Although meditation seems a little slower in comparison to other methods of sports preparation like drills, training, or practice, it can help you become more positive and focused when you play. It’s hard to measure the direct effects of meditation on your playing, however, meditation can teach you to focus, relax, and feel more positive about your performance. Include some meditation techniques into your training and practicing schedule and be ready to have a positive effect.
Transcendental meditation (TM) is the most common form of meditation. The practice of TM involves simply and quietly sitting with a clear mind and your eyes closed for about twenty minutes to focus and reduce stress. You need no special equipment to practice TM, but it is not easy to clear your mind for twenty minutes at a time. If you find that, try practicing for shorter periods of time at first. With regular practice, it will become easier to practice for longer periods of time.
If sitting quietly doesn’t help you with your meditation practice or your game, try positive visualization as one part of your meditation technique. Positive visualization involves picturing some circumstances which may occur during a game and then visualizing your response. This can help in increasing your perspective and confidence before you play the game.
Using mantras repeatedly is another effective way to prepare for a game. You can start doing mantra meditation by choosing a quote, word or phrase which inspires you. Then, quietly sit down for a few minutes while repeating the mantra in your head for ten times. Just repeat it silently when you move your lips. Then, repeat it ten more times in your head but not move your lips. If your mind sometimes wanders, come back to the mantra meditation and repeat it again for the duration of your meditating schedule.