Mindfulness

Mindfulness

For most of us, life is not easy. We are subjected to many trials and tribulations, some self-inflicted, others from external sources, like work, family, friends, and in extreme cases enemies. It’s all to easy to freak out, and let things get on top of you, especially when you have nowhere to turn for help, and you realise that right then and there, you are on your own.

What can you do, when freaking out is not an option?

Be mindful, and I don’t mean it in some weird spiritual self-meditation (not saying meditation is not helpful, it’s actually awesome) kind of way, but a practical in the moment everyday use kind of way.

Mindfulness is being aware of how you feel in that moment in time, while putting in perspective what’s really important.

For example, you’re driving on the motor way and some douche bag (someone who has had a temporary lapse in judgement) cuts you up (pulls into your lane without indicating), causing you to slam on the anchors (breaks) to avoid an accident. Nine times out of ten this is more than enough reason to loose your rag (become extremely angry). Maybe you start to drive erratically, maybe you have an accident, maybe the police pull you over, or maybe nothing happens at all other than it putting you in really bad mood all day.

Now here’s where being Mindful can help you out.

As soon as you begin to feel angry, ask yourself;- ‘what am I feeling right now?’ could be anger, frustration, powerlessness, anything negative. Then ask yourself ‘how does my body feel now?’ could be hot, cold, full adrenalin (For more on adrenalin you can read my previous article on the www.familymartialarts.co.uk blog page), the steering wheel in your hands, and the seatbelt across your chest. Then think, ‘what’s really important to me?’ Family, friends, your health, your job, your home, all the big priorities in your life. Then ask yourself ‘What do I love doing?’, being with family, eating pizza, training martial arts, playing Pokémon go, or watching game of thrones. Whatever it is, think about it and plan when you’re going to do it next. You deserve it, you nearly had a car accident.

I know it’s a lot to think about while you’re driving around, but ultimately that’s the point. You recognise what you’re feeling at the time both mentally and physically, this takes your mind set away from being angry.You notice what’s really important to you, putting life into perspective. Finally you find something to look forward to, after all that thought, the moment has passed, and you no longer want to be angry because you know you got better things to do with your life, than be moody about some douche cutting you up.

After applying Mindfulness to my everyday life, I began to realise that I had been practicing a form of mindfulness for years in my martial arts training.

Martial arts train you to be aware of your limitations and surroundings, given time you begin to learn your opponent’s strengths and weakness within moments of seeing them move. Now they might have some tricks up their sleeve, or they are faster or stronger than you expected, but unless they are Mr fantastic or Elastigirl their limbs are not going to get any longer, this gives you perspective on what range you can use. You can see how they carry themselves, if they have a slight injury you can exploit, maybe they are overweight indicating that they might be a little unfit (never assume). On the street you take into consideration what’s near them, is there anything in the environment you or they can use to get the upper hand. What clothes they are wearing if it’s thick maybe you can use it for grip on a choke or a throw, are there pockets that they might have concealed a weapon in. How long their hair is, could you grab it, or that it could get in their eyes.

Now you don’t need to have studied martial arts for years to apply this type of mindfulness to combat situations.

Knowing that this is not an ideal world you might not get the chance to think about all of this at once, but if thinking about anything practically before or during a fight, engaging your rational objective mind, is surely better than the alternative, being in an emotional panic.

Mindfulness, the gift that keeps on giving.

By Louis Tandoh,

Chief Instructor, Family Martial Arts Black Belt Schools – Gravesend

www.familymartialarts.co.uk