in life ~
Here is the thing – still after 40 years I really love the craft that I am working on. I even dare to say I am entusiastic and determined to go all the way. My task is to shed new light on life in general by utilising an ancient tool whose origins go back further than 2400 years in ancient China. It is the world’s oldest personality type system, used to this day in many places in the East and in our part of the world. In this blog post I will use this tool to shed new light on the game of tennis.
When I started studying the principles of the 5 elements, it was like embarking on an exciting journey that has continued to excite me and provide me with lifelong learning. Are you ready for me to take you on an adventurous journey? This blog post will be a mix of tennis on ATP and WTA level, the 5 elements in chinese philosophy and chinese astrology.
Its all about keeping your own rhythm, while you break the rhythm of your opponent
The ancient Chinese observed the influence of the elements in various contexts in their lives and used this knowledge. Not least, the combination of the elements and astrology was used to gain an understanding of the possibilities for planning an upcoming event etc.
In fact the 5 elements and Chinese astrology has a lot to do with life in general, but it also has and more to do with tennis than you could actually imagine. When you step onto the tennis court you will try hard to keep your own rhythm, while you try to break the rhythm of your opponent.
The 5 elements helps you to undertsand better how to maintian your own rhythm in such a way, that it makes it more difficult for your opponent to keep theirs. On a mental level this is what the game is all about.
(If you haven’t yet read my last blog post, “Can you read the game“, I recommend you do so first to get some basic knowledge).
Casper Ruud – the typical Earth type
After Casper Ruud’s quick exit from the US Open, there has been a lot of talk and writing online. For Casper, 2023 has been a somewhat mixed season – either he goes out quickly in tournaments or he goes all the way to the final, only to lose.
This blog post is more about the Earth type itself in relation to the 5 elements than about Casper Ruud himself or any other person. But allow me to use Casper as an example of how we can shed new light on the game and understand things with more clarity.
Incidents are far from random. Let me explain using the 5 elements, what I mean.
Casper Ruud, the world no. five (ATP ranking), is the typical Earth type. We can see it in his play and his drive. His game is normally solid and very well structured. He´s usually hard to beat.
Element Earth – the element most resistent to change
In the original records of Chinese medicine and the 5 elements, the Earth element was located at the very centre of the circle. The quality of Earth is stability and immovability. It is the only element of the 5 that are resistent to change.
In ancient times, placing this element in the centre was to illustrate that it lies between something. The Earth element represents late summer including all the times of the year that are in transition from one season to another.
What does it mean for the game of tennis? To be precise the Earth type is the one of the 5 basic element types that has the hardest time adapting or changing things, when they are behind or loosing. In reality, for a player like Casper Ruud, this means that the structure of his game is very solid, and at his best he can act as a “wall” that sends everything back with great force. But what if somewhere in the structure there´s a weakness?
Even a solid structure in the game can collapse
If the Earth type are challenged and his game falls apart, it will be difficult in this kind of condition to regroup the resources to get back into the fight, unless there is a strong secondary element to draw on.
If we take Davidovich Fokina, another typical Earth type, he has the fire element to draw on, which gives him great strength and a strong, persistent drive. But for him, however, there can be other challenges as well, such as if the fire has been too powerful and perhaps even out of control, it can end up burning out.
Davidovich Fokina has proven to play really strong at times this year. His advantage is that he was born in a Rabbit year, and therefore he will probably experience it here in the Year of the Water Rabbit 2023, that he plays on home ground wherever he plays.
For a player with a very strong grounding in the Earth element, such as Casper Ruud, it is necessary to build qualities into the training and the game, that can balance the earth element. It´s clear that Ruud also got some influence from the metal and wood element. But in this case, the influence of wood or fire is especially needed. In reality, this means that a more reckless energy is needed to create a balance – reckless in a positive sense. Let me explain.
“The worker bee” needs a strong focus and determination
To understand what is meant by reckless in this context, you need to know more about how is the drive of Earths. What most Earths have in common is that they are “the worker bees”. They’re usually calm and not the ones promoting themselves to be at the centre of attention, but they would definitely be the ones who step in between two warring parties to mediate.
They care about people and they are very empatic too. In front of others they tend to put themselves last. They would do anything to make people feel good and feel valued. They are incredibly caring when it comes down to it and they don’t like to step on other people’s toes. When it comes down to it, they have great team-spirit.
So recklessness in this context means, that you achieve balance by drawing your energy home to yourself. You don´t spread your energy. In terms of tennis, this means that you don’t step on the court to fulfil other people’s expectations. You’re prepared to play your game and take your chances at all costs to improve your own game.
