Athletes, you need a mental toolbox. You need to have a variety of mental tools to use to help you excel. Many high-level athletes in high schools and clubs often are forced to improve their mental game when competing in college athletics. One reason so many don't come in with a solid mental game is because they are talented … [Read more...]
How Do I Practice Mindfulness?
Practicing Mindfulness The first step of physical mindfulness training is practicing breathing on a daily basis. This consists of sitting for 10 minutes and simply focusing on being aware of your breathing. The intention is simply to be with your mind and observe the thoughts that come and go without judgement. Another way to … [Read more...]
Meditation and Athletes: Program Recommendations
Meditation is becoming popular for many reasons, especially related to health. Athletes are also taking up the practice more and more because research has shown that meditation can be used as a tool to manage pain, decrease anxiety and improve focus. Therefore, meditation and athletes shouldn't be such an uncommon pairing anymore. … [Read more...]
Manage Sport Anxiety with Imagery and Breath
"Visualization is everything. if you can imagine something, you can do it. Nothing happens in reality until it happens in your mind first." --Jim Carrey Why Imagery? Researchers are finding that not only the words you tell yourself affect your physiology but so do your mental images. If you picture the worst case scenario, … [Read more...]
Mindfulness Meditation Guide: Getting You Started
Derived from the 2,500-year-old Buddhist practice known as Vipassana (also called Insight Meditation), mindfulness meditation represents a research-based form of meditation that is designed to heighten our perception of inner and outer experience while showcasing acceptance, compassion, and patience. Mindfulness seems difficult at … [Read more...]
Mindfulness for Athletes: Self Talk Is Key
Mindfulness for Athletes Explaining mindfulness to athletes has taught me that just knowing how to define a term or concept does not mean it is easy to put it into practice. Many athletes are more familiar with the term sports psychology. But mindfulness is becoming a huge movement in the area of athlete performance. In simple … [Read more...]
Mindfulness Breathing For Sports
Mindfulness Breathing For Sports Mindfulness in sports begins with the principle of breathing. This article will focus on actual techniques aimed at slowing down the central nervous system through the use of breathing techniques and physical stretches. This is an important tool for any athlete to practice because of the profound … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Being in the NOW
5 Tips for Being in the NOW The only moment that matters is NOW. Now spelled backward is WON. Being in the NOW means you have WON! Tip #1 Have a reminder that consistently brings you into the moment. For example, the watch in the picture is a great reminder to be here at the moment. Other ideas: a colored … [Read more...]
The Monsters In Your Head
Anxiety and Athletes: The Monsters In Our Heads Have you ever wondered who is that voice in your head that doubts your abilities or who says to you, "you can't do this!"? Or maybe you have been awake at night battling the monsters in your head that contain messages of self-doubt, worry, and anxiety. The good news is you are not … [Read more...]
The Monkey Mind and Mindfulness
"You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." -- Jon Kabat-Zinn The term “Monkey Mind” stems from the observation that left untamed, our minds' natural state can tend toward being unsettled, indecisive and uncontrollable. However, the Buddhist and many others know that you have the power to tame your monkey mind and … [Read more...]
