Zone Mind, Zone Body: How to breakthrough to new levels of fitness and performance - by doing less! [Paperback]

I bought this book initially as I am interested in the effect of zone, but soon I found that there were plenty of fresh ideas for myself and even for my field of expertise as a music teacher. I believe this book is for everyone, as it teaches plenty of practical things of how to achieve more in life with a thoughful approach to the tasks. It is a rare example of a great deal of practical knowledge and deep theoretical understanding of the problems.

The power in this book is that it helps you see what you're doing that's holding you back - and then frees you to achieve far greater results. As the title suggests, it not only looks at your physical performance but at what's going on in your mind. Roy Palmer helps you take a big leap forward, not by being better at what you already do, but by noticing what it is you could do differently. It's powerful! It helps you in sport and fitness, and also in many other areas of life and work. The mind techniques that Roy explores will even help you achieve more focus when you're sitting at your desk, and will show you how to take a better approach to ANY task that might seem overwhelming. This book will keep you `in the moment' and help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Roy Palmer's, Zone Mind, Zone Body presents a unique examination of the link between thought and movement. Written with the casual and the competitive athlete in mind, Palmer demonstrates that working harder is not working smarter when it comes to training. In clear, concise language, Zone Mind, Zone Body instructs how to find "The Zone" of peak athletic performance purposefully rather than by haphazard accident. Based on the most current research and years of practical experience in the field with world class athletes, Palmer has created a work that presents his self-awareness techniques in a manner that is easy to read and even easier to implement .
Beginning with basic exercise theory and quickly moving past the fundamental training philosophies of old, the author captures the reader with vignettes of famous athletes and their accomplishments while in "The Zone". Most exercise physiology books feel like treks through a college anatomy and physiology course, it is not often that a book comes along that is free of technical terms yet still communicates to the reader the science and theory like Zone Mind, Zone Body does. Palmer does an excellent job of analyzing what is "The Zone" and how the average athlete strives to get in it. Through observation, experimentation, and practice, Palmer's techniques will help you reach "The Zone" more often. His time proven techniques are a boon for those who have reached a training plateau or are plagued by poor form, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation. Zone Mind, Zone Body provides the reader with a method to reflect on motives, attitudes, and techniques so you can get out of whatever training slump you are currently in and move on to a more confident level of performance.
Zone Mind, Zone Body promotes taking responsibility for your training and developing abilities through your own deliberate efforts. Palmer believes that training is part of your personal development and as such should be approached with the same calculated efforts one puts into training for one's intellectual pursuits. Similar to cognitive skills development, athletic skills development requires both confidence and a performance consistency based on continued improvement and learning. According to Palmer, "through mindful practice and attention to detail anyone can reach the Zone". Useful, interesting, and instructive, Zone Mind, Zone Body is a practical and complete how-to manual to develop focus and self-awareness.