Martial Mindfulness Association

Aim: Introduce attendees to basic Mindfulness techniques that they can apply and nurture - both in the class and in their daily lives. Stress, depression and anxiety is having a terrible effect on our society especially on our youth. Mindfulness is scientifically proven to be the most effective way to combat stress but also proven to help increase mental health, performance, productivity and overall wellbeing - All extremely important for young teens in their crucial formative years of development. Head combat coach of Team Tieu, Philip said that “99% of the fight game is mental”

What is Mindfulness: At its most basic level, mindfulness helps train your attention to be more aware of what is actually happening, rather than worrying about what has happened or might happen. We learn to bring greater curiosity to whatever it is we experience. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founding father of secular mindfulness, described this skill as ‘being alive and knowing it’.

What Mindfulness isn’t: Mindfulness is not simply emptying your mind, nor is it just chilling out. It is the skill we develop to observe thoughts and then to bring our attention back to the present. It is not religious or spiritual - the techniques and the results are tried/tested and science based.

What the science says: We have over 70k thoughts everyday! Through mindfulness we learn to witness the thoughts rather than being a passenger to them. Doing as little as 10 mins a day, we can begin to form new neural pathways in the brain, our ability to concentrate increases, we become more productive and it helps to provide a mental space for flow. Mindfulness is also proven to help with physical pain and recovery. For more science and details visit https://mindfulnessinschools.org/the-evidence-base/

The approach: In the final 10 minutes of the hour combat class, instructors will guide the class through a 10 min meditation. This is a great time to round off the session by winding down both the body and mind. Q) Do the coaches need to be certified Mindfulness instructors? No - the coaches need not be experts as their role is to facilitate the meditation rather than to teach it. The coaches will undergo training and will be handed the key concepts along a with short scripts and bullet points that they can refer to before and during the class. They will also receive example video guided meditations so they can practice themselves but also to demonstrate the most effective ways to execute the 10 minute meditation.

Who else is doing Mindfulness? Mindfulness is increasing in popularity due to the scientific research and the repeated positive results. So much so that the NHS, Schools, the Government and Prison systems are adopting this. Often, getting expelled from schools is almost like a prison sentence in the UK, and going to prison increases your chances of reoffending upon release. Mindfulness has had an incredible impact in these areas. Teams such as the Chicago Bulls and the New England Patriots say Mindfulness and meditation was a big part of their routine and success. Celebrities such as Oprah, Ellen, Steve Jobs, and 80% of top CEO’s practice meditation. Fighters at the top level of MMA, Boxing and Muay Thai are turning to mind coaches to take their game to higher levels.

About me: Mindfulness Head Coach -Gui Hung

Through his 8 years of Podcasting and speaking with the leading thinkers on the subject of Mindfulness, Gui has become a key person of influence in the Mindfulness community. His podcasts (link here: www.renaissancepodcast.com) include guests such as Jon Kabat-Zinn (the father of modern Mindfulness), Daniel Goleman (who coined the term 'Emotional Intelligence') and Ruby Wax (Comedian and mental health advocate). Gui turned this passion of Mindfulness, conversation and helping others to teaching Mindfulness at the corporate level (Credit Agricole, BBC, Westminster Kingsway College, and Martial Arts group -Team Tieu) and at the individual level (students include current European Muay Thai Champion and London City executives). Gui also podcasts for the largest Happiness charity of which the Dalai Lama is the patron (Podcasts available here https://www.actionforhappiness.org/podcasts)