Visualisation: An Effective Tool to Enhance Learning and Performance

Visualization:   An Effective Tool to Enhance Learning and Performance

Guided imagery, visualization, mental rehearsal or other such techniques can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your training.

"Brain studies now reveal that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions. Mental imagery impacts many cognitive processes in the brain: motor control, attention, perception, planning, and memory. So the brain is getting trained for actual performance during visualization. It’s been found that mental practice can enhance motivation, increase confidence and self-efficacy, improve motor performance, prime your brain for success, and increase states of flow." Psychology Today

There are numerous studies that indicate mental practice is almost as effective as physical practice.  Now, I am certainly not suggesting that we use mental practice as a replacement for physical training however combining visualization techniques into your training regimen will pay dividends.

When we visualize we map and engage the same neural connections as when we physically perform that technique or activity.

Visualization techniques can also be used to reduce stress (pre performance). 

After 40 years of active training, learning, guiding and study in the martial arts I though it time to share ideas and thoughts with the martial arts community and those inteerested in martial arts.

I am a passionate student of the arts (still) and I have seen a lot of changes in attitudes and approaches since early 1973.  Generally there is a much more open attitude to studying the martial arts and students are often encouraged to study more than one art.  That's a good thing. That wasn't the case 40 years ago.

The arts have, more than any other activity defined who I am. For some I am a friend or a father or a business associate, or a teacher or a student etc etc. But to all I am a martial artist.

I encourage and questions or comments. I am sure we won't always agree but perhaps through constructive discussion we can all learn and grow from each other.