ASK MASTER MOM
MARTIAL ARTS AND MEDITATION
BENEFITS AND TIPS
GOAL SETTING FUN Here is a fun way to help you keep the goals you set and
“Meditation means to be free from all phenomena, and calmness means to be internally unperturbed. There will be calmness when one is free from external objects and is not perturbed.”
document your progress: Make a video! Video yourself telling “yourself” what your goals are and how you plan on reaching them. Watch it weekly to help you stay on track. You can even add to it as you get closer and closer to your goal, and, of course, make a congratulations video when you reach your goal. MASTER MOM - AMANDA OLSON
–Bruce Lee
When a person is pursuing an active lifestyle in martial arts, training the mind is as important as training the body. Discipline, focus, awareness, and inner calm are key elements in martial arts; without them, a person may be unable to reach their full potential. HOW IS MEDITATION BENEFICIAL? Stress is a common feeling for many and can be reduced through meditation. When a person experiences large amounts of stress, they may experience anxiety, increased blood pressure, and poor sleep, which can influence not only their motivation in martial arts but also their overall life. Meditation can reduce stress by calming the thoughts, emphasizing awareness of the body, and focusing on the now. By disciplining the mind through meditation, martial artists gain the ability to react accordingly in highly stressful situations. Whether they find themselves in real-life combat, working on an important project, or participating in a competition, maintaining relaxed and focus thoughts can give them the ability to make rational decisions quickly and accurately. HELPFUL TIPS TO MEDITATE There are a few ways to meditate, with concentration and mindfulness being two of the most common approaches. Concentration meditation is when you focus on a specific point, which can be your breathing, the flame of a candle, or a softly-repeated mantra. Mindfulness meditation is all about letting your thoughts drift through your mind without correcting them or steering them to one particular thought. The most crucial aspect is to find which technique you feel most comfortable with. One of the easiest ways to meditate is to find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. It’s important that you don’t try to control your breathing and allow it to flow naturally while you relax your entire body.
BASIL BERRY SORBET
Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup sugar
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6 cups frozen mixed berries
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1 cup fresh basil leaves
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3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve. “This year marks a new chapter for our oldest daughter as she ventures to college. With the familiar feeling of anxiety also comes a level of calmness that, no matter what challenges life may throw at her, with those four pillars, she will get through with resilience and come out victorious.”
Meditation helps all martial artists sharpen their skills, focus their wills, and continue in their unique journeys.
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING It takes a village to raise a child. “True to this saying’s meaning, our family is thankful and blissful to be part of Olson’s ‘village.’ Our girls were 9 and 3 years of age when they first started, and Olson’s Empowering Leadership Program has effectively instilled firm virtues not only in our children but also in our entire family. At the day’s end, as we individually reflect how things transpire and how we feel we could have made it better, we simply focus back on those tenets to be renewed.
Throughout the journey of life, we meet many people along the way. Each one has a purpose in our life. No one we meet is ever a coincidence.
“Thank you, Olson’s, for letting us enjoy the journey!” –The Ebeo Family
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