Mind/body balance key to athletic achievement
In “Sporting Body Sporting
Mind,” John Syer and
Christopher Connolly col
laborate their findings on the
importance of mental health in
physical fitness. This motiva
tional handbook is directed at
not only the individual athlete
but also the team and coach.
Whether one’s sport is
downhill ski racing,
the book has
something to offer. The
authors attempt to get
the reader attuned to
his or her own body,
thoughts and feelings.
They also stress the
significance of other
people and athletic
equipment on overall
performance.
The organization of
“Sporting Body Spor-,
ting Mind,” is evident
in the lengthy, detailed
table of contents that
Emerald file photo
Training the mind and soul is a key
part of preparing for athletic competi
tion.
emphasizes educating the
physical self through four main
processes: learning, training,
maintenance and change. Syer
and Connolly cover the techni
ques thoroughly and offer step
by-step mental and physical ex
cercises throughout the book.
Review
Anecdotal examples are given
in a multitude of sports. The
strength in the book lies in the
authors’ ability to make the
points universal to all sports at
all levels. Therefore, it offers
advice to the serious marathon
runner, the beginning biker and
the intramural rugby team
member.
The authors dedicate
themselves to the psychological
aspects of training and com
peting. According to “Sporting
Body Sporting Mind,’’
cultivating a positive self-image
requires more than simply
quoting Muhammad Ali’s
famous line “1 am the greatest.”
It takes mental agility and deter
mination. “A positive self
image is one of the most impor
tant and yet vulnerable assets
you can possess.”
John Syer concludes that
competition can do one of two
things; first, it can help people
discover their potential and
secondly, it can push them to
reach some society-imposed
standard.
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ThrouKh a mixture of fact and
advice, “Sporting Body Sport
ing Mind” shows the need for a
harmonic body-mind relation
ship and gives the athlete alter
native ways to achieve success
in his or her desired sport.
By Robin Joannides
300 EMU • 686-5511
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