Concentration

We live fast these days.
Constantly surrounded with some forms of distractions.
Constantly trying to improve our "multitasking skills ".

Always having something on our mind: memories,fears, hopes,fantasies and plans.

Listening to the radio while driving, fallowing the navigation, observing the road.

Listening to the music player while on the public transport, in between City noise, flashing lights/adverts, mobile phone notifications, another provoking article on the newspaper held by a person in front of you.  

We don't need to watch talent shows to witness another attempt to set up new "Guinness world record" on how many tasks can be achieved by one person in one day, hour or even a minute.
All we need to do is watch carefully how time can be utilised by some of the modern mum's/business and sports women, all in one.
I met few of them and I have to say that; I am amazed and inspired by those Ladies.

I do try to get most out of my day myself.
And truly speaking I believe that with the right planning, timing, reducing the time wasters, I could still get done much more.

But then when it comes to concentration. How do we cope with focusing on the task when there is so much going around us as well as in our heads?

I do believe that you can only achieve your maximum if you can fully concentrate  on "right here,right now".

This is what martial arts, teaching and fighting helps me to work on.

I could do some cardio punch bag workout, which will make me loose couple of kilos and make my arms and legs sore, swinging my limbs with power, speed but without a sense.

I can also fully concentrate and do all above while drilling and improving my techniques. 

I could spend few round with my sparring partner keeping up the tempo, or even feeding my ego by dominating him. Or I could focus and use this opportunity to work on my weakness and to try to learn something new.

I call it "active meditation", not sure if such a thing exist.

But then actual meditation is another method of improving my concentration, which has also been brought to my life by practise of martial arts.

I am still far away from flights controllers of a Heathrow airport, but definitely getting better and better, day by day.

Krystian Ozog Fighter/Instructor, GMMA Academy 07928093841 | KrystianGuruMuayThai@gmail.com | http://www.gmma.co.uk/ | London/Great Britain

Go and get it

We all want be successful and achieve something in our lives.

There is nothing wrong about it. We should all aim for better living.

We should all aim high and constantly look for the way to improve.

We do deserve the best, every one of  us.

But it is not going to be given to us.

We have to "go and get it".

If I wanted to become a doctor, I would most likely try to get myself on the course at medical university, would study the subject and try to graduate the best I can. Once completed the Uni I would look for the practise, understanding that only persistence in my work and education can make me qualified doctor.

If I wanted to become a carpenter, I would look for carpentry courses, buy myself a set of tools and look for the practise on the building sites. Knowing that it takes time, hard work and constant learning to become qualified carpenter.

If I wanted to become a professional boxer, I would start by signing up with amateur boxing club, buy myself boxing gloves and some running shoes. Would take any opportunity to improve my boxing skills, would work on my sparring, endurance, diet and everything it takes to become qualified boxer.

And so on... .

Simple method in whoever you choose you wanna become.

Just "go and get it"!

You wanna loose few kilos simply: change your diet and exercise.

You want to improve your flexibility: stretch daily.

You want to improve your stamina: increase your cardio workout.

You want to become a great fighter: train and compete.

Whatever you wanna achieve, whoever you wanna become: just "go and get it".

There is no short cuts.

You cannot open the door without unlocking it first.

www.GMMA.co.uk

   

Planting a seed is just great beginning.

Everyone who understands bit of farming knows that; planting a seed in a nutritious turf at the right location and right time is only a great beginning.
To grow a plant to its maximum ability of a certain kind we need much more than that. We need a lot of patients, while giving constant care and helping mother nature to shape it up the mother nature to shape it up the best possible way. Each plant individually got different needs according to its nature, changing seasons,  weather and many upcoming obstacles. Sometimes it is a long journey without visible effects till the very end.

Let's take an example of that lovely apple tree in your beautiful garden. 

Extreme winds,heavy rain,cold or heat,insects,overgrowing; all that and probably much more could harm the process of growing your dream apple tree.

Of course we could say that mother nature is going to take care of everything and we shouldn't get involved. But I strongly believe that we have been brought to this world gifted with such powerful tools: human brains  to help her in amazing project. To work as great comunity along with all the nature which we are part of. 

On another side; we shouldn't forget that it was us who planted that tree, in our own garden, it was our own choice. And we need to make sure that it has everything that requires to grow strong and healthy. At this same time we can't forget about other plants in our garden. They are also our creation. We have this same obligations torwards them and we need to make sure that they are not being disturbed by our tree.

Martial arts training for kids is just like that apple tree.

We got to constantly support,protect and shape them up. Sometimes we need to trim they branches to make sure they wouldn't take the sun away from other plants.

We got to be patient and understand that first apples might not be the tastiest and there is a chance that we will find some insects in it. Cold or dry weather could be reason of slowing down the process too. 

So it is our job to observe how the tree is growing and help it along to get its best.

