How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 194

3.18 ENACTING
3.18.1 Visualization and imagery
Mental imagery, sometimes know as visualization, is the method used
to recreate experiences in the mind using information from real events.
This information is stored in our memory. Dreaming is a scattered form
of imagery and the imagery. The visualization of interested here is
structured imagery, where the athlete uses his or her imagination in a
controlled fashion to recreate specific images for a precise goal.
There is a difference between visualization and imagery. Imagery is full
body sensation, i.e. see, feel, smell, and touch the experience.
Visualization is only “seeing” the experience. It has been found that
imagery is the more powerful of the two.
There a three main ways of imagery. 1st person, you see and experience
the event thorough your eyes as you are the competitor. 2nd person,
you’re watching from the standpoint of a spectator or coach, and 3rd
person, it’s like you’re watching a movie, detached from the entire
event.
Research has shown that the most effect perception to use is 1st
person. In addition, research also shows that the more able an athlete is
to control his or her imagined movements, emotions, sounds etc, the
greater the potential performance enhancement.
As for hypnosis, there’s nothing mythical about it…all hypnosis is selfhypnosis. The process of hypnosis is nothing more then getting the
brain into the Alpha state. This is a state where there is direct access to
the sub/un-conscious mind. Basically this is simply a method of
inducing a state of heightened relaxation and awareness. And when
achieved, provides an ideal mental environment in which to practice
imagery.
Indeed, the effects of imagery can be even more powerful when
practiced in an Alpha state (hypnotic).

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