Sports Hypnotherapy Courses
Imagery and self-hypnosis are gaining popularity as a method for improved performance in sports stars and athletes. This is a therapy that is advocated by Dr. Costas Karageorghis, a well-known sports psychologist.
What is imagery?
Mental imagery is the visualization of experiences using information that is stored in our subconscious. Whilst dreaming can be considered an unstructured form of imagery, structured imagery is where the subject can use their imagination to purposefully recreate specific images.
How imagery works
There has been researching that has shown that visualization of muscle movement can result in the electrical activity closely resembling that seen in actual muscle movement. By using imagery we are able to target specific muscles, essentially priming them for physical activity. This is especially useful during times when, for whatever reason, the subject is unable to train as normal. Some evidence suggests that using imagery in this way can actually improve rehabilitation and recovery rates amongst individuals.
What sort of imagery to use is very much dependent on the desired outcome for the subject. Various research has suggested that for learning or retaining particular sporting skills, it is best to use an external perspective i.e. that of a spectator. In contrast, using an internal perspective such as muscle priming is likely to be the most effective way to psych yourself up for an event,
Imagery can be used in combination with other therapies and some research shows that it is considerably more effective than using it alone. One example is music, where research has shown that combining both imageries and listening to certain types of music can enhance performance.
What is self-hypnosis?
Self-hypnosis is a way of inducing a state of increased relaxation and awareness without any external assistance. If it is achieved correctly it will provide the ideal state of mind in which to practice imagery. It has been suggested that the effects of imagery can be even more potent when practiced in a state induced by self-hypnosis.
Practical uses of imagery for sports hypnotherapy
Imagery is renowned for being an effective way to learn a skill, replacing traditional verbal or technical explanations. Examples of this within the sport are:
- Javelin throwing
- Effective cycling action
- Aiming in basketball
Another technique that may be of use is the visualization of your sporting hero. By imagining them in action and putting yourself in their shoes, you can explore the sensations they will be experiencing.
Imagery is also an excellent way of getting yourself prepared for a sporting event. It can boost your motivation and energy levels and psych you up.
- Ensure you are completely relaxed, then try and think back to the start of a previous successful performance, channeling how you felt at that time.
- Think back to the end of that successful performance, concentrating on how it felt both physically and mentally, and try and think of one word to describe it.
- You can then use that word either in training or when preparing for an event to invoke the same feeling.
Writing down your emotions and physical feelings after a particularly positive training session or event will be useful, as you can then apply them to both your imagery sessions and future situations where you require that ‘psyched up’ feeling.
Practical uses of self-hypnosis
Hypnosis has been used in sport for a long period of time, although it has previously been referred to as mental or autogenic training. In his book Hypnosport, Les Cunningham has stated that during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics the Russian team took a reported 11 hypnotists with them! Unfortunately, as a rather taboo subject, many great sporting champions did not speak out about the benefits that sports hypnosis gave them. Even today athletes use applied sports psychology which includes visualization and relaxation techniques for performance boosting.
Conclusion
Self-hypnosis can improve the efficiency of imagery techniques. There are numerous self-hypnosis relaxation scripts online that you can either have someone read to you or that you can record yourself reading and then playback. There is no limit to the benefits that imagery and self-hypnosis can bring you.
There is so much more to learn about the science of Sports Hypnosis. For further insight into this topic and many more, check out our tailored packages on our Liverpool Hypnosis Training Course to see which one will best suit you.
