Sports medicine has been a de-facto specialty in medicine and athletics for some time. It’s widely understood that athletes, and in particular pro athletes, have special medical needs that warrant such a specialty. What’s interesting and somewhat new is the advent of a sub-specialty that is now often a part of a sports medicine practice. This sub-specialty is mindfulness. No longer merely a hobby for odd new agers with tarot cards and crystal balls, it is now possible to be a serious coach in the field of mindfulness. The National Academy of Sports Medicine offers certification in the field of wellness, which can readily adapt and integrate mindfulness techniques. This standardization of practice should be a welcome advent for athletes seeking to add wellness techniques to their sports training regimen. Certified coaches are trained in best practices and taught to adhere to a code of ethics. Such coaches also have an array of different modalities to pick from, because of their training. Mindfulness, used as a health practice, works by teaching its adherents to be in the present and aware of the present moment and its effect on the body. Depending on the needs of the individual client, the practitioner can develop strategies and mindfulness techniques to reduce stress, for example, or to enhance mental preparedness before a game or sporting event.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindfulness is about being present in the moment and having awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings.
- A brief body scan, meditation, or visualization can help a client become present in the moment before the session begins.
- During the session, mindfulness techniques can be used to regulate emotional arousal and increase self-awareness.
“Even with these guidelines, all coaches have their unique niche, focus, and approach while working with their respective clients which helps individualize the client experience.”
Read more: https://blog.nasm.org/mindfulness-and-wellness-coaching
