When a parent inquires about mental training for their skater, they often ask,
“how many sessions will my skater require? How long until we start to notice improvements in his/her mindset and therefore, experience the benefits on the ice?”
Although this depends greatly on how quickly the skater “buys in” and how strongly he/she commits to the work, there is a standard requirement for change.
Learning and applying mental techniques regularly to form new habits, ultimately leading to positive behavior change and results on the ice is more like a marathon than a sprint. Like any muscle in the body, the mind requires consistent flexing to strengthen.
For the last 2.5 years I have offered 8 week coaching programs with the option to renew and what I have found is that the majority of the skaters I work with renew at least once. Many renew multiple times and there are some skaters who I have been working with for over a year. I believe that a level of commitment is required to get the best results and so I have decided to increase the Mind-Body Performance Coaching Program from 8 weeks (2 months) to 24 weeks (6 months).
I can’t wait to continue to teach committed skaters how to use their mind to improve their performance on the ice! After all, it is about the journey, not the destination right?