Meditation And Bodybuilding.

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 04:11 PM

I've practiced meditation for 18 years now. I'm interested in hearing about
What forms (i.e. visualization, mindfulness, centering etc) others have found most affective in enhancing their training progress/lifestyle? What are people's experiences?

dbx · 10-11-2006, 04:28 PM

I used to meditate back in my teen years, but that was kind of a...um..different life style I suppose.

These days, I simply get jacked-up on caffeine and go do my thing

. I do think about what I'm going to do before I start my workout, but it's nothing I'd consider "deep".

bluescorpion · 10-11-2006, 04:33 PM

I meditate daily, although not specifically for sport enhancement

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbx

I used to meditate back in my teen years, but that was kind of a...um..different life style I suppose.

These days, I simply get jacked-up on caffeine and go do my thing

. I do think about what I'm going to do before I start my workout, but it's nothing I'd consider "deep".

Maybe you visualize the work-out session in some way and prepare yourelf mentally. I'm curious as to what your practice was and why you stopped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluescorpion

bluescorpion I meditate daily, although not specifically for sport enhancement

Yes, there are certainly a lot of different intentions behind why people meditate. The vast majority don't become involved in its practice for building the physique specifically. However, it's benefits cascade into the arena of exercise nonetheless.

bluescorpion · 10-11-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge3

Yes, there are certainly a lot of different intentions behind why people meditate. The vast majority don't become involved in its practice for building the physique specifically. However, it's benefits cascade into the arena of exercise nonetheless.

I agree completely. I think our minds and bodies are far more integrated than we typically assume. Certainly the benefits of meditation are not limited to mind and spirit

dbx · 10-11-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge3

Maybe you visualize the work-out session in some way and prepare yourelf mentally. I'm curious as to what your practice was and why you stopped.

It was just basic TM back then, and I enjoyed the peace it brought to me. I can't honestly recall why I stopped, but then, I honestly can't clearly recall a lot of things from the 70's

. I've actually thought about doing it again, in some form, but I can never seem to make the time for myself.

As far as workouts are concerned: No, I really don't take the approach you're alluding to. I kind of like the "I'm gonna rip someone's head off" approach to psyching myself mentally for a session.

LR3 · 10-11-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge3

I've practiced meditation for 18 years now. I'm interested in hearing about
What forms (i.e. visualization, mindfulness, centering etc) others have found most affective in enhancing their training progress/lifestyle? What are people's experiences?

i've done vipassana meditation (mindfulness) for 6 years and find it pretty useful. i don't sit as reguarly as i used to, but i do keep awareness of mind/body during the day, especially while swimming and lifting while in the gym. i've done 3 ten day courses (10 days of silent meditiation) and a couple of weekend courses.

i use mindfulness when lifting, keeping all movements controlled with constant awareness (and feeling) of the body part being worked.

i enjoy the meditation at the end of yoga class as well, different type but nice none the less.

my parents took us to TM when we were kids--never got into that form very much, but it was my introduction to meditation.

check out www.dhamma.org , it is the organization that offers 10 day courses free of charge in most countries.

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbx

It was just basic TM back then, and I enjoyed the peace it brought to me. I can't honestly recall why I stopped, but then, I honestly can't clearly recall a lot of things from the 70's

. I've actually thought about doing it again, in some form, but I can never seem to make the time for myself.

I understand. Getting back into meditation can be like wading into cold water. Both the body and the mind resist the process. And especially as we immerse ourselves more into the fast pace of the world, it can be harder to shift the inertia. Once one is in the 'water' long enough, or becomes settled in a particular practice, it becomes more comfortable and easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbx

As far as workouts are concerned: No, I really don't take the approach you're alluding to. I kind of like the "I'm gonna rip someone's head off" approach to psyching myself mentally for a session. :cool

Sounds like Roid rage

I've come into the gym like that before and pushed a little extra iron. What I find at times is I can get into a state that my body is relaxed and tensed with the exercise at the same time. It is just me and the weight, nothing else exists. A cool feeling really.

