Tapping into the Zone

supergreenman

supergreenman

truly addicted
Silver Member
Things I've noticed in the past 6 months:
  • I have less nerves before and during a match
  • my ability to focus is noticeably improved
  • I'm running out with more frequency
  • I practice less

You read that right. I spend less time at the table this year then I have in years, yet I've made big improvements in consistency and accuracy.

So what's changed you ask?

In May I started going to yoga, and even more recently I've taken up meditation.

When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath. ~Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika

It's been said that Yoga is the practice of movement through breathing. I say so is pool.

As I'm learning to tap into a meditative state, I've learned to stop my mind from wandering by focusing on my breathing.

I've started to take this into my daily life including pool.

If there ever was a silver bullet, this is it.

You don't see results over night, you have to consistently work at it.

Give it a try, the worst that can happen is you find peace and get some exercise.

Nameste
 
I wish I knew more about yoga. There are classes around here but they really seem to be more of the "let's do stretching exercises on the floor..." -type thing than real yoga.
 
bdorman said:
I wish I knew more about yoga. There are classes around here but they really seem to be more of the "let's do stretching exercises on the floor..." -type thing than real yoga.
Click to expand...

The greats all do it - Reyes, Parica, Souqet, Alcano, Bustamante, Kiamco. Watch these guys in the chair.

This is all you need....

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Strom-Learn-Breathe/dp/B000T2PRLG

51eC0olh1OL._SY300_.jpg
 
Reading the Inner Game of Tennis is what helped me the most. I have heard a lot about yoga but never tried it. Maybe something I need to look into to.
 
My game has improved a lot in the last year, i practice daily, exercise 5 days a week, and imagine my self in dead stroke when i walk in to the pool room. I find myself in stroke a lot more these days.
 
What I find particularly significant is that I can tap into the zone after only a couple of breaths.

I usually have nerves at the beginning of the year for league play or at tournaments. Breathing doesn't get rid of nerves, but I'm now able to regulate my heart rate with my breath and that helps alleviate the worst of it.
 
I've found things that generally improve your quality of life, also improve your pool game. Albeit not a ton...

I eat super squeaky clean, lift weights regularly, practice yoga regularly, walk in the sunshine daily, and meditate for 10 minutes a few times a week. It all makes the body and mind gel together very well:) Namaste.
 
The best type of meditation for pool is Creative Visualization paired with breathing techniques. You need to not only visualize making a shot and position but also everything about your performance. See yourself there in the chair or at the table, in control and unaffected by anything else. You will be able to control your body and beat everybody you are supposed to with ease and rise up to beat tougher opponents.

When you run on tension conflict or aggression it can be very powerful. The risks are that it is more taxing on your endurance to do so and your fine motor skills needed for a great stroke suffer. Once you have learned the game and what to do it really all comes down to letting your body perform what you have trained it to do and execution. It's all muscle memory.

So it takes minimal practice to stay in stroke at this level. You want to be over a shot in command and confident in your ability. If there's a doubt embrace it. Consider safes and 2 way shots but when you are shooting you are 100% committed to making the shot.

Hopefully we have all had days where we arrive to play and know we are going to play lights out. Why is that? For me it's because the mental preparation allows it.
 
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Namaste

"The spirit in me, recognizes the spirit in you."

JoeyA
 
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