The Flow

Quote of the Day -
'The winds of grace are always blowing,
but to catch them we have to raise our sails'

Sri Ramakrishna - Indian Mystic

This quote is powerful in what it is saying and can be interpreted in many ways. The classical interpretation of this quote is that God (or nature, the universal energy, the tao etc) is always there to assist us, we just have to be aware of it and open ourselves to it.

It can also be interpreted as the feeling of the flow state. The flow state is that magical state where time seems to stop and everything is perfect. We often see this state in sporting events as athletes get into 'the zone' and perform incredible feats. This is the stage that I think we all look for in our training and sporting goals. This state, as the quote says is not a random thing but a state that can and should be cultivated. If this state is cultivated, it can be more easily accessed time and time again leading to better performance.

One method of accessing this flow state is visualization. This method has been highly researched and is incredibly powerful. It has been found that by just visualizing a movement it fires the same motor circuits in the body used by the muscles! Many experiments have been done where the subjects have been able to increase their strength by up to 20% by just visualizing the movement! Visualization helps refine motor programs to the state from which they become automatic allowing you to fully concentrate on the task at hand.

To put this into practice in your rest periods at the gym visualize the next set. Look at every detail and try to include that in your vision. Try to involve your other senses such as how the set feels, what sounds, what smells are involved. Before a sporting game visualize how you would like to perform. Anticipate every opportunity or outcome and prepare strategies for it. By doing this you will be preparing for the game not only mentally but preparing your physiological, neuronal and hormonal systems.

Good luck and reach your potential

Paul