At a recent dinner party, I met someone who spent 50+ years studying martial arts and the conversation with him was fascinating. I know nothing about karate but in listening to him speak, I realized that this is exactly what I practice with sauna, cold plunge, and breathwork. Mind over matter...
Karate has a principle of "mind over matter" which refers to mental strength that can overcome physical challenges. It emphasizes the power of the mind to influence physical performance, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure. What I never appreciated is that karata emphasizes discipline, self-control, and mindfulness -- it doesn't ask you to "toughen up", it asks you to find your center.
This again reminded me so much of my practice with cold plunge. It's about finding so much focus and calm that you soften into the resilience. There's no "white knuckling it". It's not about force. It's about power. It's not about just getting through the cold plunge. It's about finding a deep presence in it.
When we engage in these somatic practices it's important that we learn how to soften in the experience vs. forcing our energy through it. Instead of "pushing", we find an acceptance in the discomfort. This acceptance allows us to lean back and surrender into it. We can then witness our own power. This is the "mind over matter" at work.
Try it out this week. You got this.