Why meditation works

[IMST]

When you're more relaxed you can move faster too, which helps with my foil fencing, among other things.

Whenever I'm struggling athletically, I make an effort to force myself to relax. I don't see any woo aspects here, just a benefit to keeping opposing muscles from working against each other. Good/great athletes generally look totally relaxed when performing and if meditation is the method used to create that relaxation, go for it.

 

[arthwollipot]

When you're more relaxed you can move faster too, which helps with my foil fencing, among other things.

Tenseness is the enemy of anything where explosive movement is required. Fencing, boxing, martial arts, sprinting, you name it. One of the main things I have to remember when teaching newbies to use a sword is to relax.

There's a state of "relaxed readiness" where your muscles are not tense, but can still react suddenly. This is essential to the fencer and the sprinter alike.

 

[Phrost]

There's also a component of being singularly focused on accomplishing something that meditation can help with, especially in athletic endeavors.

Without any woo whatsoever.