How the state of ‘relaxed concentration’ can help you perform fluid, effortless motion…
Here’s the third of 13 principles I’ve identified through many years of research and intensive work with students, to be critical in enabling you to produce movement that is fluid and effortless, even when you’re under pressure.
No. 3 – A state of ‘relaxed concentration’ allows the mind to set the intention for the movement you want to perform and to which the body can then respond.
So what is this state of relaxed concentration and how do you access it?
If you are a follower of my work it will come as no surprise to you that the meditative state activated when the awareness follows the breathing in meditation, is indeed this same state of relaxed concentration that allows for the seamless performance of complex movement in all sports and the performing arts like dance and music.
Why is this so? Because it brings your mind and body together!
When you’re too much in your mind, either with a dozen technical thoughts or even when trying to re-frame negative thoughts into positive ones, your movement doesn’t flow in the way it can when you get out of your own way.
The mainstream approach suggests that you think about the movement you want to perform but this simply activates the analytical part of the mind and interrupts the signal to the motor system throwing off your rhythm and tempo.
When you think about the way you’re thinking (another mainstream approach) the same problems arise as you well know if you’ve ever given a less than satisfactory performance due to nerves, anxiety or mental interference.
The state of relaxed concentration which can be brought about by breathing deeply and slowly actually helps to bring your mind and body together, getting your mental game and your technique in sync as it bypasses the analytical mind, reduces anxiety in the nervous system, quietens the internal dialogue and helps to produce fluid movement.
So what’s the catch? You guessed it – it works better when you practice!
All we’re talking about is 15 minutes meditation per day; this is the amount of time that research shows produces real life tangible results. For you, this will show up in the increased ability to let your body move with freedom and relaxed power to produce a winning performance even when you’re on stage, competing against others or in any kind of high-pressure situation.
A key way to use your breathing is as follows.
Whenever you feel anxious the body will send you direct signals that you’re not ready to perform.
These signals manifest as a racing heart, shaking legs, a dry mouth, sweaty palms etc. all clues that your adrenaline is pumping and has switched your biochemistry into the stress mode.
The learning from this is that you shouldn’t even attempt your routine until the nervous system has been brought back into the relaxation response by using the breath. You can regain your composure by breathing deeply and slowly, expanding the diaphragm which in turn lowers the heart rate, allows more oxygen to reach and enliven the brain, brings pliability back to the muscles, releases endorphins and allows your body to flow freely.
Only then should you start to move.
