The Gymnasts Mind Game

The information below is from my Facebook Page ——The Gymnasts Mind Game https://www.facebook.com/groups/755682102731017

It contains parents’ feedback and anecdotal information from some of the gymnasts I have worked with. This group is open to athletes, parents and coaches who are involved with gymnastics. It explores how mental training and specifically how hypnosis can be beneficial to the confidence of the performer.

Gymnastics is ranked in the top three toughest sports to compete in.  Along with it comes its fair share of injuries.

Recovery from Injury is when hypnosis can be a positive and powerful intervention. If an athlete's self-talk is the constant worry of a re-injury then the subconscious mind creates pictures of that happening. This negative pattern of thinking is what hypnosis alters. Look at the analogy of the brain and its likeness to a computer. The hypnotist can reprogram the subconscious mind to protect itself from injury, without focusing on the injury. Results can be dramatic and profound, and this sense of confidence can spread to other aspects of the athlete’s well-being.

Hypnosis is a technique that can potentially help a perfectionistic gymnast by addressing the underlying beliefs, thought patterns, and behaviors associated with perfectionism. While individual results may vary, hypnosis can be a valuable tool in promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and fostering a healthier mindset. Here's how hypnosis might be beneficial:

  1. Stress and anxiety reduction: Hypnosis can help gymnasts enter a relaxed state, allowing them to release tension and anxiety. By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnosis can help identify and address the root causes of perfectionism, such as fear of failure or excessive self-criticism. This can lead to a reduction in performance-related stress and anxiety.

  2. Changing negative thought patterns: Hypnosis can be used to reframe negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to perfectionism. It can help replace self-critical thoughts with more positive and self-affirming ones. This can create a shift in mindset, promoting self-acceptance, self-compassion, and a focus on progress rather than perfection.

  3. Enhancing confidence and self-belief: Hypnosis can help build self-confidence by reinforcing positive beliefs and visualizations. It can help gymnasts develop a strong belief in their abilities and trust in their training. Improved self-belief can counteract the self-doubt often associated with perfectionism and contribute to enhanced performance.

4. Promoting enjoyment and a healthy mindset: Hypnosis can help gymnasts shift their focus from solely pursuing perfection to finding joy in the sport. By fostering a healthier mindset, hypnosis can encourage a balance between striving for excellence and maintaining a positive relationship with gymnastics.

It's important to note that hypnosis is not a magical solution and may not work the same way for everyone. It is advisable to consult with a qualified hypnotherapist or sports psychologist experienced in working with athletes to tailor the hypnosis sessions to the specific needs of the gymnast.

Hypnosis can be a valuable tool in helping perfectionistic gymnasts manage their mindset and improve their overall well-being and performance.

What to expect from your free consultation

During the consultation, it is important that the athlete has a chance to discuss their feelings and concerns. In my client experiences, I see that the parents of the gymnasts have a firm grasp of the technical issues that are affecting the gymnasts’ development.

What follows is an example skillset consultation –

Using the kip-cast to handstand, which can be a challenge for many gymnasts, a partial hypnosis dialogue from a typical session is also shared at the end.

First Session

I have the gymnast write down in their own words how they visualize the skill, breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps, and gradually building up to the full completed skill.

During the hypnosis session, I use their familiar vocabulary to heighten and amplify the gymnast’s imagery experience. The athlete feels as though they are truly performing, which enables them to discover areas of concern/difficulty that are challenging them.

This enhances part of what the gymnast does in the gym but without any type of pressure.

The kip-cast to handstand

Upper body and core strength are imperative as well as coordination and technique. Focus, confidence, and the ability to overcome fear and apprehension are needed to perform this skillset.

Typical Problems, not inclusive –

  1. Fear of falling or losing control is a common mental challenge. (Performing any gymnastics skill, especially one that involves going upside down like the kip to handstand, can be intimidating.)

  2. Lack of upper body and core strength (insufficient core engagement).

  3. Timing and Coordination issues.

  4. Maintaining the correct body position throughout the kip to handstand.

  5. Insufficient swing: a kip requires a powerful swing to generate momentum.

Example of a session

“As I continue to talk I want you to understand that it is not unusual to be challenged with the kip-cast handstand.

You have accomplished it once before, so feel really good in knowing that you can physically do it.

Feel confident that you will do it again and understand that once you have mastered it, which you will, then there will be another skill that you will need to master——— and once again be Challenged.

