The Role of the Mind
Training the body to maximize its capabilities without simultaneously training the mind is an invitation to mediocrity.  Sports coaches and championship players alike, claim that for the Olympic athletes,  80% of an athlete's performance is in the mind. 

Mental rehearsal, i.e.:  visualization, creates and reinforces the confidence necessary for top performance.  The visualized image convinces the subconscious that this achievement is possible.  The automatic nervous system performs in exactly the same manner as followed during a physical rehearsal.  Neuromuscular coordination improves.  "What your mind can conceive, you can achieve."

How Hypnosis Works
Hypnosis and self hypnosis can reduce or eliminate the mental obstacles and distractions to peak performance, to set goals and to perform mental rehearsal in sports activities. 

In hypnosis, negative thoughts or beliefs can be changed or eliminated.  Your enjoyment of the sport will be enhanced as skills improve.  Rare incidents of poor performance no longer arouse anger, discouragement or emotional reactions.  Maximized concentration, coordination and technique are focused on  as well as the awareness of proper form and posture.  A positive attitude is essential. 

The Power of Your Mind!
Competition can be intimidating and fear of humiliation often results in diminished skills.  To overcome this, you can use hypnosis at any time during competition.  Once you have learned sports hypnosis techniques you can utilize self hypnosis in seconds. 

Most athletes have experienced the exhilarating feeling of being "in the zone" (groove, flow, etc.). When you use hypnosis you can be in the zone on command. Your opponents will never know you are using hypnosis in competition! 

In training, athletes can use hypnosis to learn or perfect new skills.  Using deep memory exploration techniques athletes can review and relive past performances and ultimately release their negative charge. 

Self-hypnosis is best learned under the guidance of a certified hypnotist who understands your blocks as well as your goals for the future.  Learning self-hypnosis while in a state of hypnosis offers the added benefit of receiving a powerful  post-hypnotic suggestion or "trigger" that instantly facilitates the hypnotic state on command in your waking state, when you need it.

Pinpointing and Achieving Your Goals
Goal setting is essential.  Without an objective, it is pointless to begin a task.   Goals can be set by the athlete, the coach or the hypnotist or any combination thereof.  It is important for goals to be specific, focused on the area in which improvement is desired.  For example, playing better tennis is not a valid goal.  Improving a serve or backhand is a goal.  Goals must be short-term, achievable and defined step-by-step, so that both success and completion are experienced.

Concentration is vitally important.  With hypnosis, distractions are eliminated. Post-hypnotic cues will stimulate both concentration and specific skills.  Visualization, not just in mental rehearsing, but at a moment of performance can produce dramatic results.

The key to excellent performance is mental rehearsal.  It can be as  productive as physical practice.  Imagery should be vivid and can include all the senses. The perfection you seek may well require the inclusion of all your senses.  For instance, in a diving competition, one should 'see' the dive, 'smell' the chlorine water as olfactory, 'feel' the cool wetness of entering the water as sensory and 'hear' the splash or the cheering of spectators as auditory. 
 

CAROL DENICKER, MEMBER BOARD CERTIFIED HYPNOTIST NGH INSTRUCTOR, ADJUNCT FACULTY MEMBER CERTIFIED HYPNOBIRTHING® EDUCATOR PRESIDENT, LI-NGH