Get Up, Stand Up!

June 4, 2012

“Get up!” “Stand up!”

I never allow my clients to slump, sit down, or lie down crumpled in a heap after an exercise, set, or workout. They know my rationale is partly physical, but mostly mental. You see, it’s critical to never allow the workout to beat you, no matter how tough it feels.

The mind rules the body, yes, but the body also influences the mind. It’s a 2 way street. Ever heard the phrase, “if you want to be happy, smile”? That’s a great example of how a small action of the body can have a big effect on the mind. What about your posture? Ever try to be energetic and fired up while sitting in a a slumped posture with head down and rounded shoulders? It’s nearly impossible, isn’t it?

So what message is your body sending to your mind if you collapse on the floor in a quivering heap after a workout session? The message is subtle, but here it is:

I can’t do this.

This was too much for me.

It was too hard.

Too challenging.

I can’t handle it.

I don’t have what it takes.

I am incapable of pushing through.

I am tired.

I am weak.

Do not allow yourself to send those messages to your mind. They grow. They fester. They accumulate. No matter how tired you are, get up. No matter how hard it was, stand up. Have pride in yourself and honor your accomplishment. Act with dignity, even if no one is watching. Reinforce your body’s strength with mental toughness and reinforce your mental toughness with your body’s action.

So the question I have for you is – does the body rule the mind or the mind rule the body? What do you think? Drop me a comment below and let me know!

Jon

Jon Haas, "The Warrior Coach" has been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for more than 25 years and is currently ranked as a Kudan (9th degree black belt) under Jack Hoban Shihan. He has also trained in Okinawan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Russian Systema, BJJ, Krav Maga, as well as Internal Martial Arts of Yiquan and Aiki.He is a certified Underground Strength Coach-Level 2, a certified Personal Trainer as well as founder of Warrior Fitness Training Systems. In 2008, Jon wrote the book, Warrior Fitness: Conditioning for Martial Arts, and since then has created numerous other online training and coaching programs helping people around the world become the strongest, most capable versions of themselves!