Mental toughness
It’s easy to say we should have “no mind” in martial arts. Some question what this even means. This blog will discuss the idea of stillness and mindfulness in what we do in Total 360 karate.
We begin all of our classes with Mokuso, which translates into meditation. There are no religious overtones when it comes to this. This is an opportunity for the students to clear their minds of what they have been doing all day and prepare for training. Understand the more you free the mind, the better your training will be.
These concepts are used in Yoga, Pilates, and other martial arts. The mind is powerful, and it can help you do things you never thought possible if it can focus on the task at hand. When calm, the mind is prepared to take on anything. I have seen students return from injuries, surgeries, depression, and life events by focusing on the task rather than the event.
We will not win the event, be the best at everything we do, get the perfect grade every time, or be successful every time. Use mental toughness and Mokuso as a tool to help get you ready to be where you want to be.
In our sparring classes, we teach students not to expect a punch or a kick but to be free from expectation and react to what is coming. Flow with the event and allow yourself to be in the moment of what you need to do. In no way am I say not to prepare for the event, but to allow your mind and body to be free when the time comes.
This all sounds good, how do I get to Mokuso, or how do I clear my mind? We need to sit in a place that allows us a few minutes. Take in deep breaths and free them. When a thought comes into the mind, instead of fighting it. Examine it and then move on. The time frame for Mokuso depends on each student. When you feel you reached a calming place, work your way back to yourself and begin your event.
There are several exercises students can do to help remind themselves to stay in the moment, which include finger tracing, fingertip touching, mantras, and calming breaths. The life of martial arts is battered with ups and downs. Let’s learn to take these events with a calming mind.
True strength comes from the mind.
Michael Rodgers
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