The mind rules the body
The boys have been moving through their Kung Fu training really well over the last 2 years and recently moved into the more challenging brown belt training. At this point in training there is a lot to remember. A great deal of focus is required to make it through the different sets of forms, styles and “other things”. I’m consistently impressed with what they do.
BUT I’ve noticed that now, with school in session, that their progress has slowed and with the holidays in swing they are even regressing a bit so this Saturday we stayed home to do training rather that going to their normal lesson.
What could a father who is not trained in Kung Fu teach his kids??? Well, obviously I can’t teach them kung fu… I mean, I’m no Keanu Reeves but I remembered something that I shared with the boys and it’s something that I want them to remember throughout life…. the power of visualization.
As we stood in the living room and they each struggled through a long set of forms with 22 movements I had them stop, go sit in separate rooms and close their eyes and go through the form in their head a few times. Following that I did a little lesson on the whiteboard… amazingly they didn’t go to sleep… amazingly they asked questions.. BUT… I don’t want them to forget the lesson which is why I’m adding it here.
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Maybe you heard the now famous story of a Dr. Blaslotto who, many years ago did an experiment at the University of Chicago with some basketball players?? Well if not here is the short version…
He took a group of players and split them into three groups:
- The first group actually went on the court and practiced free throws from the foul line. They did this every day for 20 minutes.
- The second group did NOTHING…. no practicing. Lazy bums.
- The third group VISUALIZED the full act. They didn’t play, just sat quietly watching mental movies of themselves make perfect shot after perfect shot… the arc of the ball, the sound of the net, the motion of their muscles.. the thrill of each successful shot.
