Nancy Koran - Sports Book - The Victory Dance

The Victory Dance: How to Motivate Yourself in Sports and Life

"Everyone needs the right motivation. Whether you're into professional sports or into sports for fun and exercise like me, Nancy's technique will help you make the important 'Mind Body' connection that is necessary to feel positive and succeed in every area of your life."

Daisy Fuentes

Here is a sneak preview from Nancy’s upcoming sport book scheduled to debut in 2008:

When I am teaching a new skill or stroke to my tennis clients and hear the dreaded words “I can’t,” I know they need help with more than their technique. I have to guide them toward the mindset that says “I can.”

Here is a tip from the chapter Positive Mind Games for Success:

You can do this for yourself. The moment you are aware that you are thinking about the future in a pessimistic way, you need to work on reframing that negative into a positive. Instead of saying, “Idiot—you’re blowing it!” as you take a deep breath and blow the air out, imagine blowing out the frustration and problem. Now follow this by saying, “Let’s go—you can do this!” It may sound simplistic, but speaking positively to yourself will make you feel better.

Also practice using physical gestures, as well as quick mental pictures, to "let go of" or "bring in" what you want. If you want to let go of worry, frustration or anger, picture seeing this emotion in a balloon, and then picture letting it go. Actually feel your hand open up and release the imaginary string. As you see the balloon go up in the air, breathe a sign of relief that the negative thought and feeling are now gone. When you say “come on”, practice seeing a trophy or a flash of the positive result you want. "Come on," can also be incorporated with moving your feet in place. These physical gestures and mental images will help you in the moment, as well as stimulate your subconscious in a powerful way in the language it best understands, through pictures.

A tip from the chapter Breathing Techniques That Will Improve Your Game:

Proper breath control is at the core of every physical endeavor: singing, acting, dancing, and certainly all sports. It is the central element of disciplines such as yoga, meditation and the martial arts.

Controlled breathing techniques also relax you and help you achieve a balanced outlook, which in turn allows you to take control of your thoughts and emotions. Think of the expression, “Take a few deep breaths and calm down.”

The rhythm of your breath has an impact that is evident in everyday life situations. When people are uncomfortable, they hold the regular flow of their breath, whereas a couple of measured deep breaths would help put them at ease. Breathing influences the way people relate to each other. Someone who “talks and talks, without stopping to take a breath,” creates a rhythm so off-putting that it alienates the listener. Saying the exact same thing with a break here and there for a full breath (not to mention the chance for an occasional response) allows for a normal flow of conversation and draws the listener in. Even laughter is about breath. A good laugh diffuses a tense situation because it literally changes your breathing pattern from shallow to deep.

In my first sport book, The Zen of Tennis: A Winning Way of Life , I talk about incorporating your breath into your stroke to perfect your rhythm on the court. It’s an idea that applies to every sport. A few years ago, I was fascinated to hear a renowned baseball coach say that he teaches breathing techniques to help his players steal bases: the breathing actually helps prepare the runner and synchronizes his action.

In fact, good breathing techniques and good posture—which allows deep breathing directly from the diaphragm—are of benefit to absolutely everyone.

On the playing field and off, become aware of your breath, and get into the habit of using breathing patterns to help you.

Read more about breathing and other exciting tips and unique techniques in:

The Victory Dance:
How to Motivate Yourself in Sports and Life

Available in 2008 at a bookstore near you!