Martial Arts Meditation

Martial Arts and Meditation

At Northstar Ju Jitsu we talk about total fitness. Well what we mean by this is fitness of the body, mind and spirit. Just as we exercise our body, we also need to exercise and tighten our mind, take control of the constant chatter, keep our mind focused on where we want to be. One of my teachers likened the mind to the sky. On a clear day you can see forever, but the clouds come in and block the view to the universe, but the universe is always there, the clouds just get in the way. Our mind tends to become clogged with thought as in the clouds, quite often negative thought, that tends to take us away from our purpose, then it becomes very easy to justify anything. Read on how meditation helps.

 Practice this simple meditation

Practicing a simple meditation is really great for quieting the constant chatter and relaxation. The simple meditation that we use in class is called awareness of breath. Sit comfortably either in a chair, or cross legged on the floor, make sure to keep the back straight.

Become aware of your breathing

Now gently close your eyes and become aware of your breathing, in and out of the nose. One breath in and out is to the count of one, so count your breath to 5. When you reach 5, start from one again. Focus on the breath and nothing else. By focusing and counting the breath you are trying to take the attention away from the constant chatter and give your mind a bit of a break. As those thoughts come into your head, don’t become attached to them, just  let them go, keep counting the breath. If you lose count, or end up at 12 or 15, thats okay, just start from 1 again.

It’s natural to go off with a thought

Remember, it’s natural to go off with a thought, it’s like training the body, this does take practise. Don’t get upset, just refocus on the breath. Just try a few minutes at a time and slowly build it up. It is an enjoyable practise, not supposed to be uncomfortable in any way. I have been practising this simple exercise for many years, and it has really helped me to keep my mind tight and focused, and to achieve many things that I never would of dreamed of.

 Spiritual Fitness

Spiritual Fitness is something which is more personal to each individual. We all have our own beliefs that seem correct for us. With in Northstar Ju Jitsu it is important to mention that there are no religious teachings or doctrines, each student is free to pursue their own path as they see fit.

Andy Dickinson