Friday, February 4, 2011
Monday, August 24, 2009
Focus on Focus in your Training
Fitness Newsletter from Lawrence Carroll
August 24,2009
Where is your attention when you’re working out?
In this blog, I wanted to “focus” on focus!
During your workouts is your mind wandering all over the place while your body goes through the motions of exercise? A focused workout will benefit you much more than one where you’re distracted.
Here’s a quick test to demonstrate what I’m describing. This test was designed by one of my mentors, Shawn Phillips, in his groundbreaking book "Strength for Life". It perfectly illustrates the power of how focus can radically change your training and dramatically improve results, even in one session. Try it now as you read.
Take your right arm and extend it out, with your palm open. Now close your palm, as if you are grabbing a dumbbell. Now curl the arm as if you are performing a biceps curl.
Easy, right? Unfortunately, this is how most of us work out all too often, thus missing the optimal benefits we could be getting from our workouts.
Now do it again. This time, as you begin to curl your arm, squeeze your biceps and touch your left index finger to the center of the right biceps. Then picture a red hot marble just under the point of contact and focus your eyes on the same spot. As you contract the biceps slowly, continue to deepen your concentration on this single spot of your muscle. Keep breathing. When you reach the peak of a full contraction, hold it. Hold it for 10 seconds deepening your focus and intensity. Then release.
Did you feel the difference? Can you see how much more you got out of the same exercise? Wasn’t it completely different? This IS the power of focus.
So, what are some of the ways we can deepen our focus during training? How can you and I make a workout more conscious and powerful so we can optimize the benefits from our training?
A strong body is built more efficiently from focusing your mind during training. Practice focusing your mind and it will become stronger.The mind-body connection is not some mystical superstition but is, in fact, a highly documented scientific and medical phenomenon. Many studies show a strong correlation between the mind and body. A strong mind can create a powerful ability to focus. It’s similar to the way a magnifying glass can intensify and focus sunlight to reach burning hot temperatures. Focus can be cultivated through the practice of meditation. Studies of people who meditate regularly show such things as:
Practice makes permanent, so cultivate right practice techniques.
Enjoy your change. Please write to me if you have any questions or inspiring stories.
Be strong, stay strong,stay focused!
Lawrence Carroll
(413)212 2030
laurie.teacher.coach@gmail
Life Coaching http://www.core-strength.n
On line fitness coaching: http://www.teambeachbody.c
Meditation: http://www.centerpointe.co
August 24,2009
Where is your attention when you’re working out?
In this blog, I wanted to “focus” on focus!
During your workouts is your mind wandering all over the place while your body goes through the motions of exercise? A focused workout will benefit you much more than one where you’re distracted.
Here’s a quick test to demonstrate what I’m describing. This test was designed by one of my mentors, Shawn Phillips, in his groundbreaking book "Strength for Life". It perfectly illustrates the power of how focus can radically change your training and dramatically improve results, even in one session. Try it now as you read.
Take your right arm and extend it out, with your palm open. Now close your palm, as if you are grabbing a dumbbell. Now curl the arm as if you are performing a biceps curl.
Easy, right? Unfortunately, this is how most of us work out all too often, thus missing the optimal benefits we could be getting from our workouts.
Now do it again. This time, as you begin to curl your arm, squeeze your biceps and touch your left index finger to the center of the right biceps. Then picture a red hot marble just under the point of contact and focus your eyes on the same spot. As you contract the biceps slowly, continue to deepen your concentration on this single spot of your muscle. Keep breathing. When you reach the peak of a full contraction, hold it. Hold it for 10 seconds deepening your focus and intensity. Then release.
Did you feel the difference? Can you see how much more you got out of the same exercise? Wasn’t it completely different? This IS the power of focus.
So, what are some of the ways we can deepen our focus during training? How can you and I make a workout more conscious and powerful so we can optimize the benefits from our training?
A strong body is built more efficiently from focusing your mind during training. Practice focusing your mind and it will become stronger.The mind-body connection is not some mystical superstition but is, in fact, a highly documented scientific and medical phenomenon. Many studies show a strong correlation between the mind and body. A strong mind can create a powerful ability to focus. It’s similar to the way a magnifying glass can intensify and focus sunlight to reach burning hot temperatures. Focus can be cultivated through the practice of meditation. Studies of people who meditate regularly show such things as:
- increased growth of brain cells;
- altered brain wave states;
- increased intelligence,
- productivity and comprehension;
- decreased anxiety,
- stress and depression;
- reduced free radicals;
- lower heart rate and blood pressure;
- reduced biological aging;
- better and deeper sleep patterns;
- improved mental focus, memory, recall
- more effective decision making.
Practice makes permanent, so cultivate right practice techniques.
Enjoy your change. Please write to me if you have any questions or inspiring stories.
Be strong, stay strong,stay focused!
Lawrence Carroll
(413)212 2030
laurie.teacher.coach@gmail
Life Coaching http://www.core-strength.n
On line fitness coaching: http://www.teambeachbody.c
Meditation: http://www.centerpointe.co
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