Meditation for Martial Artists
by stacia on July 25, 2010
in marital arts, meditation
I’m behind in my reading.
It might be because I have so many book laying around the house and office that I forget which ones I’d been so focused on at the store. If you read my blog over on www.sybir.com you know I have a problem with bookstores, I just can’t get out of one for under $80. Pricey if I get too near Borders once a week.
I’ve been focused on my freelance work lately, and have neglected my writing focus for MBS Works. Writing focus for here? Yes, that includes:
- This blog
- Researching Self Defense authors and books for Everything Self Defense
- Co-writing a book with the experts over at ACSS Transitions
- and a score of other things that I try to keep up with….
You should see my to do list.
Black Belt - Sept 2010
In reading an article, “The Inverse Pearl” in Black Belt magazine today, I was reminded about why and how I use meditation in my life. It reminded me that on the days I keep meditation in my schedule, I get far more done in less time. I’m more focused in the dojo or the gym. This is true for me in life and training.
While training for my black belt, I used my hypnosis training and recorded several hypnosis sessions to listen to nightly. I needed to increase my focus and my speed during sparring sessions. I’m little, so I had to use every training advantage I could so I could land my hits on larger and stronger opponents.
Did it work?
YES. My awareness is actually heightened as well. I’ve been known to grab a fork from mid-air when pup’s accidentally flipped it out of his ice cream dish. Shocked silence greeted the table one night at a local restaurant. Nick, my husband, glossed over it with a comment about “mommy’s got mad ninja skills”.
I’ve been meditating since around the age of 12. It’s been one of the best skill my mother taught me (although she’s taught me a lot).
Meditation helps to increase awareness and focus. It can help power through a workout and manage pain. Athletes use visualization techniques all the time to help improve their natural abilities. Meditation, or no mind, helps you to achieve a balance in body and mind. As Stephen Blazac points out in his article, “Zen Buddhists describe it as a mind of no hesitation, no interruption, no mediacy.”
Can you imagine what a skill this is to have in any martial arts encounter? Can you imagine being able to teach that skill to your students or even your children?
Paving a new path in fitness and bodybuilding…
I’ve been trained to focus on a high protein, low carb diet for bodybuilding and weight loss/fitness training. I’m not saying it was wrong. I lost a ton of weight, added a ton of muscle and loved my overall physique. But, I’ve been reading…..
I hated the carb crashing and moodiness around 5pm because I was starving for energy.
Soooo, now, we’re going to try something new.
I’m not sure how it’s going to work out. But, you can follow me on my journey. I’m going to keep up to date via video, podcasts and regular posts. And for the record…I hate being on film or photos unless I am completely lean and makeup and hair done just so. Fault the years I spent as student model for my mother’s photography classes. I try to avoid the camera. Professional shots are WELL planned.
I’m going to place myself in front of it. Mostly, just to see if what I think can be done, can, in fact, be done.
What are we doing?
Ohhh, so glad you asked. We’re going VEGAN! And, we’re going to be bodybuilding and doing martial arts.
Yes, I’m crazy. But, I’m also determined. I needed a new goal, and this is it. It feels right. I love bodybuilding and martial arts. This from the person who never competed in sports growing up or had any inclination to do anything other than roller skate and ride her bike. I was not an athlete.
I am now.
After the Lean Down
My new mantra….I am a bodybuilder. Not as dedicated as others I know, but I’ve dipped my toes in and kinda like it. *winks* Actually, I love the goal setting and putting the work in.
I am a marital artist. Again, not as dedicated as many I know, but I do love it and think everyone should learn the basics. And, I love the goal setting and putting the work in.
Do we sense a theme here? I might have lost my way for awhile. I’m back now.
But, there are challenges.
My Challenges.
I ‘ve gained weight. OMG, my mother is in heaven over that. I’ve always been a lightweight, ignored foods, etc. But something switched in my body over the last few years (we’ll blame AGE) and now, I’m going to have to work my tail off, literally, to get and stay in good shape. I’m “about” 15lbs too heavy, but considering I was way too light when Bodybuilding the first time….this time, I have a better platform to work with. If I lean down the right way? Oh hell….my overall muscle tone will just shine.
