Decisions Athletes know the power of a fraction of a second. It can mean the difference between winning and losing. It is easy to understand this situation when looking at an outcome, such as a win or a loss, but what does this fraction of a second look like inside the mind? The photo above illustrates the mental game or … [Read more...]
Karate Belts and Visual Reminders
The last time I went to the dentist’s office I, as many do, had conversation with the woman who was cleaning my teeth. We talked about my schoolwork, her children, and many other usual things. To my great interest she mentioned a karate organization that her son, Sam, had joined. In this organization, the teachers take very much … [Read more...]
Sport Perfomance and Imagination
Imagination Imagination, or imagery practice, is a powerful way to enhance a sport performance because it recruits various senses. It is the senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, and vision that create the emotional hooks necessary for an efficient mental movie. The more senses you are able to incorporate into an imagery … [Read more...]
Imagery, Visualization and Performance
Imagery and Visualization Imagery and visualization are important mental tools often used by athletes.. The two terms are often used interchangeably despite their slightly different definitions. Visualization is more about having mental images or pictures. Imagery is considered a mental process that can involve all five senses. In … [Read more...]
Mental Focus in Sports
Training for the Mind: Race day training is defined as training at the pace you hope to run on race day. The reason an athlete incorporates this type of mental focus in sports is to practice the rhythm the body will feel at a desired pace. The body will remember what it feels like to run at the desired pace when race day … [Read more...]
Facing Adversity with Mindfulness
Facing Adversity with mindfulness The Carrots, Eggs and Coffee Story: I met with a college athlete last week who was struggling with balancing the demands of her sport, academics, and missing home. The level of confidence she once had was disappearing. She disliked most of her classes with the exception of one particular … [Read more...]
