A FORMER karate champion has set up a brain training club.
Mervyn Etienne, who lives in Harlesden, is inviting children to take part in Mind Clubs, particularly those diagnosed with attention disorders, depression or anxiety.
The former European champion and world silver medallist said: “When you are playing sport, for example taking a penalty, you need to be calm and not be using too much energy by overthinking.
“When you are trained to have control over these states you are able to focus, do better at school, see a reduction in stress and even a decrease in medication for conditions such as anxiety.”
Mr Etienne founded the Mind Training Company with business partner Michael Harris. They are trialling the programme with five to 16-year-olds for The People’s Project at The Unity Centre until tomorrow (Friday).
Participants are trained to control their emotions by getting their brains into a calm and meditative state, commonly known in sports jargon as ‘the zone’. Younger children play meditation computer games, in which tasks are achieved by concentration and clearing the mind by focusing on that specific task.
Mind Clubs will be officially launched in Brent in September. For more information, go to www.bioperformance.co.uk or email info@themindtrainingcompany.com.
