« Fitness trend versus fitness fad - an important distinction | Main | “This baby will never be born” or so it feels »

Kickboxing with a mind body edge

By Christina | November 10, 2007

Kickboxing is often looked at as a great way to workout the physical body. It incorporates every muscle from the legs to the core and each arm. It works the brain because there is a lot of thinking going on when you are throwing a jab, cross, hook, uppercut, side kick, squat all to a 32 count.  Can we add the element of the mind body as well to it?  I used to think the answer was no but I have found that you can include centering and being present if you just set the tone in advance.The key is to start the workout with very basic movements that allow your class to listen to what you are saying versus focus on what their bodies are doing. 

Set the mood - Place them in a frame of mind. For example, tell them - today I want to you to really focus on letting go of any frustration or anger you are holding in, think about this hour as your time, no other thoughts are allowed in, be all you can be, go for it.. use whatever you are trying to create!

Set the expectation - Today we are working mainly on kicks and jabs. Really focus on what your legs are doing when we throw the kicks. Notice the subtle differences in the roundhouses, crescent kicks, side and front kicks.  Be here in this moment with all we do.  No looking out the window or at your classmates, there is no one else here today but you and me.

Show options to keep your class from getting frustrated and thus distracted - If you are going to do a roundhouse show different height options.  If you are doing a long sequence which requires speed and agility, show a slower modified version that will make each person feel as though they are doing as well as anyone else instead of like they cannot keep up.

Moves that are good for mind body connection -

You get the idea, easy, no thinking moves allow you to cue your class as to what’s coming and let them slip into that magical alpha state where the mind is free to fly. Have fun and tell me how it goes!

Â

Topics: General, Kickboxing |

One Response

  1. al Says:
    November 12th, 2007 at 1:56 am

    Good Article!!

Leave a Comment

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.