Meditation and Fighting – what the martial artist needs to know about coping with stress!
The primordial human reaction to the threat of violence is the onset of the fight or flight response. When faced with impending physical violence the body’s “central governor” has to decide, do I stay and fight or do I run. Coping with stress in this type of combat scenario is an important quality for any martial artist.
To do either effectively the human body needs to prepare itself and to do that it releases the hormones adrenaline and Noradrenalin. These natural substances stimulate the body raising the heart rate so that blood can pump faster to the areas likely to need a rich supply like the legs for running or the shoulders and arms for climbing. The airways open as the need for oxygen becomes a necessity, breathing become shallow and rapid. Vision, hearing in fact all senses become heightened as the brain considers its options.
The martial artist must acknowledge this natural process and recognise the impact it has on his or her ability to respond. Blocks, locks and counters can all lose their efficiency. The violence to which I refer is the type found on a street corner not that in “full contact” competitions or mixed martial arts arenas. Fear mixed with shock and surprise rather than fear and excitement!
As the brain moves more towards caveman responses, emotions start gaining the upper hand. When really pushed the martial artist like the majority of people finds coping with stress incredibly difficult as he or she needs to resist the body’s’ instinctive responses. Under pressure people emotionally crumble, surrender and tears are common!
Of course some people reading this would say no, not me and actually believe themselves! But real fear, particularly in young men, creates a bravado response or an arrogant sense of invincibility which, in turn, creates the same end result. Inefficient techniques, poor decision making and ultimately defeat.
Bruce Lee nailed it when he said “control your emotions or your emotions will control you.” This means keeping your head, staying cognitive (like in assertiveness training) and accepting defeat as a possibility but not a desired one.
If not required the stress related hormones stay in the body causing long term damage. Their corrosive qualities contribute towards heart problems and even cancer so coping with stress is vital.
Regular exercise is great for reducing these hormone levels in the body. Nurturing a positive mental attitude will help, focussing on positives not dwelling on negatives will have a positive effect on the psyche and consequently lift the sense of well being.
Meditation a Must!
Physical preparation means hours of training until techniques become spontaneous and second nature. But repetition and technical knowledge will not work if your head is wrong!
Emotional preparation requires an inherent calmness and instinctive alertness not always naturally evident in martial artists.
There are many types of meditation all have the same basic approach, training the mind so that everyday thoughts are processed more efficiently leading to increased space for the mind to just “be.”
The profound the value of just “being” is acknowledged in the name of our species, we are human beings not human doings!
Meditation calms brain activity and creates a much greater relaxed body condition.
By discouraging excessive emotional activity the fighter clears their head allowing for better decision making and sharper reactions. Energy can move around the body quicker and be expressed with greater power if the body is free of acute tension.
Meditation can improve concentration as it reduces unnecessary thoughts leaving space for what really matters which, in a fight. is usually an incoming kick or punch!!!!
Away from direct combat the reduction in corrosive, surplus hormones caused by regular meditation leads to a healthier body and mind.
