By Darren Hiller

Many top athletes use various mental training techniques to achieve peak performance. It is well documented that imagery or visualization improves sports performance. Mental Rehearsal is a technique where an athlete vividly imagines or thinks about themselves successfully achieving their goal while competing in their sport.

Mental rehearsal steps:

1. Determine your goal
Before you begin, write down your goal. Specifically, how you would like to play or perform in your chosen sport. What obstacles will you have to overcome in order to reach your goal?

2. Center yourself
With your eyes closed, take a moment to center yourself by taking a few deep breaths while becoming aware of your breathing. Then become aware of the space around you, what sounds do you hear? What sensations you feel?

3. Start your visualization
Think about yourself successfully practicing your specific goal. This is where you will begin your mental movie (always practicing at the same speed and intensity as you play in your game or competition).

4. Create your success image
Now create a success image of you achieving peak performance while playing or competing in your sport. (A perfect golf swing or dismount, scoring a basket, goal, or touchdown, or having more mental toughness, confidence, or intensity).

5. Bring in all your senses
Enhance your mental movie by bringing in all your senses. (Where are you? What are you doing? What sounds do you hear? What emotions are you feeling? What do you smell and taste?).

6. Positive self talk
While you are experiencing your success image, give yourself positive affirmations throughout your mind movie. (I am a confident, poised, and determined basketball player).

7. Reward image
Complete your imagery by creating a reward image that represents you winning and enjoying your reward. Include celebrating your success with your team, coaches, family, and friends.

Repeat your five minute mental rehearsal at least two times each day. Rehearse yourself overcoming all obstacles, setbacks, and distractions, so you are playing or performing exactly the way you want. You may visualize yourself as if you were watching yourself on a movie screen, or as if you are watching from the perspective of looking out of your own eyes.

Darren Hiller is a Board Certified Hypnotist & EFT Practitioner with a private practice in Dallas, TX. www.darrenhiller.com www.mindbodytapping.com

Stop Smoking, Weight Loss, Sports Hypnosis, Pain Management, Fears & Phobias, Habits, Stress Management, Exercise Motivation, and Confidence.

Darren Hiller Hypnosis Dallas

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After reading an article about Dave Elman, I was prompted to read his book again. Actually, it is a book that you can keep on reading and still find another perspective on the art of hypnosis. If you have never read this before get it. If you already own it, then dust it off from your collection and read it again!

If you are not sure who Dave Elman is, I am tempted to say where have you been? Well, he definitely is one of the fathers of modern day hypnosis as we see it today. The book was originally published back in 1964 as "Findings in Hypnosis" and now renamed "Hypnotherapy".

Whilst you are reading "Hypnotherapy", you may find Dave Elman's work appears to be outdated, that is only in appearance. Beyond this, you will find another perspective for both novice and experienced hypnotists or hypnotherapists alike. Dare I say it may challenge some of the very beliefs you hold about hypnosis. I would definitely recommend Dave Elman's Hypnotherapy.


Enjoy reading.

Andy

Unfortunately, common myths and misunderstandings still exist about hypnosis. This article will help address and clear up some of these misconceptions to give a clearer understanding of what the process of hypnosis is and is not. Here are the 8 myths about hypnosis.

Myth #1 - Hypnosis Can Make You Do Things Against Your Will

In stage hypnosis shows, it may look like people are made to do things against their will, but this is really not the case at all. Participants in these shows are willing volunteers. In the hands of a professional stage hypnotist, participating in one of these shows can be interesting and fun. The same is true for professional hypnosis sessions for personal change. Because hypnosis is not mind control, you will never do anything against your will. Instead, in hypnosis you are moving toward your goal with the guidance of the hypnotist. And keep this in mind: all hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis.

Myth #2 - Hypnosis Does Not Exist; It is Not Real

This myth says there is no such thing as hypnosis, and people in hypnosis were "play-acting", in spite of powerful positive results many people were getting from the purposeful use of the trance state. In the last few years, scientists have carried out PET and MRI brain scans of subjects before and while in hypnosis. These studies show different areas of the brain are activated when an individual is hypnotized. The hypnotic state is actually a measurably different state of mind.

Myth #3 - Hypnosis Only Works for Weak-Minded or Unintelligent People

This is completely untrue. Everyone of normal IQ or higher is capable of being hypnotized, if they are willing to be. Actually, the more intelligent a person is, the greater their capacity to utilize hypnosis, because they are capable of greater concentration.

Myth #4 - Hypnosis Can Make You Reveal Your Deepest Secrets

This is another misconception. You will not reveal anything you do not want to, because you are actually in control while in hypnosis, just as you are in everyday life.

Myth #5 - Hypnosis is Only Useful for Entertainment

While the hypnosis done on stage and television shows can be entertaining, it also has a range of uses for helping people solve problems, change habits and improve lives. It is being successfully used to help with phobias, fears, anxiety, negative habits, stress management, pain control, and more.

Myth #6 - Hypnosis is New Age

Hypnosis has nothing to do with New Age practices, instead it is a set of skills and techniques developed and refined by practitioners in many countries over the last 150+ years.

Myth #7 - A Person Can Get Stuck in Hypnosis

It is impossible to be "stuck" in hypnosis. But what if you are in hypnosis and something happens to the hypnotist, how then can you get out of trance? If you were left in trance, you would emerge naturally from this state of mind when ready, feeling refreshed, just as a person who goes to sleep naturally awakens when they are ready.