Sooner or later, but surely we are going to get rewarded with beautiful,tasty and full of nutrition apples.

www.GMMA.co.uk

Does attending the classes make you an expert?

Few years back, when someone i know very well has completed accounting course on one of Great London universities. We had a small celebration party over that event. Together with some other happy graduate who also completed with fantastic scores on the diploma.

most of them have spent one out of four years studies at the placement in different companies learning practical side of the craft.   

Summarizing and speculating what are they going to do next.They all have been saying that course itself has given them some fundamental knowledge about the subject, professional language, procedures and short cuts that can be used in the profession.

They have been pretty confident that they took most out of it.

But at this same time: as it usually happens at the beginning of new chapter; there was a doubt and questions coming through the conversation.    
As they all have agreed that there is still a lot to learn for them, to become professional accountants.

Diploma in their hands has been opening the door to begin actual practical studying.

It will take them while before they will be able to say that they are professional accountants. 

I remember passing my driving exam.
First time driving on my own,without instructor on the passenger sit, I didn't feel like Luis Hamilton at all!
Took me a bit of time before I started feeling comfortable driving around.

I remember young bricklayers I met when I was working on the building sites.
Just after finishing two years course at the college, being sent on site by the agency. Didn't really have a clue how to; (not even build the wall) rise up the level of manhole cover with the bricks. 

All these examples as many others have a great potential to become professionals at the subjects they have chosen.
However they all need the practise.
Knowing the theory and basics of the subject, can help to speed up practical learning. It gives fundamental knowledge which helps to understand the subject.

But our further success in the chosen art, depends on our ambitions, volume of practise, will of development and achieving the success.

Martial arts  are no different to other professions.

You can attend the classes, complete your exams and go through different levels.

You can wear black belt or get some titles which you can proudly hang on the wall.

But as in all of the professions,to understand better and  to be fluent with it, you need to practise, you need to put yourself in test.

Never rely on talent or abilities, there is always room for improvement.

Always aim to become better.

WWW.GMMA.CO.UK

Fighting is like a tennis

Sitting in the café,waiting for my Coach to come for a meeting.
Watching tennis match between two probably the greatest female players of these days at Wimbledon tournament 2015. Match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Both powerful and skilled ladies, both very experienced and focused.
Not giving each other much space, covering whole court with ease.
Looking for each other mistakes playing the ball at every possible angle, speed and distance.
When it comes to manual skills and physical abilities as a tennis players there isn't much they can both improve.
It is more of a mind game.
Bit of a poker or a  chess game, if you like.
Tricking each other and staying focused till the very last ball as anything can happen to the last minute.
Everything depends on how you manage your emotions, how you read the game and your opponent.  How quick you give the correct answer to a very tricky question?
Both players trying to distract and throw out of balance the  opponent.
After playing close ball to the left, throwing fast - long one to the right, then another long to the left again.
Just like in fighting.
Throwing left low kick,to throw opponent off balance, following with straight right hand to the head and continue with the left hook to see what happens next. All of the shots thrown with speed and power appropriate for the occasion. 

It is all about using different variations, adjusting to the situation  ( strengths and weaknesses of your opponent ) and making use of all of the weapon which you store at your arsenal. To not become obvious and predictable. 

I suppose the principals of tennis training as well as in combat sports, is got to be countless repetition of every possible offense and defense.
Making it the second nature,teaching the mind and body to react instantly.

If you train some kind of fighting sports, next time you practice; think of tennis game.

Play smart, hold your nerves and fight right to the end.

www.GMMA.co.uk 

Be positive.

Every day we are having a gift of getting another chance, we can start again or simply continue achieving our goals.
It is our choice what we are going to do with that great gift.
It is our choice how we are going to feel about it, about ourselves and our situation. 
We all get absorbed by everydays life and its difficulties. We all get tired physically and mentally.
Is there any recipe of how to get through those times?
Well I think there is.
I think that first of all we should all understand that life is full of ups and downs.  We should be grateful of what we have, stay focused and positive.
Surround ourselves with positive people who are going to lift us up instead of pulling down.
Great vision of the future created by positive thinking and having good plan can give us so much more power to go through the obstacles.
Just like in the ring: the winner becomes the one who wants it more.
It is a simple math; two trained and skilled fighters facing each other at this same weight category, got equal chances to win, very often it depends on mental strength and never give up attitude.
When we believe in the end result and not being afraid of failure, we are going to get what we want easier and possibly quicker.
As I have mentioned in one of my previous post "Unnecessary stress" , about the power of emotions.
Emotions can give you super strenght or paralyse you. And there is no doubt about it.
You choose which way you wanna go.
You choose to spend your day with complaints and excuses or stay positive, enjoy what you got and use all that to eget better.
Passion, love, sharing with others will give more sense to your everyday life and will help you to go through the hardship.
Just remember your goals.
Do what you believe in.
Be positive, be happy.
www.GMMA.co.uk