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LR3

i've done vipassana meditation (mindfulness) for 6 years and find it pretty useful. i don't sit as reguarly as i used to, but i do keep awareness of mind/body during the day, especially while swimming and lifting while in the gym. i've done 3 ten day courses (10 days of silent meditiation) and a couple of weekend courses.

i use mindfulness when lifting, keeping all movements controlled with constant awareness (and feeling) of the body part being worked.

i enjoy the meditation at the end of yoga class as well, different type but nice none the less.

my parents took us to TM when we were kids--never got into that form very much, but it was my introduction to meditation.

check out www.dhamma.org , it is the organization that offers 10 day courses free of charge in most countries.

I also practice vipassana and my experiences are similar. Although I utilize a variety of techniques at times, vipassana is my core practice.

Mark1T · 10-11-2006, 07:09 PM

I meditated a few times in college, when I inhaled

hapkido · 10-11-2006, 07:12 PM

After a real hard workout I do, nice to center myself.
I like to stand on one leg with eyes closed for 5 mins or so and think to myself I'm on top of a mountain.

dbx · 10-11-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hapkido

I like to stand on one leg with eyes closed for 5 mins or so and think to myself I'm on top of a mountain.

This would not be soothing to me.............I'm afraid of heights

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hapkido

After a real hard workout I do, nice to center myself.
I like to stand on one leg with eyes closed for 5 mins or so and think to myself I'm on top of a mountain.

Good way to get a leg up on the competition :P

Seriously though, I do the same exercise but not always after a work-out. I mainly do a lot of stretching. yet I may try doing it after a work-out as you do.

LR3 · 10-11-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge3

I also practice vipassana and my experiences are similar. Although I utilize a variety of techniques at times, vipassana is my core practice.

i've found it the most concrete meditation style so far, placing attention on something that is real.

i also practiced anapanasati and dhammakaya meditation styles in the past. i practiced tae kwan do when i was younger, and our teacher had us do some meditation as well, but i don't remember much of it. i got the most out of vipassana and anapana, and anapana seems to naturally progress to vipassana.

sytennison · 10-11-2006, 08:16 PM

I practiced Zen meditation for about four years a while back when I was a member of the Rochester Zen Center. I attended several 7-day and 4-day meditation retreats (sesshin) in which the participants sat for a minimum of 10 hours a day. It greatly improved my mindfullness. I'm better able to pay attention and am more "plugged in" to my surroundings. Also, all that practice disciplining my mind has allowed me to more quickly recognize and eliminate goofy mental states that I seem to wander into from time to time. Sitting in a traditional Zen posture for hours on end also gives you a different perspective on suffering.

All of this has obvious applications in the gym. I haven't had a regular meditation practice in years, but would like to start back up some day. It's on my to-do list...

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sytennison

I practiced Zen meditation for about four years a while back when I was a member of the Rochester Zen Center. I attended several 7-day and 4-day meditation retreats (sesshin) in which the participants sat for a minimum of 10 hours a day. It greatly improved my mindfullness. I'm better able to pay attention and am more "plugged in" to my surroundings. Also, all that practice disciplining my mind has allowed me to more quickly recognize and eliminate goofy mental states that I seem to wander into from time to time. Sitting in a traditional Zen posture for hours on end also gives you a different perspective on suffering.

All of this has obvious applications in the gym. I haven't had a regular meditation practice in years, but would like to start back up some day. It's on my to-do list...

I relate to falling into the goofy states

For a time I feel centered and at peace. I am able to respond to even intense situations with equanimity. Then there are times when it is like I regress to a childhood temper tantrum about something. I don't jump up and down and threaten to hold my breath until I turn blue. It is more like the way I ruminate on something really minor for too long, magnifying it and getting emotional indigestion for awhile.:P

Yet the more I meditate the less do I 'fall' into such states. The current of the minds' thoughts do not pull me in and away from the present moment as much. Instead, I can watch the flow, naming what I see gently and letting it unfold as it does. That helps alleviate stress, and the additional capacity for focus and concentration translate into more productive work-outs.