I’m turning 37 in a few weeks. OMG, I’m inching into my late 30′s. ACK. Insert meltdown here. Yeah, ah no. Sorry. Age is a number. Did you know the human body is actually designed to live HUNDREDS of years? We just are so bad about taking care of it, it fails on us. Bad humans. LOL.
Seriously, why now? Well, I need to do something. I’m not happy with myself. So, it’s a good time to focus and make those changes. Time to get the energy levels up!
I’ve been doing a lot of reading. Always a sure sign I’m about to make a change.
Here’s the change.
Cameron Shaye
I’ve slowly been working more raw food meals and vegetarian meals into my overall day. Now, we’re going mainstream…it still may be a slower process than others have done, but my goal is vegan. Not just vegetarian, but pure vegan (good bye my beloved cheeses….sighs). And a bodybuilder/martial artist to boot. I’ve seen some great articles recently. Cameron Shayne the creator of Budokon is Vegan. You go check out his site….look at him, and tell me you can’t be healthy and ripped as a Vegan. Go on….see picture….really….do it.
I’ll be chronicling my progress, or lack there of, here. If you’re not interested, just click through. I promise, I’ll still be adding in all the holistic information as well. I just notice on the days I eat more raw foods/vegan meals, I feel far more energetic. I’d like to see how that impacts my training and cardio. Plus…I’d like to skip the whole cancer/disease route. I love my vitamins, but think my foods could do a lot better.
And we could all do with less processed foods.
Tomorrow, mapping out a meal plan.
Namaste all.
Back to the Gym & Loving It
by stacia on May 17, 2010
in Goals, broken bones, change, fitness, marital arts
When I'm focused and sculpting
I’ve been lazy this winter/spring. I seem to let everything else get in the way of getting a workout in (although, my husband would probably disagree….as were at the gym a lot, I just feel like I’ve been slacking).
Work. Play. Meetings. Sleep.
I keep wondering where my previous dedication went? Where is the woman who worked hard and worked out harder? She was up training 2 hours every Saturday BEFORE class to work on her martial arts skills. She powered though painful workouts when her shoulder was screaming at her. (Remember, recovered motorcycle accident victim…all my own doing.)
I think I’ve figured it out. It’s a down cycle.
For all the years of focus, determination, and dedication, my body and brain demanded a rest. A respite. Regardless of the fact that I didn’t really want one. (So for the friends who tell me I need to relax and take a break….this is for you, you know who you are 
) And for the record, I never used to like working out. Oh, as a kid I roller skated, rode my bike, but never was into sports or anything like that. Solo sports are more my speed. I like to challenge myself. Apparently, as an adult, I’ve learned the benefits of working out and I like the results.
And then, sometimes, the subconscious will kick your butt without you realizing it. Your body and brain demand a break.
But, now, it’s time for the break to be over. It’s gone on long enough to actually annoy me. That’s saying a lot.
I need a new goal. Something I’m passionate about. Originally, it was to prove to myself that I could heal and become whole again. Thus, the learning to love the gym and sculpting my body (yes, that’s ME in the picture – whole and healthy and happily adding weight back after dropping way too low – god bless good food and a tan). Next up, black belt…worked 2 years on that one, and finally achieved it, most of it on my own with Sensei’s help. But, the gym and lifting fell to the side.
Now, I need to figure out how to blend it…and determine a new goal. Somehow, after working towards my black belt…I lost sight of the next step. Where am I going now?
How do I find this new goal?
- Read everything health & fitness related I can.
- Talk to business partners, industry experts, etc. to figure out where the challenge is.
- Meditate – look inward to see what it is I want to accomplish next.
Of course, I’m always open to recommendations. What about you? What goals are you setting? Physical, mental or emotional?
PS – I’m slightly tempted to go back to competing, just to get myself refocused…we’ll see. I’m sure I’ll post up the next step. 
Do share yours!
