| Train Your Mind and the Body Will Follow | | | | 2) Eyes should remain open, but soften your |
| The mind is the master of the body. If we train | | | | vision. (Do not focus your eyes on anything |
| and discipline our minds, the body will follow. Once | | | | specific) |
| the body and mind become focused and in tune, | | | | 3) Place your hands comfortably in your lap. |
| you will see that your whole life will seem to flow; | | | | 4) Breathe deep. Pull the air all the way to the |
| like you are in the zone. In other words, you will | | | | bottom of your stomach. |
| not be fighting with yourself and good things will | | | | 5) Control the breath out. Don't let the air just |
| just seem to happen for you. We use this simple | | | | escape. |
| exercise in my martial arts school at the | | | | This is a very involved process and there are |
| Academy of Kempo Martial Arts in Bellevue | | | | many reasons it works; too many to give you in |
| before we start training. | | | | one page. Just like aspirin, you may not know the |
| Here is an easy way to start training your mind: | | | | chemical make up, but you know it gets rid of |
| First warm up your body so that you are not | | | | the headache. This exercise can get you focused, |
| tired. A few minutes of light stretches will do the | | | | distress and unite the mind and body. It works if |
| trick. Then sit very comfortably without loud | | | | you do it. Try it for 2 weeks, for 3 to 5 minutes |
| music or distractions. (Can't find a place? Try the | | | | a day. You will be calmer and more focused than |
| bathroom, you only need 5 minutes :). | | | | ever. Add some physical exercise, like martial |
| Start by placing your tongue on the roof of your | | | | arts, and you will get a one-two punch that can |
| mouth. Breathe in through your nose for a count | | | | truly change your life. |
| of 4 or so. Then breathe out through your mouth | | | | We spend way to much time on everything and |
| for a count of 6 to 8. The out breath should | | | | everyone but we seem to ignore ourselves. The |
| always be longer than the in breath. Do this five | | | | time we spend on ourselves is less than most |
| to ten times. Focus on nothing but the count. | | | | people spend brushing their teeth.... We really owe |
| Counting will give your mind something to focus | | | | it to ourselves to take a little time for just |
| on, which will help prevent the mind from | | | | ourselves. I hope you can take some time for |
| wandering or being distracted. This simple exercise | | | | yourself to recharge, because everything is a |
| will re-energize you, re-focus you, and get your | | | | continuous cycle and just as mediation breathing is |
| mind under control. | | | | a cycle, so is your positive energy and if you feel |
| A few tips to go along with this breathing | | | | good you are passing that to others and the |
| exercise: | | | | cycle continues. |
| 1) Keep your back straight. | | | | |