Single Focus Part 3

A few weeks ago I started a series on key areas you should focus on as a martial artist.

You read about Speed development and its importance in Single Focus Part 1.

Then you learned how injecting Emotional Intensity into your training guarantees results and drives you to follow through on the goals you've set in Single Focus Part 2.

This next key area of development is one that requires your full attention.

When you've acquired it, it will make everything else you do that much easier and effortless.

It is the root of power.

Have you guessed what it is?

Yes, it is none other than Flexibility.

A loose, pliable and flexible body can generate more power.

It has less chances of getting injured.

You'll learn faster. What? How can flexibility help with that?

One of the challenges most beginners have to face when starting any area of martial arts, be it standing up, on the ground or with weapons is dealing with stiffness.

By learning to relax and avoid being rigid when first learning the techniques, you'll be teaching your nervous system and muscles faster and in a more effective manner so you can integrate the techniques and start using them with more speed and power.

Learning to stretch and acquire joint mobility is also a natural stress reliever.

What you can do mentally when stretching is think of stress as being trapped in a sponge. The sponge being your muscles.

As you stretch, you feel and visualize stress being squeezed out of your body until the last drop. Continue to do this with each body part that you are stretching. I've found this method to be highly invigorating while also feeling like you've had a weight lifted off your shoulders.

When cooling down after a workout and going through some of the exercises covered in our Flexibility Series DVD, the mental clarity and calmness you feel should be something everyone gets to experience.

This key area of development needs to be part of your training routine but not any kind of stretching, learn how to stretch your whole body and double your flexibility over night by following some of the steps outlined in our Flexibility Series.

Make this one of your main focus areas and everything else will suddenly be much easier.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. The Flexibility Series is one of our best products and is one area that most people struggle with. Make stiffness, pain and lack of mobility a thing of the past when you order: Flexibility: How to become as flexible as you were as a Child"

Your Most Challenging Opponent

Do you ever think about that?

Who would be the worst opponent you would have to face?

Would it be against an unknown thug with a sinister look on his face in a dark alley?

An ex-convict just released from prison?

Or maybe Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva or Randy Couture?

The truth is, we're all fighting a relentless opponent.

An opponent that dwarfs any of today's fighters, criminals, or street gang bangers.

Do you know who it is?

STRESS.

Stress is your number one opponent.

Stress is who you should be watching out for and training to fight against.

It is all around us, every day, day and night and constantly attacking our immune system.

Stress is responsible for most illnesses and disease as well as premature aging.

Stress is on the rise and if we're not careful, IT will win the fight.

I hear you calling out: "So what am I supposed to do?"

For starters monitor how you feel throughout the day.

What is stressful for one person might not be for another.

If you love what you do for a living it doesn't feel like work therefore stress levels will be at a minimum.

What if you don't have a choice and you have to work at that job of yours that you hate? (Recent studies show that in excess of 80% of people do, no wonder stress levels are through the roof!)

If this is the case then you need to release stress with the best known solution known to man:

EXERCISE.

"But exercise IS a form of stress to our body?" you're right, but it depends: "HOW you exercise."

I've been talking about 2 great forms of safe exercises for a long time now.

Station Training and Neigong Training.

Both combined make for a perfect balance between the internal and the external.

Station Training is short and dynamic usually completed in under 15 minutes and Neigong increases blood flow to all organs, strengthens ligaments and tendons and flows your Chi through all meridians of your body for a truly rejuvenating sensation after a training session.

I urge you to check both out in the health section in the FSD Store.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Knock Out Stress

What seems to be a hot topic nowadays is Aging.

Most importantly Anti-Aging, Reverse Aging or Curing Aging which some experts say is a disease like any other which is totally unnatural. With enough research maybe one day we'll say goodbye to Aging all together.

If we are to slow down the aging process you and I need to have a handle on the stress we expose ourselves to.

Recent research from the University of California shows stress can cut off, at a bare minimum 10 years off our life span.

10 years!

Imagine all the things you can do in a year, let alone 10 years.

What I found interesting about the study was, simply being exposed to stress doesn't automatically accelerate the aging process. It depends how you react to it, how much power you give it. What kind of attitude you have towards it. That's what played at difference in the end.

Are you indifferent towards your stress and choose to place the most important priorities first like your kids, your spouse and the gratitude to be here, alive and kicking.

Or do you let it eat away at you, worry you, overwhelm you. Do you keep it bottled up inside of you?

Our first line of defense is Mental Attitude.

The second weapon you can arm yourself with is...Martial Arts.

I'm ready to bet if you walk into the MA school stressed out, you'll have a totally different feeling when you walk out.

You'll feel empty, released, but at the same time filled up with new, bright energy and a new found gusto to find a solution to your challenges.

One of the best ways we've found to purge your system of stress is through Intense, Interval Training with a Martial Art twist.

Each session leaves you stripped of any worries, a deep feeling of accomplishment, and a general sense of happiness.

It has worked wonders for me and I guarantee it will feel right for you too.

Get our Basic Fitness Kit and knock out stress once and for all.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

Simple Meditation techniques

Can meditation help in today's hectic world?

I believe in does.

Meditation techniques have been practiced for thousands of years, tracing it back to India and southeast Asia.

Although less popular here in North America, every year it's gaining more and more momentum.

The major factor explaining this rise in popularity is dealing with stress.

Stress doesn't affect you the same if you're meditating daily.

Many studies show meditators benefit from a decrease in Cortisol production (a stress hormone) thus making it easier to deal with stress when it occurs, lower blood pressure, less anxiety and nervousness, more confidence, and also helps with chronic pain and insomnia.

If not for the major health benefits, you can also meditate for getting what you want.

I've talked about this before: "You become what you focus on".

It's a great goal setting tool. Using specific meditation techniques and doing them how we teach, will help attract what it is you want.

You can also use meditation for reflection.

Taking some time to feel your breath and to be thankful for what you have in your life.

You can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes daily to do this.

Considering the amount of time people (maybe even you) spend in front of the TV, 30 minutes of "alone time" is by far a better investment of your time and energy.

If you want to take up meditation you won't have to shave your head, sit in a lotus position, wear a white robe and eat only white rice.

To learn more about meditation and to take up the practice, click here.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin