Sport Hypnosis
Have you ever been in the Zone?
Think back to a time when you were performing at your very best. Everything seemed to flow and you felt in total control. Now try to recall your focus of attention. Most likely you were totally absorbed in the action and not aware of anything else. This state of total absorption in the task accompanied with a pleasant sense of mastery has several names including the Optimal Performance Zone, the Flow State, or the Ideal Performance State.
[return to top]How does Sport Hypnosis help you get into your Optimal Performance Zone?
Hypnosis is a unique state of mental functioning in which your field of attention narrows and becomes more intensified as you disconnect from other input. Research using functional MRI's during hypnosis has found that the brain actually processes information differently and uses capacities that are not available during conscious states. In this way hypnosis allows the brain to block out any input that is not directly related to performing the task at hand. A study with elite athletes conducted in 2005 found that the thoughts and feelings associated with being in the Zone are increased during hypnosis.
[return to top]What evidence is there that Sport Hypnosis can help improve my performance?
In the 1980's research on Sport Hypnosis with athletes consistently showed it helpful in increasing strength and endurance. More recent studies have shown clear evidence that Sport Hypnosis has improved athletic performance across a wide range of sports including baseball, golf putting, cycling, cricket, and basketball. The list of studies showing Sport Hypnosis to be helpful in improving performance continues to grow with the availability of more advanced technology to observe brain functioning in athletes while using hypnosis.
[return to top]What Style of Hypnosis is used in the Mind Plus Muscle Programs?
All Mind Plus Muscle programs utilize Ericksonian Hypnosis which is also called Indirect Hypnosis. This is different from older forms of hypnosis which would give you hypnotic commands. Instead Ericksonian Hypnosis uses gentle suggestions which allow you to choose your own pathways into the unconscious in a comfortable and non-challenging manner. In this way Indirect Hypnosis is very respectful of your personal needs and relies on your innate intelligence and powerful intuitive wisdom to creatively overcome obstacles to your success.
[return to top]What type of Sport Hypnosis programs does Mind Plus Muscle offer?
There are two types of Sport Hypnosis programs:
[return to top]What the experts are saying:
From a review of the Mental Training Room in The Sport Psychologist, 1994, 8, 324-326
"By achieving a deeply relaxed state through self-hypnosis and by intensifying this trance with floating imagery, appropriate conditions are created for direct acceptance of conscious thoughts into the unconscious mind. Dr. Bowman explains this concept, how to achieve it, and that it prolongs efforts and creates effective strategies."
~Reviewed by Bill Allyson
Elite Performance Enhancement