What's Stopping You Reaching The Zone?
- Date: 2007-01-21 - Word Count: 478
Share This!
Here is an interesting story that I believe highlights one reason many fail to reach The Zone, that euphoric state when a peak performance feels the easiest, most natural thing we can do.
On my drive to work I used to see an elderly gentleman walking his dog. He first caught my attention because in spite of his age (probably around eighty years old) he moved with a wonderful free-flowing action and always had a smile on his face. Day by day I observed his effortless style and we soon began to acknowledge one another with a polite wave. Here was a man in The Zone. He could enjoy being in the moment during his daily activity.
Several weeks later I noticed a change in his gait. In place of his usual stride was a contrived march accompanied by a fixed facial expression and stiffness throughout his body. Thinking he might be in pain, I stopped to ask if he needed any help. Once I got closer the reason for the change became obvious. It was not physical but one of attitude; today he was wearing a tracksuit. He informed me that his doctor had suggested he took up exercise to maintain fitness in his later years.
So instead of enjoying his morning walk he was now 'working out' to keep fit. It was apparent that his idea of exercise involved making a natural activity harder, to guarantee he would get some benefit from it. Yet the extra effort succeeded only in adding unnecessary tension to his frame and strain on the joints and perhaps in the long term changing his concept of what free movement feels like. In place of enjoying his morning stroll, whilst keeping fit in the process anyway, it had become a chore because it was now exercise. Was he still in The Zone?
Your biggest hurdle to reaching The Zone and experiencing a peak performance e is an invisible one. That's not because it is hidden from view; in fact, you can't see it because you are too close to it. It's right in front of your nose, or to be accurate, behind your nose. I believe the conventional attitude to training and physical activity, that is, it takes hard work and plenty of effort, can interfere with our body's natural ability to perform at its capacity. I think of it as driving your car with one foot rammed on the accelerator and the other on the brake.
To increase our chances of getting into The Zone we need to try a little less and train a little more imaginatively and intelligently to appreciate how our body's want to move and can move if we just let it. Perhaps this is what is happening when athletes use words such as effortless, flowing, simple and even easy to describe their moment in The Zone.
On my drive to work I used to see an elderly gentleman walking his dog. He first caught my attention because in spite of his age (probably around eighty years old) he moved with a wonderful free-flowing action and always had a smile on his face. Day by day I observed his effortless style and we soon began to acknowledge one another with a polite wave. Here was a man in The Zone. He could enjoy being in the moment during his daily activity.
Several weeks later I noticed a change in his gait. In place of his usual stride was a contrived march accompanied by a fixed facial expression and stiffness throughout his body. Thinking he might be in pain, I stopped to ask if he needed any help. Once I got closer the reason for the change became obvious. It was not physical but one of attitude; today he was wearing a tracksuit. He informed me that his doctor had suggested he took up exercise to maintain fitness in his later years.
So instead of enjoying his morning walk he was now 'working out' to keep fit. It was apparent that his idea of exercise involved making a natural activity harder, to guarantee he would get some benefit from it. Yet the extra effort succeeded only in adding unnecessary tension to his frame and strain on the joints and perhaps in the long term changing his concept of what free movement feels like. In place of enjoying his morning stroll, whilst keeping fit in the process anyway, it had become a chore because it was now exercise. Was he still in The Zone?
Your biggest hurdle to reaching The Zone and experiencing a peak performance e is an invisible one. That's not because it is hidden from view; in fact, you can't see it because you are too close to it. It's right in front of your nose, or to be accurate, behind your nose. I believe the conventional attitude to training and physical activity, that is, it takes hard work and plenty of effort, can interfere with our body's natural ability to perform at its capacity. I think of it as driving your car with one foot rammed on the accelerator and the other on the brake.
To increase our chances of getting into The Zone we need to try a little less and train a little more imaginatively and intelligently to appreciate how our body's want to move and can move if we just let it. Perhaps this is what is happening when athletes use words such as effortless, flowing, simple and even easy to describe their moment in The Zone.
Related Tags: peak performance, the zone, ultimate fitness, peak fitness, performance enhancement, injury free sport
Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has taught people of all ages, backgrounds and ability. He is particularly interested in applying this remarkable technique to sports people to help enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. More information about this unique educational method can be found by clicking The Alexander Technique Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without
