WARRIOR MINDSET

NEVER GIVE UP.   NEVER QUIT.   KAIZEN.

Beginner’s Mind

Beginner’s Mind

by | Jul 6, 2020 | Concepts, Inspiration

Shoshin

The moment that you think you’ve made it is the moment you stop learning.

In Zen Buddhism there is a word “Shoshin” which means “beginner’s mind.” This is a state when we have a sense of openness and eagerness to taking in new things. Removing any sense of preconception or notion that you already know something about the subject you are studying — even when you reach an advanced level.

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”

— Shunryu Suzuki

If you bring a beginner’s mindset to something you have a higher chance of taking it in authentically. The Greek philosopher Epictetus is quoted as saying; “For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.” The Greek philosophers felt EGO was what stood in the way of true knowledge.

The beginner’s mind is a core aspect to the Zen mindset. Which involves the acceptance of “what is” and not allowing yourself to judge based on emotions or having a gut reaction to something. The way to true change is to accept yourself and world for what it is. This is true in both Zen practice and Stoic practice. We should strive to look within ourselves with a sense of openness and acceptance as opposed to judging what we are or are trying to become.

This dichotomy is difficult to wrap your head around. On one hand you need to not be happy with where you personally in life to strive to improve, but on the other hand you should not judge yourself too harshly yet at the same time make actual improvements. The question then is; is removing judgement actually an act of improvement in itself.

I would say yes, since judgement often holds us back both externally and more importantly internally. It isn’t enough to simply be non-judgement of who we are or where we are in life but we need to simply accept it for what it is first.

A good example of this is when I was recently working with a Karate student, this person has an advanced level of training in a similar style. As we began working the Kata (A floor exercise of Karate movements fighting one or more imaginary attackers.) lesson I noticed he was struggling to perform the techniques in the way I was demonstrating. His previous knowledge that had been ingrained in him was preventing absorbing the things I was teaching. It wasn’t on purpose, it was ‘muscle memory’ of course, but the result was a ‘full cup’.

This reference to a ‘full cup’ is from reference to a classic Zen story about having a beginner’s mind which goes:

Once, a long time ago, there was a wise Zen master. People from far and near would seek his counsel and ask for his wisdom. Many would come and ask him to teach them, enlighten them in the way of Zen. He seldom turned any away.

One day an important man, a man used to command and obedience came to visit the master. “I have come today to ask you to teach me about Zen. Open my mind to enlightenment.” The tone of the important man’s voice was one used to getting his own way.

The Zen master smiled and said that they should discuss the matter over a cup of tea. When the tea was served the master poured his visitor a cup. He poured and he poured and the tea rose to the rim and began to spill over the table and finally onto the robes of the wealthy man. Finally the visitor shouted, “Enough. You are spilling the tea all over. Can’t you see the cup is full?”

The master stopped pouring and smiled at his guest. “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”

07052020

06292020

by | Jun 29, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

‘Protect Ya Neck’ Anti-Tech Neck Workout
3x Rounds
10x Nod Chin To Chest
10x Rotations Left
10x Rotations Right
10x Left Ear to Shoulder
10x Right Ear to Shoulder

*You will probably be sore tomorrow from this… stop staring down at your phone all day!

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

“Deck of Cards”
Spades – Air Squats
Clubs – Push-ups
Hearts – Sit-Ups
Diamonds – Burpees

**Pull each card out of a shuffled deck, each # of the card matching the suit is the amount of reps you do. Pull one last card, # of that card is the amount of rounds you do. Get after it…

*Comment with questions, bonus points if you share a “DONE” or post workout selfie!

07052020

06252020

by | Jun 25, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

Tabata
(16x Rounds :20 Work with :10 Rest)
Jumping Jacks
Plank

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

8:00 AMRAP
1-3-5-7-9-12… etc. Pull-ups / Bent Over Row (Barbell or 2xKB/DBs)
2-6-10-14-18… etc. Push-ups
3-9-15-21-27… etc. Air Squats

Rest 5:00

8:00 AMRAP
8x 1xDB Alt Snatch
4x Pistols Alt
2x Handstand Push-ups or Deck-to-Handstand or :10s Handstand Hold

BODYWEIGHT

8:00 AMRAP
1-3-5-7-9-12… etc. Push-ups
2-6-10-14-18… etc. V-ups
3-9-15-21-27… etc. Air Squats

