| The human mind is an amazing thing, capable of | | | | complex physical acts, from basketball free throws |
| visualizing everything from what to eat for dinner to | | | | to combat self defense situations. The body has a |
| detailed hand to hand combat training. Most people | | | | 'knowledge' of how to achieve a certain goal, and |
| in the Western world, however, have no idea what | | | | visualizing that goal being achieved unlocks the body's |
| that means. It means, in essence, that you can | | | | knowledge and allows it to become reality. So in a |
| obtain a definitive advantage over your opponents -- | | | | very real sense, hand to hand combat training can be |
| both in the dojo and in out-and-out combat self | | | | reinforced and even strongly amplified by proper |
| defense situations -- by sitting still and imagining. | | | | visualization. |
| Want proof? Here's an exercise. | | | | So what is 'proper' visualization? |
| Imagine you are standing in whatever class you take | | | | Here's an example of a visualization technique that |
| for your hand to hand combat training. Try to | | | | works for millions of people across the world: |
| picture it as clearly as you can. Do you feel a | | | | First, decide what you want to achieve. Don't |
| change come over your body? Are you getting | | | | decide how, just what. Even if it's a flawless victory |
| tense, relaxed, pumped up, or determined and gritty | | | | over your sifu, don't hold back -- just decide. |
| while you sit there and read? Chances are good | | | | Take twenty minutes or so. Relax, turn off any |
| that you feel something -- because the body can't | | | | and all distractions, take the phone off the hook -- |
| always determine what is being visualized and what is | | | | whatever you have to do to ensure you get those |
| actually being seen, heard, and smelled. | | | | twenty minutes all to yourself. Lie down, take a |
| So what? | | | | few slow, deep breaths, and then let your breathing |
| So, as anyone who has had any hand to hand | | | | become shallower naturally. Take any contrary or |
| combat training knows, repetition is the key to | | | | distracting thoughts that crop up, ponder them for a |
| developing muscle memory. But the body doesn't | | | | moment, and then let them go. |
| know the difference between what is seen and | | | | Imagine yourself having already succeeded at your |
| what is visualized, so visualization builds muscle | | | | goal. Imagine the feeling of elation and |
| memory. That means that visualization is on par | | | | accomplishment that you will have when you |
| with actual practice for building effective techniques. | | | | succeed, and let yourself feel it as though you |
| But that's not even the most amazing part of this | | | | already have. Feeling successful is the single most |
| revelation. | | | | important part of the exercise. Then, ask yourself |
| Ask any major athlete about the power of | | | | how you did it, and pay attention to whatever |
| visualization, and you will here several anecdotes | | | | images and ideas follow. |
| about how visualizing success creates success in | | | | This technique can be used to 'practice' anything |
| action. It's true, too -- major scientific studies have | | | | from breaking boards to actual combat self |
| been done to prove it. No one can tell you why, | | | | defense. It's a fallacy to say that it can be used to |
| but the simple fact is that if you can see yourself | | | | replace actual hand-to-hand combat training, but it |
| succeeding clearly in your mind, your ability to | | | | can go a long way toward making it much more |
| succeed improves. | | | | effective. |
| Interestingly, this seems to apply even more to | | | | |