A new year typically brings all kinds of new resolutions. New goals, new focus and an effort to get rid of things that aren’t helping you keep on track. Then, once you get back to your normal routine, after about the first week of January, it all falls apart. Does this mean you shouldn’t bother trying to improve? No! But it does mean that you should consider a different method to get results. A concept that you hear a lot about currently is mindfulness. According to Psychology Today, “mindfulness is the self regulation of attention with an attitude of curiosity, openness and acceptance.” You might be saying – wait – I thought it had something to do with deep breathing with your eyes closed. But that is meditation – which is the training ground for mindfulness.

 Now you might think that a sport where your opponent is trying to take your head off with a punch or kick is not the best place to introduce meditation. But karate is perfect place to introduce it because as you know, we start every class with a period of meditation – mokuso – where the intent is to relax and prepare for the training ahead. We finish class in the same way with a chance for quiet review of what we have accomplished. Mindfulness relies on becoming better meditators because, according to Mindfulness Coach Dave Charny, “the mark of a great athlete and skilled meditator is not the ability to be without distraction, expectation, or pressure, but to continue in spite of it.” There lots of mindfulness tools and apps available designed specifically for athletes to help you enhance focus and attention, body awareness and the ability to immerse yourself in the present moment – so maybe its time to reconsider resolutions and start thinking about engaging your mind for better performance.

Currently our competitive athletes are vying for spots on the junior and senior provincial teams, looking for an opportunity to represent Alberta at the Canadian National Championships to be held this year in March (Senior) and May (Junior). We wish them the best of luck in their preparations and offer our full support during our training sessions to help them meet their goals!

Announcements

• Please check your records to see that you are up to date in paying your training fees! Note that the three-month fee payment is due before the training session occurs.
• Class cancellations: Friday, February 14 for school use.

 “Respond from the center of the hurricane, rather than reacting from the chaos of the storm.” George Mumford, The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance

Enjoy Your Training!

Gary Sabean

Head Instructor