Saturday, November 23, 2013

Integrating “Mindfulness” into Holistic Training

"Life is a journey from I to I am” - Vedas

Paul Newell (Source: Balance Wellness)
It was nearly two (2) years ago I signed up for yoga classes at American Yoga Academy with the main goal of enhancing relaxation, flexibility, and stress management. I had the good fortune of taking multiple classes taught by Paul Newell of Balanced Wellness. It was literally the first time ever I had heard of “Mindfulness” and Tai-Chi and he provided excellent teaching, instructions with tips on integrating and incorporating key aspects into training for competitive track & field. 

Shortly thereafter, I again heard of the benefits of “Mindfulness”, Tai-Chi, Yoga, Ayurveda etc. while attending a Holistic Wellness event in Harlem, New York. In April 2012, I attended an all-day Holistic Wellness event at CCNY. At both events, key panels were moderated by Dr. Terri Kennedy of Power Living. I was also very lucky to get an autographed copy of Dr. Kennedy’s book, “The Power Living Pledge” which is a very helpful self-guide to wellness, positive health and lifestyle.

It is often said that it is important to listen, understand, appreciate, and moreover, put into practice valuable knowledge, experience, and wisdom of renowned experts who have been there and done that. Unfortunately, due to my own innate ignorance, stubborness, lack of attentiveness and sheer apathy, I did not pay serious heed to “Mindfulness”, Tai-Chi, Yoga, Ayurveda, etc. as for me it was literally into one ear and out the other.

During various speed, interval and distance workouts and competition, there are repetitive signs of deep exhaustion, nausea, stress, strain and fatigue which are continual and ongoing since my earlier competitive days at Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale Community College and University of Southern California where I was basically battling early signs of diabetes, nephrotic syndrome and other health issues (all diagnosed in later years including various forms of fatigue; metabolic, neuro-muscular and central nervous system etc.). I was not at-par with any of the many championship-level and elite athletes on the various teams.


As 2013 started, due to ineffective training resulting from the lack of putting “Mindfulness” into daily practice, I missed the entire indoor track & field season. In March, the outdoor track & field season commenced. In late March, during the 200 meters at Monmouth University Invitational Track & Field Meet, as I crossed the finish-line, I felt onset of fatigue, stress and strain of right-leg hamstring, quads, abductors, adductors and calve muscles. I continued speed-training into April-May and developed intense plantar fasciitis as well as shin splints and scratched from competing in the 200 meters and 400 meters at the New Jersey - USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

In early June, at the Mid-Atlantic – USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, I went through normal warm-up sequence and drills. I scratched from competing in the 400 meters fearing fatigue and related issues. While doing wind-sprints, I sensed some odd feeling and did not pay any attention at all.

At the start of 200 meters, I felt right-leg hamstring pull, strain in the adductors and extensive knee pain. I immediately informed Coach F. Eugene Driver III of Trojan Masters Track Club and he consoled me by text message and said he knew exactly how I felt. Subsequently, I had to pull-out of competing in the USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, Empire State Games and States Games of America.

The long six (6) month journey to full-recovery was steady progress while putting into daily practice Coach Driver’s very specific instructions on preparation for competition, tips on dynamic stretching, guidance and advice on acceleration / sprint / speed-training as well as often hearing his kind words of encouragement. Moreover, the credit of accelerating the path to full competitive training was due to actually integrating “Mindfulness” while leveraging the benefits of Tai-Chi, Yoga and Ayurveda etc.; I guess I had to learn it the hard way.


In January, I am really looking forward to the start of 2014 Masters indoor track & field season followed by the outdoor track & field season. I fully realize it is all about truly putting into everyday practice all of the vast knowledge, experience and wisdom of renowned experts such as Coach Driver, Dr. Kennedy and Paul Newell.

There are no “silver bullets”, short-cuts, frills, fads or gimmicks when compared to practicing sound fundamentals of high quality holistic training in an effective manner. It is paramount to integrate and incorporate “Mindfulness” while undertaking various time-tested methods, techniques, skills and drills.

References:
2.      http://trackmom.com/



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