Daily Meditation Can Elevate Performance

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say that practicing even small doses of daily meditation may improve focus and performance.  Meditation, according to Penn neuroscientist Amishi Jha and Michael Baime, director of Penn’s Stress Management Program, is an active and effortful process that literally changes the way the brain works. Their study is the first to examine how meditation may modify the three subcomponents of attention, including the ability to prioritize and manage tasks and goals, the ability to voluntarily focus on specific information and the ability to stay alert to the environment.

In the Penn study, subjects were split into two categories. Those new to meditation, or “mindfulness training,” took part in an eight-week course that included up to 30 minutes of daily meditation. The second group was more experienced with meditation and attended an intensive full-time, one-month retreat.

Researchers found that even for those new to the practice, meditation enhanced performance and the ability to focus attention. Performance-based measures of cognitive function demonstrated improvements in a matter of weeks. The study, published in the journal “Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience”, suggests a new, non-medical means for improving focus and cognitive ability among disparate populations and has implications for workplace performance and learning.

Participants performed tasks at a computer that measured response speeds and accuracy. At the outset, retreat participants who were experienced in meditation demonstrated better executive functioning skills, the cognitive ability to voluntarily focus, manage tasks and prioritize goals. Upon completion of the eight-week training, participants new to meditation had greater improvement in their ability to quickly and accurately move and focus attention, a process known as “orienting.” After the one-month intensive retreat, participants also improved their ability to keep attention “at the ready”.

The results suggest that meditation, even as little as 30 minutes daily, may improve attention and focus for those with heavy demands on their time. While practicing meditation is relaxing and restful, it also enhances attention-performance improvements. - Penn neuroscientist Amishi Jha and Michael Baime

The Relaxed Champion practices daily meditation and focus.  One of the keys to creating a greater sense of relaxation, confidence, and focus is learning the art of RELAXATION through meditation and letting go!

• Mind and body function most effectively when you are in a state of relaxation.  Muscles respond with the correct movements, learning is faster, and better decisions can be made.
• Advance performance in any activity require a sense of full relaxation!
• When you are relaxed, your mind and body create a flow which will naturally elevate performance

"The Power of Relaxation will change your life no matter who you are...or what you are doing!" N.Minwalla, B.A., M.Phil.(Oxon)

Relaxation and INACTION is the starting point for success. What if I told you that INACTION may be the secret you are missing? Through INACTION you can relax your body, master your mind and expand your creative genius!

By following this secret, Edison used to relax on a rocking chair and enhance his imagination and creativity. Leonardo da Vinci, Plato, and many others, learned to use relaxation to harness the power of their minds. But, let me be very clear, I'm not talking about slothful inaction; I’m talking about focused relaxation.

Relaxation of Mind and Body are essential not only to great golf but for everyday living.  In fact, I believe that is where all performance success begins!

Mediation plus relaxation gives you a technique to contemplate yourself as surrounded by the conditions, which you want to produce.  In meditation, you can construct a clear picture in your mind of what you want and who you would like to be.  Hold and contemplate that picture CONSTANTLY, for you will soon BECOME exactly as you have been envisioning. 

By definition, meditation is the concentration of the mind on one thing, in order to aid mind, physical, and/or spiritual development, contemplation, and relaxation.

Three areas that reap the benefits of daily meditation: Physical, Spiritual Benefit, Mental (Emotionial) Benefits

Physiological benefits:
Improvement of body luster and general health - When your mind focuses on a particular part of the body, the blood flow to that part increases and cells receive more oxygen and other nutrients in abundance. Today, many of the film stars and fashion models include meditation in their daily regimen.

1. Increases exercise tolerance
2. Leads to a deeper level of physical relaxation
3. Decreases muscle tension
4. Enhances the immune system
5. Reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress
6. Enhances energy, strength and vigor
7. More inclined to sports, activities
8. Improved performance in athletic events
9. Relaxes our nervous system
10. Heal faster from injury

Spiritual Benefits:

1. Provides peace of mind, happiness - Helps keep things in perspective
2. Helps you discover your purpose - Attain enlightenment
3. Deeper understanding of yourself and others
4. Brings synchronization of body, mind, spirit in harmony
5. Deeper Level of spiritual relaxation
6. Increased acceptance of oneself - Helps learn forgiveness
7. Changes attitude
   
8. Creates a deeper relationship with your Infinite Self
9. Helps living in the present moment
10. Discovery of the power and consciousness beyond the ego

Mind Benefits:
Improvements in concentration - Some athletes and sports professionals regularly employ meditation methods. Studies have found a direct correlation between concentration exercises (meditation) and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind; it comes under control and is able to provide guidance to the physical body to effectively execute all its projects. Meditation Exercises (associated with Visualization & Imagery practices) can be a powerful way of improving concentration and improving cognitive strength.

1. Builds greater self-confidence.
2. Increases serotonin level, influences mood and behavior
3. Grows a stable, more balanced personality
4. Resolve fears and failures
5. Helps control own thoughts
6. Increased focus, concentration & creativity
7. Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
8. Increased emotional stability and Develops emotional maturity
9. Able to see the larger picture in a given situation
10. Act quickly and more effectively to a stressful event

In sports, daily practiced meditation causes heightened attentiveness affects performance. The better you focus, the better your performance. With systematic training in meditation focusing skills, athletes can learn to consistently access performance state. Our powerful coaching meditation system is individually tailored to incorporate each athlete's personal goals, own words, own music and unique intentions.  We can record professional personalized meditation uniquely for each individual athlete.

Contact KaizenGOLF for your sports cognitive assessment and see what cutting-edge sports cognitive coaching can do for you.