This article will explain some of the
mental benefits that makiwara training can have, way beyond toughening
up your hands. Read on to find out how to "toughen up" your mind as
well.
As you may already know, a makiwara is a forging or striking post that
Okinawan karate practitioners used to toughen their fists to feel like
a rock when striking an opponent.
For the at-home martial arts practitioner, you can easily create your
own makiwara that you will give you incredible punching power. However,
the benefits of the makiwara go beyond just the physical. You will also
learn to toughen up your mind.
By focusing on the makiwara board, you will develop a laser-like
approach to engaging in something for short periods of time. Just like
you need to instantly be ready to engage an opponent, you can gain that
same "readiness" in other aspects of you life by using makiwara.
Here are 3 ways that you can use a makiwara board to improve your
mental focus:
1. Using a makiwara hurts. By sticking with the training and learning
to focus the pain outside of your mind, this can be an incredible gift
to give yourself that will be useful for all kinds of painful
situations.
2. Focusing on the makiwara board. This intense focus, almost to the
level of mediation, removes outside distractions and if practiced
enough can be used in many facets of your life.
3. By toughening your fists to have the punching power of a freight
train you will gain mental confidence, which will help the way you
carry yourself in society. The people that look weak are the people
that get picked on and if you look like you have confidence, you may
never need to use your iron fists..
