Playing Golf - Moment by Moment - In The Zone

[Dr Ray]

We all know golf is a game of inches. We have seen too many missed
putts and resulting loses to question the truth of this common phrase.

But what about playing each stroke, one at a time? I have heard many,
even Sport Psychologists, say this is not possible.

But it is.

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are great examples of Masters who
consistently block out distractions and remain fully focused in the
moment - throughout the long series of moments involved in every game
of golf, every hole, each and every stroke.

I submit - that each and every moment - can be consistently played -
for what it is - in golf - and in many other aspects of our lives.

EXAMPLE

When Master Musician David Baker of Indiana University endorsed In The
Zone: Making Winning Moments Your Way of Life, he said:

"Ray, every jazz musician is In The Zone, every moment. This is as
true of musicians as it is of athletes."

My response:

"How could I have overlooked this obvious fact - being a jazz musician
myself?"

The answer is simple.

We tend to find truth where we look for it. I had been so focused on
athletes, I had overlooked the same phenomenon in music - now made
known to me by David.

Within seconds, I knew David was right - making In The Zone
performances a more understandable reality - compared to athletes
reporting being in the zone on one or another rare occasion.

Long story short: Performing In The Zone is the result of practice
and of skills you have acquired.

Being relaxed, balanced, flexible and focused are the 4-Core
Competencies of In The Zone Performers in every field.

This is true in sports, in the arts, and YES even in science - but's
that's another story for another Post.

Dr. Ray

[Dr Ray]

I am interested in your thoughts about the ideas of breaking down
"zone" moments even further - into each inhalation and exhalation.

"Tiger" must have developed a breathing pattern to set himself up for
any shot - and most special breathing for the putt.

I introduced my ex-brother-in- law and my niece and nephew to kung-fu
a couple of years ago and now getting documentaries on Bruce Lee to
show them. So we have all been wondering about Bruce Lees breathing
with reference to his two finger, one arm pushup and the famous 1"
punch - both of which we have seen many times on the documentaries

Also, I have been working on breathing as weightlifting repetitions,
while holding a semi-static and isometric position, moving air instead
of weight - all lower abdominal breathing.

All of this really ties into martial and Zen arts - where meditation
is achieved through movement and movement through meditation

Take care,

Metch

-

[Dr Ray]

Breathing, including inhalations and exhalations, is a surprisingly
overlooked and essential element of all sports.

Let me give you an example from Gymnastics:

Recently, a Mother called me, asking whether I would work with her
emerging championship level son-gymnast (high school level).

Working with the boy, I asked what he did with his breathing during
his routine(s)?

He said, he didn't know because he had never thought about it.

Since his personal Coach was an Olympic Judge, I assumed the subject
of
breathing would have surfaced at some point - but apparently, it had
not.

The boy then proceeded to ask other boys also involved in Gymnastics,
what they did with their breathing and only one had incorporated
proper breathing into his overall routine.

That same boy's parents were both Olympic Champions and he was the
best of the group he was involved with. So, breathing did play an
important role in this one boy's development and performance.

I do believe Golfers will eventually realize the essential role
breathing plays in the execution of a powerful, rhythmic, well-
controlled golf
swing, not to mention how proper breathing can regulate the central
nervous system, overcoming stress and tension during challenging
moments.

This is an important subject and I encourage all Group Members to
submit your thoughts and questions so we can advance the discussion
further
toward greater understanding.

Dr. Ray