If anyone has practiced meditation for a good length of time it tends to tug on oneself. The tugging to return to practice may be gentle and periodic and it takes an initial effort to get the ball rolling again

LR3 · 10-11-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sytennison

Sitting in a traditional Zen posture for hours on end also gives you a different perspective on suffering.

LOL! indeed it does! but that is where you develop equinimity.

bilnv · 10-11-2006, 08:54 PM

I like to use visualization, especially for a hard set of bench presses. I really think it helps me get that extra rep or two. I have not been able to get it to work for all of my exercises though.

sytennison · 10-11-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge3

It is more like the way I ruminate on something really minor for too long, magnifying it and getting emotional indigestion for awhile.:P

That's funny, I used to refer to this as "emotional constipation." Sitting in zazen then became a way of flushing my emotional toilet. I don't think I ever shared this particular visualization with my Sensei. Probably for the best...

When I'm doing my best in the gym, I'm not thinking about reps and sets, I'm not worried about form, I'm not in the head of the guy or gal on the next rack, I'm not elated nor am I in pain. I'm just lifting, just breathing, just counting. That's the good stuff!

**Forge3** · 10-11-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilnv

I like to use visualization, especially for a hard set of bench presses. I really think it helps me get that extra rep or two. I have not been able to get it to work for all of my exercises though.

I recall that Arnold Schwazzenegger used to visualize his biceps becoming big like mountains when he was doing curls. I imagine he could focus on the chest rising up like hills during the bench press and his leg muscles expanding as he was doing squats. All this could prove helpful after proper form has been established and one has found their groove.

greggamma · 10-28-2006, 07:57 PM

Taoist.
Focal changes(seeing fat melt away-muscles grow)
30-45 mins. 2 times everyday
Focus on Dan Tien/lower elixir feild.
Also do moxabustion to increase energy circulation.

hapkido · 10-28-2006, 08:06 PM

Helps to deal with stress, it has to be good

sicdeusvult · 12-12-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbx

I used to meditate back in my teen years, but that was kind of a...um..different life style I suppose.

These days, I simply get jacked-up on caffeine and go do my thing

. I do think about what I'm going to do before I start my workout, but it's nothing I'd consider "deep".

hahaha yeah man, me too.

i used to in high school, greatly helped with my ADD. now that im in college (and this year im stuck in the dorms with a roommate) i dont have enough private quiet time to do it, so my ADD is much harder to control.

meditation works wonders though
__________________

Baldsnake · 12-12-2006, 05:22 AM

Tried it once in the 70s on a very serious note. With an experienced guide I got into a very deep state but had one of those "total body jolts" the kind you can get just as you fall asleep, but several times more profound. Scared me so much that I never did it again.

I prefer a quiet morning fly fishing alone on a High Sierra trout stream, stitting on a cliff with my feet dangling over the edge and watching the sunrise, sailing to Catalina Island at dusk trying to race the sun as it drops and suddenly flashes green.

**Forge3** · 12-12-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldsnake

Tried it once in the 70s on a very serious note. With an experienced guide I got into a very deep state but had one of those "total body jolts" the kind you can get just as you fall asleep, but several times more profound. Scared me so much that I never did it again.

I prefer a quiet morning fly fishing alone on a High Sierra trout stream, stitting on a cliff with my feet dangling over the edge and watching the sunrise, sailing to Catalina Island at dusk trying to race the sun as it drops and suddenly flashes green.

On that note what I find great is simply going into nature and simply listening to the sounds around me. I close my eyes and listen. Eventually my mind becomes like a clean slate and I enter a wonderful world of sounds. It is actually very refreshing.