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Train Your Mind and the Body Will Follow
Robert Jones
The mind is the master of the body. If we train and discipline
our minds, the body will follow. Once the body and mind become
focused and in tune, you will see that your whole life will
seem to flow; like you are in the zone. In other words, you
will not be fighting with yourself and good things will just
seem to happen for you. We use this simple exercise in my
martial arts school at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts in
Bellevue before we start training.
Here is an easy way to start training your mind:
First warm up your body so that you are not tired. A few minutes
of light stretches will do the trick. Then sit very comfortably
without loud music or distractions. (Can't find a place? Try
the bathroom, you only need 5 minutes :).
Start by placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Breathe
in through your nose for a count of 4 or so. Then breathe
out through your mouth for a count of 6 to 8. The out breath
should always be longer than the in breath. Do this five to
ten times. Focus on nothing but the count. Counting will give
your mind something to focus on, which will help prevent the
mind from wandering or being distracted. This simple exercise
will re-energize you, re-focus you, and get your mind under
control.
A few tips to go along with this breathing exercise:
1) Keep your back straight.
2) Eyes should remain open, but soften your vision. (Do not
focus your eyes on anything specific)
3) Place your hands comfortably in your lap.
4) Breathe deep. Pull the air all the way to the bottom of
your stomach.
5) Control the breath out. Don't let the air just escape.
This is a very involved process and there are many reasons
it works; too many to give you in one page. Just like aspirin,
you may not know the chemical make up, but you know it gets
rid of the headache. This exercise can get you focused, distress
and unite the mind and body. It works if you do it. Try it
for 2 weeks, for 3 to 5 minutes a day. You will be calmer
and more focused than ever. Add some physical exercise, like
martial arts, and you will get a one-two punch that can truly
change your life.
We spend way to much time on everything and everyone but we
seem to ignore ourselves. The time we spend on ourselves is
less than most people spend brushing their teeth…. We really
owe it to ourselves to take a little time for just ourselves.
I hope you can take some time for yourself to recharge, because
everything is a continuous cycle and just as mediation breathing
is a cycle, so is your positive energy and if you feel good
you are passing that to others and the cycle continues.
Robert Jones runs 3 successful martial arts schools
in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Federal Way Washington. For over
20 years he has been helping families to improve their lives
through the practice of martial arts. To help people choose
a good school he has written a comprehensive consumer guide
on How
to Pick a Martial Arts School.
He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141.
His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue
Martial Arts and Self Defense.
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