Practicing mindfulness is so important for us all, it helps us to stay connected to the present which can be so difficult , we are either thinking in the past or in the future. It improve focus, concentration and allows us to let go of any negative thoughts we may have.
Sport and physical activity can helps us to be in the here and now and to focus our minds in pressure situations.
Here are some Athletes that use mindfulness in their sport,
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Arguably the best player to ever play football uses mindfulness to give him calmness.
“I tried it (meditation), 15/20 mins, it really works. It calms and brings me a lot of serenity. I meditate almost every day, working especially on breathing. In those moments, I’m in my bubble. But there are so many ways to meditate”
- Bianca Andreescu
A Canadian professional tennis player who is the highest-ranked Canadian in the history of the Women’s Tennis.
The first thing the teenager does when she wakes up is meditate. Meditation and yoga have been a big part of her daily routine since around the age of 12. She explained to press:
I think it really helps me get a good jump-start to the day. Not opening my phone or anything, not getting too overwhelmed. I take 15 minutes every morning just to get in tune with my body, my mind. I visualize myself having a good day, like, stuff like that.
- Kobe Bryant
was one of the most dedicated and talented basketball players in the NBA “I think it’s important because it sets me up for the rest of the day. It’s like having an anchor. If I don’t do it, it feels like I’m constantly chasing the day, as opposed to being controlled and dictate the day.”
- Novak Djokovic
The current ranked number 1 player in the world Novak says he meditates and uses mindfulness because the practice provides him with the optimal state of peace and calm while simultaneously contributing to happiness and joy.