The impulses that flow towards you are right for you and you follow them regardless of what others may think. This is very much the drive of Woods – couragious, strong/ stronger and fast / faster etc. In terms of tennis a Earth type need more of this kind of drive to balance his / her dominant element. Then there is a better chance he or she can regroup the energies during challenging times on court.
Caroline Wozniacki is currently making a comeback at the US Open and she’s doing it in style. The former world number one, who took a 3-year break and started a thriving family, is back with a determination that is unmistakable.
She doesn’t compete for fun, she competes to win and now she’s in the fourth round despite dealing with arthritis. It’s this determined drive and willingness to go all in that characterises the Wood element. We can all learn from this example.
“We all have inner demons to fight. We call these demons fear, hatred, and anger. If you don´t conquer them, then a life of hundred years is a tragedy. If you do, a life of a single day can be a triumph.”
~ Yip Man, The legendary Wing Chun Master.
Earth and Water
Why is the year of the Water Rabbit challenging for the Earth type in general? To answer this question you need to know a little about chinese medicine. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) there is a special relation between element earth and water. Each element in the pentagram nourishes one other element and at the same time it controls and overcomes yet another element. Earth controls Water and there’s a chance it will block the flow of water in 2023.
Earths need to learn how to guide the water to where it needs to flow otherwise, you can easily misuse your own resources and loose balance. You need to know how to hold back and not to take on too much responsibility. Sometimes it’s necessary to say NO to other people, without responding to the feeling of guilt for not being there etc.
So in order not to block the flow of Water, you need to learn how to listen, to digest impressions and experiences and be responsive to the situation. In that way you wait for the best time to act.
This is one of the major challenges for the Earth type. According to TCM the Earth element is related to the stomach and the spleen. So Earths need to do some mental digesting in order to remain balanced, otherwise they tend to end up with unsolved feelings like worry. They definitely needs spaces in between activities, where they can rest, chill out and digest. QiGong practice is a very good way to establish a deeper balance.
These are, of course, general guidelines for the Earth type and must be followed up with adjustments on a case-by-case basis.
Balance the compulsive need to give
Earths really want to bring people together and make them feel valued. They are the good people, who care about others.
If you’ve ever been served a cup of hot cacoa by the fireplace on a chilly evening or if someone has given you some kind of special attention, without expecting anything in return, you can count on them to have a strong Earth element in action.
The moment Earths learn how to balance their compulsive need to give or to support and to protect something or someone, they stay balanced and are amazing people to socialize with.
So when it comes to publicly shaming an Earth type like Casper Ruud using demeaning phrases, it’s completely foolish. It would really surprice me if Casper Ruud is done with elite tennis as some people claims. Casper was born in the year of the Earth Tiger and when he really hits his peak, he’s quite a fighter.
There are good chances he will come back stronger, if not sooner, then in 2024 – the year of the Wood Dragon. But he probably still needs to ajust things a little during 2024 before his comeback is complete, as the element wood first need to balance earth.
Examples of great Earths are Lady Diana, Ed Sheeran and Robbin Williams.
Thank you for your time….
If you reached so far I like to thank you – you probably found this topic worth spending time on. I have the same feeling – it´s so exciting.
During this year’s US open, It is so exiting to watch which tennis player best hits the Zone. Everything is open and everything can happen in tennis.
– And I am here, ready, to help you if you need a consultation.
I currently offer 1:1 sessions in English and Danish
I am a mental supervisor. If you are professional and have a team, I offer Add- ons to what you already have. If you’re on your way to becoming a professional, I can help you too.
>Clarify your competences through your particular constellation of elements and astrological aspects.
>How to best prioritise your resources in the Year of the Water Rabbit. We also look further into the future.
>Get the tools to empower your game.
>Simple QiGong exercises as a supplement to your training.
Try a free 30-minute info call on ZOOM and learn more about what I can offer you, and how this can become the gamechanger you have been looking for.
Contact me today.
Lars Christian Schmith, Fulltime QiGong instructor, educational manager and mental supervisor.
Blog post: Can you read the game?
Workshops, retreats and education programs
In our workshops, retreats and programmes, you learn QiGong together with others – it’s both fun and empowering.
At QiGong Zen Academy, we emphasise positive change and community. We are passionate about both QiGong and Energy Medicine.
In the more intensive programmes, such as our retreats and courses, the training has a longer-term goal.
On the QiGong Instructor Programme (6 or 12 months) and the Luohan Gong Programme (4 months) we work with QiGong, and on the advanced programme we work more with NeiGong.
You are welcome to join the class. Teachings are offered in danish as well as english.
Lars Christian Schmith – August 2023.
