How do people walk on burning coals unharmed?

Gnomon

Firstly, they go through a series of exercises which increase the blood flow to their feet, increasingly the cooling effect. Secondly, the exercises also have the psychological effect of reducing the pain from the feet so that the people feel no pain even though their feet are starting to burn. You can't just walk straight out onto the coals. You have to go through the ritual which prepares you first. I haven't done it myself though. These explanations are only relying on what other people have told me. I'd like to see a scientific study. Dec 06 02, 8:50 AM

Bennett

The scientific study I saw in a documentary said that their feet are in contact with the heat for about a quarter of a second. They walk fast across the coals and the heat hasn't got enough time to transfer all it's energy within that time scale. Dec 06 02, 4:31 PM

Linus

Bennett is correct. This was ably demonstrated on a British TV programme last year when Uri Geller and some others of a similar ilk walked across hot coals(having 'mentally prepared themselves' and whilst shouting 'cool wet grass'). An elderly scientist in the audience declared that anyone could do it and that it had less to do with positive thinking and psychic ability than with making sure you don't allow your feet to being in contact with the coals for more than a split second. With that, he whipped off his shoes and socks and walked from one end of the hot cinder track to the other, completely unscathed. Keep bending the spoons, Uri. Dec 06 02, 9:07 PM

Kainantu

I did the firewalk 5 years ago. Process: *Learn to breathe, making the out-breath longer ( used in meditation - has a calming effect) *Repeat 'Cool moss' over and over throughout the walk and have a mental picture of it. ( Keeps the right brain occupied with the idea of coolness) *Look up throughout the entire walk. ( One is less likely to 'freak out' at the sight of the red-hot coals. The looking up also accesses the visual area of the brain which is also seeing the cool moss) *Focus on completing the walk. The waiting process whilst in line was an adrenaline rush plus, especially when you could see assistants shoveling the red-hot coals into a wheelbarrow from unused rows and scattering them onto your path. Prayer: ' Please God. Don't let them put new coals on top of my row!' It was about 2 o'clock in the morning . The heat from the 20 or so rows was like standing next to a bonfire.. Spooky shadows were being projected onto nearby walls. The voices of the walkers to be were low and muffled in nervous expectation. Our feet were very cold and we were barefooted waiting for about half-an-hour on cold concrete. Was it easy? Yes Did I get burnt? No Were there any flames on the path I walked? No How long did it take? The process was over before I had time to count. Would I do it again? Yes Why did I do it? It was a very small part of a 50+ hour seminar What was its purpose? ' If I can do this I can do anything.' Would I recommend anyone else do it? If you think you can't do it, you should. Note: NEVER do this at home. Choose only the best and do an Anthony Robbins seminar and change your life at the same time. Just typing this has created an overwhelming feeling of euphoria! Anyone want a mountain moved?%0 Dec 08 02, 4:24 AM