Rest 5:00

8:00 AMRAP
4x Burpees
4x Pistols Alt (or 2x Air Squats)
2x Handstand Push-ups or Deck-to-Handstand or :10s Handstand Hold

07052020

06242020

by | Jun 24, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

2x Rounds
1:00 Plank
10x Sit-ups
15x Toe-Touches

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

14:00 EMOM
10x Air Squats + 8x DB Alt Snatch

3:00 AMRAP
Max 1xDB Alt Devil Press

12:00 EMOM
Min 1: Max Air Squats (set the pace and repeat # each round)
Min 2: 12x Burpees
Min 3: 16x Alt Leg V-Ups

3:00 AMRAP
Max 1xDB Alt Devil Press

BODYWEIGHT

14:00 EMOM
10x Air Squats + 5x Push-ups

3:00 AMRAP
Max Burpees

12:00 EMOM
Min 1: Max Air Squats (set the pace and repeat # each round)
Min 2: 10x Push-ups
Min 3: 16x Alt Leg V-Ups

3:00 AMRAP
Max Burpees

07052020

06222020

by | Jun 22, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

12:00 Chipper
50x Double Unders (3:1 Singles)
40x RKBS 55#/35#
30x Burpees
20x Box Jumps
10x Pull-ups

BODYWEIGHT
12:00 Chipper
50x Jumping Jacks
40x Air Squats
30x Burpees
20x Box Jumps (or jump over an object)
10x Push-ups w/10 second hold at top

FINISHER: ABS ATTACK

5×10 Slam Ball + Burpee
Rest 30sec between sets

2x 1:00 Single Arm Weighted Plank (each arm)
Rest 1:00 between sets

3×12 v-ups
Rest as needed between

07052020

06172020

by | Jun 17, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

3x Rounds
5x Down Dog Push-ups
10x Air Squats
15x High Knees

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

“DEATHSTALKER” (For Time)

Buy-In:
5x Devil Presses (2xAHAP)
30x Double-Unders

Directly into, 4x Rounds of:
20x Sit-Ups
15x Double Dumbbell Deadlifts (2xAHAP)

Cash-Out:
5x Devil Presses (2xAHAP)
20x Dumbbell Rows (2xAHAP)
800 Meter Run

BODYWEIGHT (For Time)

Buy-In:
8x Burpees
30x Air Squats

Directly into, 4x Rounds of:
20x Sit-Ups
40x Jump Squats

Cash-Out:
8x Burpees
20x Hand Release Push-ups
800 Meter Run

07052020

06162020

by | Jun 16, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

1:00 Plank
10x Sit-ups
15x Toe-Touches
1:00 Wall Sit

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

3x Rounds (30:00 CAP)
10x Goblet Squats AHAP#
10x Spiderman Push-ups
20x Jump Squats
20x DB Snatches or KB Clean & Jerks AHAP#
25x Hollow Body Rocks

BODYWEIGHT
3x Rounds (30:00 CAP)
20x Air Squats
10x Spiderman Push-ups
10x Jump Squats
20x Skaters (side-to-side)
25x Hollow Body Rocks

07052020

06122020

by | Jun 12, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

10x Air Squats
10x Lunges
6x Runner Stretch
20x Toe Touches

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

3x Rounds:
20x Deadlift 135#/95#
20x Pushups
30x Sit-Ups
40x Lunges
30x Sit-Ups
20x Pushups
20x DB Bent Over Row (alt)

Rest 3:00 between rounds

FINISHER
3×10 V-ups
2×1:00 second Single Leg Plank

07052020

06112020

by | Jun 11, 2020 | WF-WODS

WARMUP

Tabata
(8x Rounds :20 Work with :10 Rest)
Air Squats
Plank

Get ~5:00 of Mobility

Examples: https://warriormindset.us/mobility-recovery/ 

WORKOUT

12:00 EMOM
3-3-2-2-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-3
Clean & Jerk @ 75% Push-Press

Rest 5:00

10x Rounds (:20 work :40 Rest)
DB/KB Alt Clean & Jerk AHAP#

Rest 5:00

20:00 EMOM
Min 1: 10x Thruster 75#/55# (light-ish)
Min 2: 200m Run
Min 3: Rest