USPTA tennis pro and UCLA-trained neuroscientist deliver a proven formula for effortless athletic success
Don't try to sell top tennis coach Lawrence Eyre on the wisdom of "no pain, no gain." That principle is obsolete, he says. It ignores well-established scientific findings about the human brain and physiology. "Don't beat the body into submission; instead, harness the body's inner intelligence to promote peak performance," Eyre says, adding, "It works better to train without strain."
Exotic philosophy? Hardly. More like the cutting edge of sports training. And Eyre has the credentials to back it up. A Level 1 USPTA teaching pro, Eyre has 16 high school state championships in the past 12 years to his coaching credit, including back-to-back state triple crowns. He was Iowa Tennis Association Coach of the Year in 2000, featured in Sports Illustrated in 2001, and now highlighted in the April 2003 issue of Tennis Magazine.
Eyre has recently joined forces with UCLA-trained neuroscientist Alarik Arenander, Ph.D., Director of Iowa's Brain Research Institute, to promote "Total Brain Tennis for Peak Performance." The two are planning a national tour that includes speaking at high school and college coaches' clinics, tennis camps, resorts, tennis clubs, sports-science seminars, and USPTA-USPTR conventions.
Total brain functioning is the physiological basis for experiencing the Zone, says Arenander. The goal of Total Brain Tennis is to provide a new paradigm for tennis training that emphasizes 'outside-the-box'-but incredibly successful-training principles, such as "invest in rest for tennis success." Eyre adds that Total Brain Tennis offers balanced on- and off-court training tailored to an athlete's individual "body type" and proven techniques for developing total brain functioning. Yoga postures, pre- and post-match routines, and individualized diets and workouts are also employed to promote peak performance.
"Silence is the key to success in tennis. Surprisingly, over 70% of a tennis match is the silent time between points, games, and sets. This valuable time is grossly underutilized." Eyre says. "Total Brain Tennis provides simple, powerful techniques to regain and maintain physiological and emotional balance during all the silent transitions within a match. Skilful use of these silent 'gaps' gives players the best possible chance to perform at peak levels."
The Eyre-Arenander connection goes back over 30 years. Both men love sports. Both share an interest in the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique and its documented ability to tap full mind-body potential. Both men teach at an accredited research university emphasizing meditation and mind-body balance - Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. Eyre, a Yale graduate, teaches social studies and coaches tennis at the university high school, while Arenander directs the university's Brain Research Institute. Both enjoy their pioneering role in raising sports training to the highest level.
"Peak performance depends primarily upon total brain functioning-the coherent, orderly expression of one's full potential," Arenander says. "Total Brain Tennis offers practical techniques that easily and naturally unlock this hidden potential. With this experience, all tennis players can enjoy playing and staying in the Zone."
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