Myth #8 - Hypnosis is Unconsciousness or Sleep

Hypnosis is not sleep or loss of consciousness. During hypnosis sessions, most people are aware of everything, though the mind may wander or drift at times. So while you are in hypnosis you should not expect to lose consciousness.

Fact: Hypnosis is Powerful Tool for Positive Change

Hypnosis is being used around the world as a powerful tool for positive change for trauma, phobias, fears, anxiety, negative habits, stress management, pain control, and many other uses.

Contact a competent hypnotist to find out if hypnosis is right for you.

Lance Castille is a consultant, coach and hypnotist. He has lived and worked abroad since the late 1980s and has advised and worked with organizations and individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, professions and nationalities. Currently he is the manager of Phnom Penh Hypnosis, the first professional hypnosis service in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For more information on hypnosis for stopping smoking, handling stress, cultural adjustment, or other issues contact Mr. Castille at http://www.PhnomPenh-Hypnosis.com

© 2009 Lance Castille - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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By Inga Chamberlain

Many of the common misconceptions about hypnosis have originated in the minds of Hollywood writers. Hypnosis and NLP are typically portrayed in a fantastic and sensationalistic manner.


The idea that you are under someone else's control is one of the most common misconceptions. Murder mystery writers love this one since it gives them a new angle for a story. This myth has been disproved over and over again but still persists.


A second misconception is that the person in hypnosis is going to be talking. This is something that would typically only happen in regression hypnosis. I may ask someone for a signal such as nod of the head or movement of a finger, but in a typical hypnosis session I am the only one talking. This fact is a huge relief to most of my clients.


Many of my clients expect that they will not be aware of where they are and they won't remember what is said in hypnosis. This is also not true. In hypnosis you are aware of what is happening around you and if you wanted to you could get up and walk out of the room. Hypnosis actually increases focus. You will simply feel relaxed and comfortable.


Another common misconception is that hypnosis is somehow against religion. This could not be further from the truth. Why shouldn't we use our minds to the best of our abilities? This one is promoted by the fearful and ignorant.


Finally, the misconception that if you can be hypnotized it means you are not as intelligent as those who cannot. Again a misconception. Anyone who wants to be hypnotized and has at least an average level of intelligence can be hypnotized. In my practice, I find those who are the most intelligent, educated and have the ability to focus are the easiest to hypnotize.


The truth about hypnosis is that it is an altered state of mind which we all visit from time to time. It is simply a state of focused concentration most easily accessible when one is completely relaxed. The mind learns quickly in this focused state and that is why changes to feelings, behaviors and habits can take place in much less time when using hypnosis. When someone is in hypnosis they feel relaxed and comfortable. When they come back to their conscious mind after a session they typically feel relaxed and more positive and confident then they have in some time. After the session they may also notice changes in a habit, new positive healthy self talk or simply an overall feeling of well being depending on the focus of the session. They will also sleep better than they can remember sleeping in a long time.



Inga Chamberlain is a successful entrepreneur with over 15 years experience as a hypnotherapist, speaker and trainer. Her background includes over 10 years experience in the executive search industry, both as an executive recruiter and as owner/manager of her own firm.


As an expert in motivation and peak performance she combines these skills with her expertise in sales to assist companies and individuals in moving past obstacles in their path to success. Enhancing sales, sports and stage performance and working with individuals who want to alleviate bad habits or let go of addictive behaviors are all examples of the types of individuals that have transformed their lives utilizing Inga's techniques.


Inga has a BA in Psychology from Penn State University and is certified as a clinical hypnotherapist, master practitioner of NLP, coach and is the creator of the "Neuro Conditioning System". Inga is also a speaker and author. Her book "The Power of Choice" is expected to be out in 2010.

To learn more go to her website.

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There are many courses that you can learn the biggest secrets in hypnosis, of which there are many great ones. Here I will discuss what I believe to be a secret of hypnosis. Actually, it is completely my perspective and insight into hypnosis. To do this I will discuss with you a film that by it's very nature and target audience you will completely disbelieve my thinking, so please stay with me. One thing I will say, is that if you really get where I am coming from, then you will have a greater understanding of this ancient art.

The film is Jack Black and Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda (2008)! OK, disbelief is now setting in. Don't worry if you haven't seen the film. I will not reveal the ending, but will leave you to research that. I can't promise you intellectual stimulation or enjoyment. What I can say is that if you really get the ending then you will understand where I am coming from. Kung Fu Panda is about a talking animal who by will and accident becomes the chosen one to follow the ways of Kung Fu and have it's very secrets revealed to him. To cut a long story short. The talking bear has to prove himself to his piers and teacher. He faces the threats and challenge from his nemesis. Ultimately discovering Kung Fu's biggest secret. I apologise if this is an inaccurate description of the plot, but you get the general drift.

So to find out what I believe to be an insight and possibly one of the secrets of hypnosis, you need to discover what is exactly revealed to Kung Fu Panda. Please don't misunderstand me by thinking I am being jovial about hypnosis. In fact, my seriousness is only out weighed by my passion for the subject . This is my genuine way to help people learn more about it.

Happy researching and post a comment on your findings.

Best wishes

Andy

Your Hypnotist