Correct technique, proper form, right posture, full extensions.
It can be daunting when you are just stating a new form of
exercise, sport, martial art, dance or any kind of routine that
involve movements that feel strange and unfamiliar. Sometimes
these unfamiliar elements can be confusing or frustrating to
master. That can cause the unique obstacle of doubt. When your
trying something new and your unsure whether you are doing it
right. You might feel a little foolish and like an incompetent
amateur. The feeling of incompetence and embarrassment can be
enough to rob you of all confidence and render you unmotivated
and unwilling to continue.
Have you ever been confronted by a sense that you weren't sure
what you were doing in any area of life and as a result decided
that you could not proceed with whatever it is you were focusing
on, usually with the idea and intention to return to it later?
Have you had that experience with an exercise routine?
Did you return to it?
I'm willing to guess that the thought of that activity's doubt
only served you to put it off some more. That is, until you
sought clarity.
Nothing can be more defeating than staring a routine only to stop
at the beginning, half way or just not have the quality or the
enjoyment because you keep second guessing your every move
throughout the session.
The best way to deal with doubt during exercise is to face it and
engage it in the moment.
I will suggest something you might not of thought of before.
What if doubt can serve you as a teacher? Or in this case, a
trainer?
What if doubt could serve you as a growth tool rather than a
barrier?
What if you could use doubt as something that's on your way
instead of something in your way of getting or staying in shape?
Well... Good news. Here are 7 ways to harness doubt in the
learning process of new skills, techniques and exercises.
1.Simplify the technique:
Simplify, break down and regress the movement you are trying to
master. When you take on something that feels strange and new for
the body to execute, its advisable to break down and isolate each
component until you get a feel for the movement. Once you drill
the basics and you build familiarity, then you can piece more
together, get a rhythm and advance in that skill.
2.Pace of movement:
It can also be helpful to slow down the pace of movement. If you
understand the technique but you find yourself fumbling it,
messing up the sequence or coordination, then slowing down to a
pace where you can examine the technique and how you execute it
can really serve to improve the feel of the movement and refine
both your mental understanding and your kinesthetic understanding
as you dial in those motor functions. Once you have a sense of
the movement from a slower pace, then you will see, you start
getting into an enjoyable rhythm of the exercise or skill.
3.Intention of execution:
Another strong approach to getting clarity of a new physical
skill when your form still feels vague and uncertain, is by
asking yourself one useful question.
"what is the purpose and function of that movement?"
Once you get clear on that idea and start embodying that, it can
lead you to a more tangible, easy to comprehend feel of the
maneuver. Focus on the move's intended purpose and concentrate on
making your body fulfill that purpose with the most direct and
effective execution possible. Whatever cues you need to be aware
of to refine your movement, use that movement's intention as a
guide to those cues, visualize it, feel it and embody it. You
will find that focusing on the skill's intended purpose will
clarify a lot.
4.repetition:
Good old repetition. This may sound boring but is, and always
will be the weapon of choice. I know, this may be tough if every
move you make has you feeling like you just don't know what the
hell you are doing. However, if you use repetition with the other
tips I'm listing, then by remembering and staying focused on the
technique cues you have learned and observed, you'll have no
problem. The trick is to concentrate on what you do know and
focus on refining it through repetition. Through repetition, you
face the parts that causes uncertainty over and over, and as you
do it causes you to do tip no.5.
5.Question:
This is probably the form that doubt can serve you the best.
Doubt is good at making you question things. Use it. If
uncertainty comes up, question it, allow what you are unsure of
to guide your growth and development. Turn doubt into curiousity.
From curiousity you tend to ask more inspired questions and that
process, I guarantee you, will lead your learning and
understanding to better and better grasp of the technique and
maybe even other skills.
6.Resources:
You don't have to figure it all out on your own either. Whatever
you are trying to master, someone else has already done so. So,
look it up, videos on youtube, books, magazines, ask a coach,
trainer, teacher or fellow exercisers that know the technique and
observe it, hear about it or read it over and over. nothing like
getting fresh insight to help you get clearer and with a renewed
sense of optimism in executing the skill.
7.Embrace doubt:
And lastly, as you can see, doubt can serve as a trainer, so when
that uncertain feeling arises, don't feign from it, accept its
presence, treat it like you would an actual trainer, instructor
or coach. With respect and appreciation,and as a teacher of the
lessons you need in order to master the skills and techniques you
desire.
Its OK to feel incompetent and like a complete amateur at first.
In fact its a necessary part of the process.
So, remember, Every time you feel a sense of doubt, its an
opportunity to learn something new, clarify something and grow.
And have fun with it.
Inspired by fitness,
Clinton Boucheix
No comments:
Post a Comment