10 ways to be a better martial artist

There are many ways to improve ourselves as both human beings and martial artists. Here are ten suggestions for mastery in the fighting arts.

1. Expect the best - when you expect the best you are filling yourself up on the inside with positive emotions and positive expectation. Often our worst enemy is ourselves and we are already fighting deep unconscious fears and negativity which stops us winning in life! Start to change this attitude now by knowing you are a winner.

2. Practice breath control - controlling our breathing can induce calmer and more resourceful state of mind that allow us to focus in on the task at hand whether that be the person in front of us with a really bad attitude or the opponent in the ring. Our emotional states can be governed by us and not by outside forces.

3. Prepare for the worst - This sounds negative to start with but isn't. It is like being prepared to die. If you are prepared to die, it doesn't matter what happens. What's the worst that can happen? Contemplate the worst case scenario and make peace with it, then let it go. This way you are getting most of your ego out of the way. Then you can give it 100% with less fear.

4. Use non-attachment - This involves developing balance of perspective. This doesn't mean not having passion or commitment. It is much more than that and it's a state of mind that can be developed over time. When you have full time excitement, full motivations without being concerned over the outcome - you will have already won.

5. Practice relaxation -practice relaxed focus and full body relaxation every day. This will enable you to develop the skill of being able to relax at will in nearly every situation. Practising relaxation brings an awareness of how your body is feeling at any given moment which in turn lets you know whether you are feeling stress or carrying tension around in your limbs. When you know it's there you can begin to let it go.

6. Use visualization - combine this technique with your deep relaxation exercises and imagine every scene of future success in your mind's eye. Rehearsing for the future like this helps you deal with any negative feelings you may have about winning or nervousness about particular combat situations or techniques.

7. Concentration - don't lose yourself in past memories and regrets or day dreams of the future. All that happens is you end up not being aware of right now but lost in a cloud of vagueness. Save your dreaming for your relaxation sessions where they will do more good

8. Positive influences - without being rude, make sure you take yourself out of any pessimistic or negative groups of people. Life is too short to surround yourself or be part of groups who are less than honourable or helpful to you and your goals - you don't need them.

9. Find a good teacher - having a good teacher or sifu is invaluable. As well as setting great examples, the best teachers will rejoice in your success and be sources of endless encouragement and constructive criticism.

10. Seek a higher goal - try and find a higher purpose in your life that means more to you than just winning the next fight competition or beating your next opponent. Having a long term aim that helps not only yourself but others around you can be a source of motivation and hope through any times of limited success, pain or discouragement.