10/04/2007
As a former Nationally Ranked Division 1A Wrestler I look back upon my college career and am amazed at the lack of focus and mental awareness that I competed with. I was consistently inconsistent by beating a Division 1 All-American one week then losing to a Division 2 wrestler then next week. I now realize I was missing two very important things: Breath Control and Meditation.
In college I remember being very tense both in mind and in body, regardless of how flexible my muscles were. My mind was tightly strung with worry and doubt and so my body tensed up in response therefore restricting my circulation and oxygenated blood flow. The mind and body are intricately connected and affect each other at all times.
It was only after college and spending time in British Columbia, Canada, along with living in Portland, Oregon, that I found the missing key to my athletic success. It was in these places that I was introduced to Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation. Each of these healing modality incorporates intelligent breathing patterns and mental strengthening exercises thus increasing all levels of existence. By controlling my mind while channeling my breath and internal life force I can align the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of athletic competition. This I know and truly believe was the missing link and now that I practice on a daily basis, my new dream of mixed martial arts fighting will only be accessed on a higher plane of competitive existence.
-Brian Wood (Seraiah)