Visualisation is a common skill we all use all the time; to achieve anything, to do anything, we first 'see' ourselves doing it. So visualisation is not something strange or difficult, but something we all constantly use in order to function in the world ..... we all can visualise. The trouble is, most people use visualisation negatively - they imagine all the bad things that could happen, and then hope they don't!
The important thing to realise is that we human beings are a lot like guided missiles - we move in the direction of our regular and consistent thoughts and imaginings; we move toward what we picture in our mind - particularly what we picture with vividness and strong feeling.
Whenever we associate a vivid picture with a strong feeling, it has a magnetic attraction - so be careful of what you picture with feeling, because you will be pulled in that direction.
Have you ever 'imagined' doing something you didn't want to do ... only to find yourself almost magnetically compelled to do just that - despite all your best 'willpower' efforts?
It's important to remember that imagination is more powerful than willpower - so the first mental skill to develop is to learn to control and direct your imagination ...... rather than letting your imagination direct you!
WHY VISUALISATION WORKS
There is overwhelming scientific and anecdotal evidence which demonstrates the undeniable fact that visualisation can improve your sports performances. In my own research, the feedback I've received from athletes is that they improved their performance from 10% to 50%!
Visualisation works - but do you know why? It works because visualisation has a measurable, physiological effect on our body. When you visualise doing a movement, play, stroke, shot, or performance, there is a measurable response by the specific muscles used in that activity in response to your imagined movements.
For instance, in order to make a perfect movement/play/ stroke/shot in reality, a specific 'program' of neuro-muscular circuits has to fire in order for that to happen. However, if I just vividly imagine doing that action, it's been found that micro-muscular stimulation occurs in those same muscles used to do it in 'reality'.
In fact, neurologically, your body can't tell the difference between a 'real' experience, and a vividly imagined one. You consciously know one experience is real and the other is imagined, but at the cellular level, your body can't tell the difference.
Because there is this muscular response to visualised activity, it makes it possible to 'program in' desired shots, strokes, plays, movements, behaviours, and even emotional responses prior to doing them. In other words you can 'groove in' to your body at a cellular level, a 'muscle memory' of what you want your body to do.
Further, visualisation allows you to practice your techniques perfectly - without error, and so 'groove in' the optimum neural pathway for future successful performances.
Remember - you're more than a body. Successful sports performances today come from a holistic approach to training - harnessing the body AND mind to the goal of sporting excellence.
Power Of The Mind To Heal
Dr. Jerry Teplitz, a doctor of holistic health sciences says, "If you're in a job, if you're a homemaker, if you're taking care of kids or whatever you're doing that disaster day, the last four hours are not productive. You're not effective communicating, you're not fun to be around even around yourself versus on that energized day. When all that switches, you can get more done, your stress level is lower, you're more effective in communicating and you're more fun to be around."
Dr. Teplitz was a college student in the '60's and got peer pressured into trying yoga, meditation and new nutrition ideas. He was skeptical, didn't care about it, and was even a little scared of these new ideas.
He had a negative attitude and was ready to quit the whole thing when he discovered his body was going further than ever before. From that point on, he started developing treatments that relieved headaches, sinus colds, stiff neck, shoulders and back, and menstrual pain.
He developed a program on relaxation and enjoyment. He offers helpful tips and techniques to relieve stress in everyday life for a more proactive and healthy lifestyle. Apply these principles immediately in your own life.
Behavioral Kinesiology (muscle checking the body):
-Put your arm out to the side of the body, and turn the thumb downward.
-Have someone put a very hard, steady, direct pressure fight above the wrist bone for a couple of seconds, but not forcing the arm down.
-The other person tells you to think a negative thought, and then pushes down on your arm. The negative thought forces the arm to come all the way down.
-The other person tells you to think a positive thought, and then pushes on your arm. The arm won't come down at all.
This muscle checking method shows how the mind impacts the body. If your arm goes down easily when the other person applies pressure, then you are in a negative frame of mind. Once you are aware of this, you can change your thought pattern to more positive thoughts. This is a very powerful self-discovery tool.
You can proactively change your viewpoint to have a positive impact on your energy system. You are the one making the choice to change negative thoughts to positive stress reducing thoughts.
Hookups and Positive Points:
The following demonstration will show you how to use hookups and positive points to become aware of what is happening in your body:
-Stand up and really focus on a negative thought or situation.
-Put your hands beside your body, close your eyes and think of the negative thought. Intensify the thought and observe your physical posture.
-Observe your breathing.
-Observe any pain you are feeling in your body and where it is.
The typical responses to thinking of the negative situation are slumped posture, shallow breathing, onset of a headache, and rocking motion.
-Next, focus on a positive situation.
-Close your eyes and hold onto the positive thought.
-Observe your posture.
-Observe any pain and where it is.
After thinking positive thoughts, the typical responses are erect posture, headache disappears, deep and calm breathing, no rocking, and an excited feeling.
This gives you a look at the instant effect negative and positive emotions have on your body. This enables you to handle the stress, switching it to a positive side for optimum health and wellness.
Exercise to stay younger longer. It's never too late to start. The benefits of exercise are numerous: helps memory, improves the body, improves balance, helps withstand stress, and improves attitude. A positive attitude, diet, nutrition and exercise are crucial to maintaining your bodily systems.
Meditation is one of the primary stress reducers. It is very simple to meditate. Don't think about what you can or cannot do when meditating. You don't need to clear the mind as most people think. When a thought comes into your mind, react to that particular thought.
By doing this at least twice a day, you can get rid of any stress that happened to you on that day. You will become deeply relaxed, just as if you were sleeping for eight hours. You will actually need less sleep when you practice meditation.
Take charge of your life with these powerful strategies. Negative things are always happening, but you have the choice to react, controlling your inner emotions.
Both Jeffrey Hodges & Randy Gilbert are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jeffrey Hodges has sinced written about articles on various topics from . is the most successful sports performance coaching available. See Jeffrey and three other leading coaches in. Jeffrey Hodges's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.
Randy Gilbert has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marriage, Health and self improvement and motivation. Dr. Proactive, Randy Gilbert produces the "Inside Success Show". He presents his interview with Dr. Jerry Teplitz (SwitchedOnLiving.com) based upon the techniques from his book. Hear the entire interview for free by going to:. Randy Gilbert's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
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