Having the extra Advantage
Hypnosis in sports. The major names in sport, regardless of the sport, have many characteristics in common. Among these traits are that: they are talented, driven, well trained and focused. But, there are many talented, driven, well trained and focused athletes whose names we will never know. What sets the relatively few apart from the rest? And, how can we learn the lesson of their excellence to improve what we do in golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, etc.?
Any sport you can name has an end game. Is it to score as many points as possible like baseball, pickle ball, basketball, football, boxing, soccer? Or is the end game to score the least, as in golf or swimming (times)? Whatever the sport, there are rules and a desired end result which are specific and visual.
The many variables that go into winning have to do with practice, repetition, desire, focus, motivation, being teachable, etc. Mindset, that popular word of today, always comes into play. The concept of Mindset is more than the cliche “Be Positive.” When tested with great competition, how does positive thinking stack up? When physical pain or emotional distress increase, how does positive thinking measure up? Here’s where hypnosis in sports comes in. To elevate the mind and body to perform at peak levels, regardless of distractions.
HYPNOSIS IN SPORTS IS A LEGAL SUPERCHARGER FOR PERFORMANCE.
Within the rules of the game we have always looked for a better way, a competitive edge. That’s exactly what hypnosis in sports is about. The Inner Game of Tennis (Gallwey) kicked off the avalanche of books and articles written about developing focus and concentration and “rising above.”
An hypnosis session programing the mind with post hypnotic suggestions about great hand eye coordination, braking personal records, excellent focus, seeing the shot, the proper form, the time at the finish line, etc. just makes sense. Done with consistency, the brain cells that fire together, wire together and performance gets better. Voluntary as well as involuntary muscles coordinate better. Hypnosis in sports is the epitome of “You become what you think about.”
SPORTS RITUALS
Most sports therapists create rituals (trigger mechanisms) for their proteges. As a stabilizing, focusing attention getter, some mental and/or physical ritual is used just before a practice or event. Some are intricate and some simple.
Here are 4 points to elevate your game:
- Every day in a relaxed state, visualize the course you will play next, the passing shots you will hit, the jump shots and free throws you will make, the finish line time you want, etc. See the successful action on your part every time.
- Use your creative imagination to hear and see and feel the best with every action. You are the superstar. Take the risk and you will probably break through the comfort zone you have created. It is usually in your head, not about the course.
- At some point in time during this imprinting session, circle the thumb and index fingers of either hand. Tell yourself silently that ‘each time I touch these two fingers together, I become more focused and concentrated.’ Most athletes develop a trigger mechanism or ritual that clears their mind and gets them back to a stream of consciousness that is commonly called the zone.
- Before you actually practice or play, circle the same two fingers, close your eyes for a few seconds, take a few deep breathes and tell yourself silently, ‘I will have more strength, stamina and coordination than ever before,’ or, ‘I will hit straighter, farther and with greater accuracy than ever before.’
Once conditioned, the mind looks forward to a positive boost (rush) and minimizes cortisol, which produces stress reactions.
You already knew some of this. But the difference between knowing and doing is great. Hypnosis in sports is a reality. Learn it, do it and see what you’re really capable of.
One of the truths in sport as in life is, ‘a little shift in consciousness makes a huge bottom line difference.’ Use this 10 second, mini version of a hypnosis session before physical performance and see the difference over 1-3 weeks. Use regular hypnosis sessions each night before going to sleep to get the more powerful effect from your suggestions.
Since sports are a metaphor for life, use the same idea to improve your learning, patience, managing stress and anxiety, selling, eating choices, speaking, memory, etc.