|
|
|
Training Answers from John Du Cane for 2006-04
|
|
Question
|
JT_76: April 07 2006
|
|
Anyone here meditate regularly?
|
|
And if so have you noticed an improvement in your athletic performance in particular and mood/outlook in general?
I've always been interested in martial arts and started down the traditional path with Karate, Judo, Kung-Fu and all that and of course with those arts is a strong emphasis on development of the spirit and not just body. I would always start to meditate for a while and then quit after a while, just out of laziness coupled with skepticism.
But as I get older and more experienced I see how important the mental game is and how much a single minded focus in "the now" or "zone" will help your performance and general happiness really.
I've had a 3 month layoff due to shoulder surgery and I can tell that without having a physical outlet and something that really focuses my mind like grappling or lifting heavy, I seem more scatterbrained and find my inner voice chattering about meaningless things and worries about the past and future. Not trying to sound kooky, I can just tell that I've lost my focus.
Have you seen results using meditation to focus yourself and improve your performance/self? And if so, what's your method? Thanks for any info
|
|
Answer
|
John Du Cane: April 08 2006
|
|
From everything you say about yourself here, I would recommend for you personally to practice whatever mediation you chose, after vigorous physical activity.
The kind of meditation advocated by myself and others with an internal martial arts background without question helps calm the mind and avoid the preoccupation and inattentiveness which can contribute to poor performance in any activity.
Meditation is about enhancing awareness by being deeply alert.
I do recommend you read the free ebook Barely Sane mentions in his post. It will be a perfect primer for you and should give you all the help you need.
|
|
|
|
Question
|
JT_76: April 07 2006
|
|
Anyone here meditate regularly?
|
|
And if so have you noticed an improvement in your athletic performance in particular and mood/outlook in general?
I've always been interested in martial arts and started down the traditional path with Karate, Judo, Kung-Fu and all that and of course with those arts is a strong emphasis on development of the spirit and not just body. I would always start to meditate for a while and then quit after a while, just out of laziness coupled with skepticism.
But as I get older and more experienced I see how important the mental game is and how much a single minded focus in "the now" or "zone" will help your performance and general happiness really.
I've had a 3 month layoff due to shoulder surgery and I can tell that without having a physical outlet and something that really focuses my mind like grappling or lifting heavy, I seem more scatterbrained and find my inner voice chattering about meaningless things and worries about the past and future. Not trying to sound kooky, I can just tell that I've lost my focus.
Have you seen results using meditation to focus yourself and improve your performance/self? And if so, what's your method? Thanks for any info
|
|
Answer
|
John Du Cane: April 07 2006
|
|
Good stuff. He admired Wilhelm Reich's ideas about biodynamics and believed that one of the best ways, particularly for Westerners, to be able to go deep in meditation, was to begin with very vigorous movement. Of course plenty of religious groups have used similar methods. His dynamic meditations can be very powerful.
I have used this approach sometimes in my qigong classes.
|
|
|
|
Question
|
JT_76: April 07 2006
|
|
Anyone here meditate regularly?
|
|
And if so have you noticed an improvement in your athletic performance in particular and mood/outlook in general?
I've always been interested in martial arts and started down the traditional path with Karate, Judo, Kung-Fu and all that and of course with those arts is a strong emphasis on development of the spirit and not just body. I would always start to meditate for a while and then quit after a while, just out of laziness coupled with skepticism.
But as I get older and more experienced I see how important the mental game is and how much a single minded focus in "the now" or "zone" will help your performance and general happiness really.
I've had a 3 month layoff due to shoulder surgery and I can tell that without having a physical outlet and something that really focuses my mind like grappling or lifting heavy, I seem more scatterbrained and find my inner voice chattering about meaningless things and worries about the past and future. Not trying to sound kooky, I can just tell that I've lost my focus.
Have you seen results using meditation to focus yourself and improve your performance/self? And if so, what's your method? Thanks for any info
|
|
Answer
|
John Du Cane: April 07 2006
|
|
do an hour or more of standing "meditation" a day.
They consider it an essential practice for powerful movement, high energy, rootedness, focus and wellbeing.
For most, it is a tough, tough discipline to take on. Joining up with a teacher and a group to practice together, will help you get over the hump to where you appreciate the benefits enough to not want to quit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
