Once you have squelched your ego at the door, the journey begins as all do with the mind.
Focus (mind control)
Easy to say but what exactly is it & how do you do it? In order to learn and assimilate knowledge the mind must be focused without any outside (or inside) chatter. Much can be said about the ability to focus under pressure but what about focusing in when there is no pressure? For if you are unable to control your mind in everyday circumstances, how will you be able to focus in a live combat situation? If you can not control the mind while learning how can you improve?
This concept of ‘mental focus’ is often overlooked but always a part of the make up of a successful mixed martial artist. When learning it is best to clear the mind so their is no ‘self-talk’, either positive or negative that will interfere with the process. When the mind is clear through breathing or centering exercises you can now focus on the techniques, movements, drills… being taught. The more senses involved the better: with your eyes to see it, with your ears to listen and with your touch to feel… see the technique, listen to instructions, feel the correct way to do the technique then do it over and over again. Embed the movement in your mind and body, physically with an opponent, alone with ‘shadow’ movements and mentally with visualization exercises.
When completely focused your senses are on high alert and your mind becomes a black box refusing to let anything from the outside in except what you have deemed worthy. Remember that just like the body, the mind must be exercised and trained through breathing, meditation, visualization and other forms. While most MMA students in the West are generally in great physical condition most lack this one vital element of mental mastery. This often leaves the searcher confused, agitated and off balance.
Balance
When learning MMA their are many skill sets to master from punching and kicking to takedowns and submissions, MMA encompasses many martial art forms. For those just starting out the task seems daunting but always remember that there are certain principals that apply no matter what the art form. One basic component of any combat art form is balance for without it you will be like piece of wood adrift on a raging sea.
Balance is important from the start as your body must always be in an general state of physical condition this begins with diet and general exercise. The same is true for those as well, your diet should be balanced between the 4 basic food groups as your physical strength and conditioning training should be a balance of aerobic, anaerobic, body weight, progressive resistance… remember that your training should be geared towards performance; therefore, depending on where you are on your journey a balance must be found between technical training vs hard sparring, standing vs ground, mental vs physical, strength vs conditioning… and do not forget training vs recovery.
As for physical balance, efficiency of movement is increased by perfect balance as is power, speed and technique. Always perfecting your technical form will help to develop each of them as well. Speaking of physical balance, one of your first MMA lessons most certainly will be about ‘stance’ when standing or ‘posture’ when on the ground and how to move while remaining in these positions. These lessons are often the most important and the most overlooked. Remember when learning new moves or techniques to take great care in understanding where the correct balance points are for you and for your opponent.
Another often overlooked factor when first learning MMA is that there are ‘outside factors’ that can help or harm you, when dealing with balance one major ‘outside factor’ is gravity. Another is your opponent. Balance in combat is a dance between you, your opponent and gravity. Learning to use or coalesce with these factors will give you a deeper understanding of balance.
In closing here are a few axioms to remember:
* Put the “be” into becoming by starting at the beginning
* If your goal is to learn: stop the self talk, get out of your own way and focus on the instructor
* Exercise balance in all areas
* Learn to develop that “sixth sense” – there’s a reason it’s called “a sense of balance”.
And remember, especially those just setting out, “The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”
