Article: You'll need to be in the right space and mood in order to connect with your spirit guide. Create a quiet space by cutting out distractions (computers, phones, television, etc.). You can even hang a "do not disturb" sign on your door if you want to be alone. Dimming the lights, wearing comfortable clothes, and lighting incense or candles can also help. Once you have prepared your space and are sitting comfortably in an upright position, start by taking a few slow and deep "grounding breaths." This will increase your alertness and focus. You can use any of the various meditation techniques to relax and focus your mind and body. This will help you enter the right mental state to connect with your spirit guide. Try this simple mindfulness meditation exercise as a start to help relax and open your mind: Sit down in a comfortable position, such as on a pillow or mat. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, exhaling slowly each time. Turn your attention to your breathing cycle. Think and feel each time as you breathe in and out. If your attention wanders, just bring it back to focusing on your breathing. Keep your mind open. Don't stop to judge any thoughts that you have. When you feel that your mind has cleared and you are relaxed, you can try to connect to your spirit guide through visualization or other techniques. Try meditating for a minimum of 5-10 minutes at least once a day. Don't get frustrated if you can't connect with your spirit guide right away. The regular practice of meditation will help to open your mind, if you are patient. While you will connect with your spirit guide on a mental and spiritual plane, you may find that certain tangible objects help you reach it. Many believe that certain crystals hold spiritual powers, for instance. Likewise, you may also like to prepare for meeting your spirit guide by starting with a tarot reading. Connecting with your personal spirit guide can take time and practice. Often, it requires techniques that go beyond what you can learn from a book or self-study. If you are serious about connecting with your spirit guide, consider working face-to-face with a spiritual advisor. Spiritual advisors can take a variety of forms, depending on one's beliefs and practices. You may find help from a guru, priest, shaman, psychic, medium, or similar individuals. You can connect with a spiritual advisor in your area by asking for recommendations from friends or a spiritual center. You may also find some that advertise their services online or in print media.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Create the right environment. Breathe. Meditate. Try using aids. Consult a spiritual advisor.
Article: Practicing with another person is very different from developing your technique on your own or working on a punching bag. While many students may feel intimidated, though, it's important to remain calm and relaxed. The best way to prepare for a one-on-one sparring match is to focus on the basic moves and remember to keep up your guard against a counter-strike. The best times to hit an opponent are when they're punching at you, when they're not expecting it (by changing up your rhythm, for example), or when you're at an angle that would be difficult for your opponent to block. Remember to use your non-dominant hand to deliver a short, sharp jab. This sets up the bigger punch with your dominant hand, and it can also confuse or intimidate your opponent. Don't emphasize speed, as a fast punch often lacks the body strength behind it that a slower punch can deliver. Work on your form and on delivering the best, most powerful hits you can. There are many techniques within Muay Thai, and mastering them all would take many years. However, even as a beginner you may be able to incorporate some traditional techniques into your training, which you can then develop and build off of. Kao Dode (Jumping knee strike) - jump up on one leg, then use that leg's knee to strike your opponent with a direct knee hit. Kao Loi (Jumping/Flying knee strike) - take a step forward, begin jumping off of one leg as though you were going to use the knee or foot of that leg, then switch in mid-air to deliver a knee strike with the other leg. Kao Tone (Straight knee strike) - hit with the knee straight and upward, ideally in close proximity to your opponent. Kao Noi (Small knee strike) - when you're grappling with an opponent in close combat, use your knee to strike the upper thigh (but not the groin) of your opponent to wear him or her down. It can also be used to block a kick or knee strike from your opponent. In a real combat situation, you'll need to move fast and incorporate a lot of different moves very rapidly. Strength and form should come before speed, but as you advance you can work on becoming a more proficient fighter with faster response times. You should also think of your opponent as a walnut protected by a hard shell. You have to crack through the outside shell (with hits to your opponent's lets and arms) before you can get to the nut (which in this metaphor would mean a direct, close-proximity hit to the head or abdomen). Dodging a hit and counterattacking your opponent works well at the beginning of a match, but it can quickly tire you out. As you progress through the match, you'll want to spend less time moving around and focus your energy on blocking direct strikes from your opponent, then finding an opening in your opponent's stance. Keep moving forward as you spar with your opponent. This puts him or her on the defensive, which can also give you more momentum as you prepare to land a direct hit. Training on your own is a good start, and sparring with a friend or other workout partner is a good next step. If you're serious about becoming skilled in Muay Thai, though, you may want to work with a trainer who has an extensive background in martial arts. A trainer can help you find your own weaknesses/vulnerabilities, perfect your technique, and take your training to the next level. You can find Muay Thai trainers and gyms in your area by searching online or by checking a local phone book. Remember that becoming proficient in Muay Thai takes time, just like any other learned skill. Be patient, and if you decide to work with a trainer, follow his/her training advice on how to improve your stance, technique, and form.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Learn how to spar with an opponent. Practice some Muay Thai techniques. Combine the various moves to wear down an opponent. Consider working with a professional.