Training of the mind is obviously a prerequisite for the practice of karate thus, by bringing the mind, body and spirit to a state of perfection enables the karate-ka to not only be able to control his movements of hands and feet but also his breathing as well.
The mind is the power and driving force behind focus it acts as the anchor point from which everything else originates.
You see, if used correctly what you put on your memory disk inside your brain can be used to improve yourself and your karate techniques.
Most karate-ka of course, will be familiar with what I am saying because they probably use the technique every time they perform a kata, shadow spar or kneeling or sitting at the end of each training session reflecting in their mind what they have just been taught.
The good news, is the technique of visualisation can be used as often as you like and if you have not already tried it I recommend you give it a go, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
Let me explain further, it’s true, when you experience something new for the first time our mind acts like a computer disk it records and searches our memory bank to find an experience that is the same or similar.
If there is nothing on the disk we cannot extract anything from it can we? In other words there is nothing for our sub-conscious mind to refer too.
If you do something like try out a new technique even if you do it incorrectly it will be recorded on your memory disk and if you repeat the said same mistake over and over again then be it on the street or in the dojo your sub-conscious mind will find it hard to reverse or erase that memory which means you will reproduce that same mistake which in some cases could prove fatal.
In order to change the sub-conscious mind has to be re-programmed.
The problem is though, if you cannot visualise in your minds eye yourself doing the technique correctly and imprint it on your memory disk and if you keep on saying to yourself I’ll never get this right or I can’t do that type of technique in a street fight then I’m afraid you probably never will be able to make it work in reality.
It helps to programme the mind and acts as the central computer for your memory disk to plug into to and record the new improved technique in place of the bad one.
Sounds simple doesn’t it? The good thing about using visualisation to improve techniques is that you can practice alone inside your own mind and not in a training dojo environment.
Improves your self-image and helps to motivate yourself to achieving your chosen goal.
For visualisation training allow yourself around 20 to 30 minutes, somewhere warm and where you won’t be disturbed.
Now see yourself in your mind’s eye just like a mirror image, this may seem a little strange at first, but once you can see yourself then you can begin to visualise and programme your mind.
Just use your imagination and see yourself defeating an attacker, performing the perfect kata or what ever you want to imagine, it doesn’t matter, simply see the details as clearly as you can.
You can also use the same technique to improve your timing or speed, slowly seeing yourself performing the strikes faster and more accurately, just see it all in your minds eye.
Okay now you’ve got this far remember, it is only one of many training techniques you can add to your karate toolbox.
Of course, the end result is seeing yourself in your mind’s eye performing and doing what you want to do.
Now open your eyes get up slowly and look forward to your next training session, by using visualisation to set yourself a goal you have made that goal achievable that’s slightly out of reach for now.
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