Newsletter Newsletter 2/2017 Mastering our Minds

In 2016 AETF Board member Philip Lear from England wrote the attached thesis for his 7th Degree promotion that took place during the IIC in Paris. This thesis is a subject that he has worked on for the last year and a half and through this work he has helped many people to deal with negative situations and emotions that have happened or are happening to them, control their angry reactions to external events and the effects of comments made to them by others.

As well as open discussion he has gone through visualisation techniques whilst using mindfulness and awareness methods to help people change peoples lives and see a different side to their world. He has also guided people to meditate which has been scientifically proven to significantly change our attitudes and can also assist in cases of depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), attention regulation, emotional regulation, low self esteem, stress, addiction as well as illness.

The thesis is in English, however it has also been translated into 4 different languages: Spanish, Dutch, Italian and Russian (with thanks to Master Lazaros Tsilfidis, Mr Rory de Vries, Mrs Tiziana Mimmocchi Bos and Mr Nathan Robinson) and discusses the possibilities of introducing mindfulness into children’s Taekwon-Do classes.

In a September 2016 Mindset Course hosted by Master Lear, two members from the England National Team took part, both Isabel Brider and Anikó Herédi. As competitors they both understood the importance of mental preparation. One month later at the World Cup in Hungary against all the odds they were Joint World Cup Snr Female Overall Champions with the same number of medals at the largest Taekwon-Do event in history.

Master Philip Lear runs courses with the man who introduced him to mindfulness Mr Stephen Aish and has a course coming up on 29th April in England not far from Gatwick airport, in the South East of England. This will be the fourth course in a year where many Taekwon-Do practitioners have taken part and benefited greatly and his last course that will take place in 2017.

For more information about the mindset course in England on 29th April, just email Master Philip Lear at vision.tkd@sky.com. Please see some testimonials below about the courses that have been held by some well known TKD people.

“I participated at a mindset seminar held in England and organized by well known Taekwon-Do instructor Philip Lear. The seminar was conducted by Stephen Aish and I like to inform you that such a kind of seminar should be attended by everybody as it gives you a different and more positive look about our daily life. Mr. Aish is a great and very competent teacher and a pleasure to listen to so much knowledge. If you able one day .... GO!!”

GM Bos – Italy – ITF Director

“This is a fabulous course, you learn so much that one seminar wasn’t enough for me.  Indeed I will be booking onto another one in the very near future.  The ideas and exercises that Stephen Aish provides are challenging but inspirational.  I defy anyone not to get something out of the course which won’t have a major effect on your life.  I’m no spring chicken (nearly 66) and I only wish that I had met Stephen ages ago it would have allowed me to have a much better perspective on life.  You can change your mindset, I will say no more because that would spoil the seminar.  I have only one piece of advice “Book onto the course and start changing your life for the better.”  I’m not saying that life has suddenly become a bed of roses since the course but has certainly improved the way I look at life’s big and little challenges.  I will sign off with Scaramouche Fandango!!- you will have to go on the course to appreciate this!!”

Dr Jeff Brider– ITF International Umpire

“I first had couple of sessions with Master Philip Lear to help me overcome some blocks from my childhood in order to do better at competitions and overall in my life. And afterwards as it was proved to be a very useful tool ' your own mind' I signed up to Mr Aish's Mindset course as soon as I could. My friend and I left with useful skills to look at problems from a better angle so to say, the importance of letting go, surrounding ourselves with people who encourage and build us etc. I'm hoping to help more and more people from my circles so they can meet Stephen too. I am planning on bringing this Mindset course to work as well so colleagues and clients would equally benefit from such an amazing life- changing course. Thank you.”

Anikó Herédi – England Team – 2016 Snr Female World Cup Power Test Champion, Silver in +75Kgs Sparring. Joint Overall Snr Female Athlete in World Cup Hungary 2016

“Taking part in the mindset course really opened my eyes to how important your mental state and mindset is, not only within TKD but in all aspects of life. The explanation of the course was great with a comfortable atmosphere and the different techniques taught to us are so helpful. I have used them in preparation for competitions and they have been really beneficial by enhancing my mental toughness. Through the course I learnt a lot about myself and people around me, that I control my own mindset and things/people will only upset me if I allow them to.”

Isobel Brider– England Team – 2016 Snr Female World Cup 3rd Degree Pattern Champion, Silver in +50Kgs Sparring. Joint Overall Snr Female Athlete in World Cup Hungary 2016

“I attended my first Mindset course led by Steven Aish and organised by Master Lear around a year ago. The course was impactful and thought provoking. It was a powerful experience that came at the right time for me and marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life story. Like most of us, I had past experiences and memories, which were disturbing my peace. Even more so, I had worries and anxiety about what the future holds. The most enlightening realisation after the course, was that though these thoughts were playing mostly in the background of my mind at a subconscious level, they were robbing me of my peace and of my 'now' and that the present moment is where real life is actually taking place. Whilst, it is an ongoing process this course has set me on a path where happiness, fulfilment and peace are not the end destination but instead are more like traveling companions on my life journey. Of course, obstacles and triggers do pop up on the way from time to time, and they can present distractions. However, I can honestly say that when reminded about the teachings of Mindset, it gives you the tools to get back on track relatively quickly and avoid derailment. Another realisation that struck a cord with me was around the unquestionable programming power of thoughts and the language we use and hear everyday and how these can make or break you. I have attended the course twice already and will do so again. I can with clear conscience recommend it to absolutely everyone. I have witnessed some remarkable positive changes in people's mindset as a result and I guarantee that everyone will take something away from it, which will be a building block towards a happier and more peaceful life in the present moment.”

"Live real life, not filled of the 'before' and 'after'
Allow the 'now' to make your being whole".

Lili Cottrell – Ex ITF England Press Officer

Kind regards
Master P Lear