MINDFULNESS IN SPORTS
Mental preparation is as important as tactical, technical and physical preparation for sports performance. In fact, studies show that as the level of competition increases, mental skill becomes more effective with a larger percentage .
Mindfulness is an important tool that helps with this part. While the athlete has mastered managing his body, it also allows her/him to work on the emotions, thoughts, attention and reactions. Through mindfulness, one can learn to recognize and manage anxious thoughts, difficult emotions and stress. In this way, there is an increase in motivation, concentration and self-confidence. Thanks to the strengthening of the emotional flexibility and resilience of the athlete, the decisions and actions he takes also contribute to his performance in a positive way. This situation also supports the formation of a collective consciousness if a team game is played. In this way, you get the chance to enter the optimum performance called the 'Flow' state that all athletes desire.
You are invited to the 'Mindfulness Program in Sports' if you want as an athlete:
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to reduce your anxiety about winning in training or competition,
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to increase your concentration and focus capacity,
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to enter the flow of the game again quickly even if you make a mistake,
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to manage the stress caused by the sport you love so much,
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to master dealing with situations by being aware of your own inner voices and external factors,
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to raise your self-confidence,
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to contribute to your mental performance
This program is created by utilizing scientifically proven MSPE (Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement), MMTS (Mindfulness Meditation Training in Sports) and MCP (Mindfulness and Compassion) Programs .
It can be offered in two different versions both for Adult and Teenage Athletes. The youth version also offers resources from the .b Program, which is scientifically based and also found in UK school curricula.
The program lasts for 8 weeks; 16 hours in total in the adult format, and 8 hours in the youth format. It can be presented in both face-to-face and online format. During the sessions that are held every week, theoretical and practical parts are experienced together within the scope of the determined theme. Mindfulness exercises and meditation practices are done. The participants are given audio recordings for their practice together with the handbook, and they are expected to do the daily practices until the next meeting.
Subject headings:
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The Power of Mindfulness
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Training the Attention Muscle
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Performance 'Dukkha'
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Mindfulness in Action
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Embracing What It Is
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Heartfulness
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Being Comfortable With Uncomfortable
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The End of the Beginning
A 15-minute interview is held with the participants before the program.
Mindfulness is seen as an ideal and effective method in sports and is practiced in many different sports branches all over the world.
NBA Legendary coach in the 1990s Phil Jackson gave priority to mindfulness exercises and practices in basketball teams Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Many basketball players such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Love incorporated mindfulness into their lives.
Famous tennis player Novak Djokovic also underlines that daily mindfulness exercises are as important as physical and court exercises, and conveys the effect of mindfulness on performance.
In the football community German national football team works with a yoga and meditation instructor since 2004, Chelsea and AC Milan football clubs use “meditation rooms”(mind room), where players can exercise to reach meditative awareness and increase emotional endurance.
World famous rugby player Johnny Wilkinson also uses mindfulness at key moments when the pressure is high and he needs to calm down.