Sunday, March 7, 2021

Basketball: What Mindfulness Can Do for You, Plus Lagniappe from Geno

Mindfulness improves the human "operating system." Mindfulness practice exerts powerful influence on our behavior and physiology. Mindfulness brings us now.

Most NBA teams have a mental training support staff. Billionaires don't invest without expecting returns. Neither should we. 



What does mindfulness do?

  • Changes brain structure, adds density to the learning and memory centers and subtracts from the stress center (amygdala)
  • Lowers circulating stress hormones (cortisol)
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Improves sleep 
  • Reduces anxiety and depression
  • Enhances immunity down to the genetic level 


What's the goal? 
  • Enhance being in the moment, focus and attention (proven down to elementary school kids)
  • Reduce the perception of turbulence 
  • Allow awareness to direct action

What simple 'mechanics' help our practice? 

  • It's not rooted in politics or religion, so it won't step on anyone's toes. 
  • It doesn't require a big time commitment.
  • The breath isn't the end but a tool to help our practice (for simplicity, I favor a "square breath" - inhalation, hold, exhalation, and hold). 
  • Be comfortable whether sitting, lying, or even walking. 
  • Use guided meditation.
  • Find meditation apps including free sites

Lagniappe. Build a lion mind. 


Lagniappe 2. Geno says "make zone defenses play man." 



Lagniappe 3. Beware the inbounder.