Mindfulness

[Jen Mills]

I sat recently at a small group at work for a focused discussion on the practice of mindfulness.

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way
-on purpose
-in the present moment
-nonjudgementally
-as if your life depended on it.”

I realize that martial arts is one of my 'mindfulness practices'. When I am working on forms, learning new techniques, or kicking boards, my mind is paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and with no judgements to myself or others. It's one of the unexpected and unique things about the practice of Tae Kwon Do that I didn't expect when I started. I would say that the feeling of having a focused mind, body, and spirit is something that doesn't come easy or naturally, but has improved in me over the years with the practice of Tae Kwon Do, and I can only imagine becoming more fulfilling with time. If someone would have told me when I started marital arts that I would feel this way about it after a few years, I probably wouldn't have believed it. At the beginning I was so worried about how to kick, where to turn, which move comes next. I still worry about that, and I think that feeling of being a new learner never completely goes away. But as time has progressed, I have found myself in that clear minded, focused, purposeful, and nonjudgmental moment often. And it is refreshing. Studies show mindfulness practices reduce stress, anxiety, pain and job burnout. It's a skill that requires ongoing patience and practice, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to practice it at MIMA.