Monday, January 15, 2007

Mental Training

It’s a new year – and as such an opportunity for us to sharpen things – of course on a physical level, but I also mean mentally in terms of etiquette.

Martial artists use etiquette/discipline as a form of mental training – it’s about achieving a certain mental state. Through such practices the student can learn to control the controllable whilst developing mushin (no-mind) or alertness; they also become more self-aware recognising what causes their mind to become agitated and lose balance.

As time progresses students realise that saying “Yes Sir” isn’t for their instructors benefit, but is actually a key part of their own mental training.

Sports psychologists talk about mental toughness building confidence, teaching to control emotion and aiding concentration. All of these are essential for the expert martial artist.