hib's zen • music

Consider training to music. It has been scientifically proven to increase performance during activity. This is because the exertion level being perceived is less due to the natural rhythm that music provides.

Training your performance level with the anticipation of a fun workout while you listen to your favorite music produces an even higher-level result. So make sure you always have your tunes cranked up to inspire you and you’ll be working out at a maximum efficiency level while you are having a really great time!    When I was a kid my friends and I used to listen to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin when we were shadow boxing or training together because they had such cool heavy base lines and simple rhythms we could follow. We lifted weights to Van Halen, Aerosmith or other rock music because it pumped us up to lift more weight. Then when I got older I started to train to Latin, Techno and other types of dance music because it increased the kinds of syncopated rhythms I needed to react faster when I was shadowing or sparring. Now any kind of music is a great background for practicing my timing no matter what kind of type of style I’m listening to. I can jam to just about anything that has a beat!    Listening to music has helped me to pick up rhythm and tempo in my movements. It made my footwork better, it made my coordination better and it enabled me to enjoy the effort I was putting forth. Rhythm and tempo can also help you to understand timing. And timing is an essential part of understanding when you are supposed to be somewhere while you are executing any movement or, technique. Any experienced fighter knows that using timing will increase his or her fluidity and efficiency. In addition to this, it puts you at the right place at just the right time and makes you smoother and relatively faster. Relative speed is important because it is like slight of hand, now you see it, and then I burn you with my well-timed move! This is a sort of Zen control over your physical movements and it makes you feel very comfortable and accomplished.