Are you stressed out and impatient with the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Is the fluctuation of the stock market causing you anxiety?
Most golfers say they play golf for relaxation from their hectic schedules. When you encounter a situation that frustrates you, do you have a method for controlling your mind and emotions?
Why use meditation for golf?
Meditation was taught by the Buddha thousands of years ago to quiet the voices of fear, anxiety, worry and other negative emotions in the mind. He described the inner mental noise as drunken monkeys chattering in the mind. Today we call it the negative self-talk that goes on in everyone’s mind. Golfers try to “block out” these distracting thoughts, but it’s useless to do that because whatever you resist, persists. This Zen state is the entrainment of your mind and body and spirit that produces a total state of focus.
Meditation is considered a type of mind-body-spirit alternative medicine. It is a tool used for self-help purposes. Meditation produces a deep state of body relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the “monkey mind” thoughts that may be distracting you and causing anxiety and stress.
The Mindfulness of Breathing
In this holiday season when it is sometimes difficult to find the time, set aside 5-10 minutes every day as a gift to yourself to do this simple breathing meditation for finding inner peace and balance in all aspects of your life.
Deep breathing is very useful in your pre-shot routine to put you into the relaxed state of mind-body-spirit necessary for accessing your personal best performances.
Here is an easy and simple way to focus on your deep breathing:
• Find a place that is quiet where you won’t be distracted.
• Sit in a comfortable position; either the cross-legged posture or a straight back chair.
• Concentrate only on noticing how you breathe through your diaphragm.
• Inhale deeply and then exhale as long as possible.
• Imagine how far out from you the air you exhaled goes before you inhale it again.
• If your mind wanders from this process and is following your thoughts, bring it back to focusing on your breathing.
• Continue following your breath until you are no longer distracted by your thoughts.
• You are now in the present moment where all is still and quiet.
Meditation Practices
• Guided meditation. Listen to guided imagery on the Positive Mental Imagery CDs to be guided on forming the mental images of the golf game you desire. Available now at www.pmi4.com/cart
• Mantra meditation. A mantra is a personal ritual of repeating a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts.
• Qigong. Qiqong is part of traditional Chinese medicine that combines breathing exercises, physical movement, exercise and meditation for balance of your physicality.
• Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a form of Chinese martial arts. It combines deep breathing with slow, graceful movements. It is meditation in movement and my personal favorite.
• Yoga. Yoga combines physical, mental and spiritual disciplines to attain a state of permanent peace. The series of postures and controlled breathing exercises promote a more flexible body and a calm mind.
Sitting quietly and meditating for a few minutes every day can improve your single focused concentration, your health, your patience, your sense of well-being during a game of golf, and your quality of life. Find five or ten minutes every morning and evening to improve the balance in your life and in your golf game.
Play “in the zone” with Joan
Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances
Learn to relax your mind and body by listening to Positive Mental Imagery CDs in the privacy of your own home. If you are new to meditation Progressive Relaxation of the Mind and Body and Self Hypnosis for Playing “in the zone” CDs are a good place to start. Available now at www.pmi4.com/cart
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