Sports Psychology – it’s all about mind power

The most powerful thing we have is our mind. It is the central station, control tower, thought processor and command creator all in one. Everything that you are, perceive and believe is because of your mind. This is not a new concept, and for any sportsperson, the undeniable truth is evident: Mind power determines how well you perform.

Stepping into the lives of sports people, you will understand why their performance in the field is of such importance. Even the slightest improvement is worth pulling out all the stops in the hopes of achieving. You will find in most cases than not, their entire life’s work is riding on the level at which they perform, and is the brutal difference between being average and good, being good and being excellent, being an amateur or being a professional.

Often, clients who deal in sports, search holistic therapies for a cure. They come because of muscle pain, injuries that are holding them back, general wellness, motivational issues, need for direction and general recuperation. Their cases prove to be that much more intense than the average person because sports men and women pour their whole selves into their training. Operating regularly at full capacity and pushing themselves further than what their bodies can handle can leave them with burn-out. This vulnerability can unfortunately lead them into a deep depression which quickly becomes a vicious circle.

As therapists, our job is to help our clients find balance through holistic practices. This means being attentive to the state of their mind, body and spirit, taking into account lifestyle habits and external pressures. All of these things are connected, and usually, when you help one problem, it has a knock-on effect to any others.

What we offer

Our Sports Psychology & Dynamics Course, delves into the study of how psychology influences sports, athletic performance and physical activity. It is a suitable qualification for both sports people and those who wish to work as sports counsellors. It is also a handy add-on for any holistic therapist wanting to expand their client base in a specialised field.

The knowledge is essential to effectively work alongside professional athletes and coaches to improve performance and increase motivation within an individual or team. Similarly, other professionals utilise exercise and sports knowledge to enhance their own lives and the lives of those around them. In every applicable case, this course will enable you to improve people’s well-being throughout their entire lifespan.

A structure of 8 lessons, downloadable as a PDF, provides an in-depth introduction to the theory behind mind power and sport. The course incorporates many demonstrated principles including:

• self-motivation
• positive belief strategies
• developing the ‘winner’ attitude
• stress control
• visualisation and effective strategies

With subjects covering:



• consciousness & success consciousness
• mind power
• winning mindset
• personal improvement & potential strength
• dynamic tension
• external forces
• intrinsic motivation & external motivation
• inspiration
• mind over matter
• mind technology
• attitudes and the connection between mind and heart

The purpose of this course is to break the concepts into practical, direct-action and personal improvement programmes to greatly enhance an athlete’s performance in their chosen field.

More on Zerlina Mastin (course author) and author of ‘Nutrition for Dancers’

Zerlina (BSc, MSc) has 8 years experience working within the sporting industry, and has worked with a number of dance and sporting organisations, including Marylebone Physio, Reebok Sports Club, London Studio Centre and Dance UK.

Zerlina has worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help amateur and professional dancers and athletes improve their performance through a combination of dietary intervention and coaching. She also advises clients on ways to manage the psychological/physiological consequences of competitions and its associated stress.