Being a high-level athlete means embracing these challenges and goals ————-and looking forward to how you are going to push and motivate yourself to the next level.

If this whole experience was easy, then you would not feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with succeeding.

I want you to see yourself performing the kip-cast to handstand.

Break it down into parts and truly understand what muscles are being used to move from one part to the next.

See yourself in as much detail as possible as you go through each part of the routine.

(The following is how the gymnast described to me how she sees the skill.)

1. ‘Jump and grab the bar and fully extend your glide.’

2. ‘See yourself bringing the shins to the bar but not touching it.’

3. ‘Push up to front support, keeping your toes in front of the bar.’

4. ‘Cast and lean over the bar and push into it——At the same time bring your butt up in the air and then snap your legs together vertically.’

Now see yourself performing that sequence of skills perfectly. As you perform them be aware of what your body is doing in space, feel the bars on your hands———what are the noises you hear from the apparatus.

Shortly, I’m going to stop talking—————— and all I want you to do is just to focus on this sequence of skills. —————Once again see yourself doing them correctly and each time you do it feel your level of confidence increasing.

Repeat this skill inwardly 10 times.

When you have finished you can open your eyes————— ready for whatever challenge is in front of you.

Remember this feeling of confidence when you go into your next training session. And see your gymnastics experience as a journey. ————Every person accomplishes this journey in their own time ——and you will also.

— Enjoy.”

If the gymnast reveals an elevated level of fear and discomfort, I can bring this level down, so that they can feel more secure in their ability. This reduction of the fear level can be part of every level of the performance until fear levels are modulated, creating an emotionally productive experience.

Just as you would celebrate small achievements during a regular practice, I have the gymnast feel those emotions during hypnosis.

Like any skill development, the process of hypnosis receptiveness is a personal journey. Some people must work a little harder than others, but everybody can experience profound accelerated change with practice.

Please note that this is not a substitute for skill and strength training, nor is it intended to be a substitute for positive and constructive coaching.

Parent Feedback

"Both my husband and I see a big difference in Janet's general attitude. Her anxiety levels have been significantly less, her confidence is growing, and she is generally more active and more motivated than we have seen her in some time.

Her confidence is growing in ways we didn't expect - more so outside the gym---Her independence is growing at the speed of light.

I asked her if she thought it was maybe time to transition away from your sessions and I got a very adamant NO. She listens to your audio's more nights than not. She finds comfort and motivation in the work you two are doing together. So if you are good with it, we would like to keep going until she is at least fully back to practice and able to fully implement all she has learned. Then we can revisit the go-forward plan.

Let me know if there is anything you need from my end"

Thanks, Barry,

My Response

"So glad to hear the changes your family is seeing in Janet. Thank you for the feedback. I integrate self-development throughout my sessions! For me, this work is about the whole person and what I can teach them to help the individual take responsibility for their own happiness. In this viewpoint, Janet's experience on the beam is the symptom rather than the cause, so my focus is teaching her to see and feel herself taking a role in the challenges.

Throughout the sessions, I emphasise that there will always be challenges. Once she has succeeded at one, she will be on to the next. I structure my words very carefully so she feels it is her choice for success in whatever she does.

She is a joy to work with, so as long as you feel she needs me, I remain present for her".

Cheers!

Parent Feedback.

"I am so pleased with the positive impact the sessions are having.  She listens every night to your recording and it seems (although I"m not always there) that she is taking more ownership and advocacy for herself at the gym.

We are heading to Seattle on Friday returning on Tuesday so I will reach out and see if the following weekend is good for another session - especially if we identify any new needs after the meet.

Thank you again for all your hard work.  Enjoy your weekend"

Parent Feedback.

Hello!

"Yesterday, Annabelle got her series on the high beam with a bunch of mats but nonetheless, she still did it!!!  She says it’s different than doing it with no mats and I know it is, but she still could’ve not gone for it and she did…..something she would have never done recently even WITH mats. So, that’s a win! If she wants another session this weekend, when do you need to know by? I wanted to see how she was feeling on Friday if possible".

Thank you!

Parent Feedback

"Mara's meet went well in Texas. She hit her best bar routine of the year at level 8 (9.375). She competed and stuck all 4 events. She was disappointed however that with the fierce competition from national gyms that she only placed 4th on bars and 7th all around. She completed a Yurchenko timer instead of a full Yurchenko on the vault".

Here’s a Parent Question –

“Maybe this is a crazy idea, but If I were to obtain a video of Jackie’s bar coach providing verbal cues while spotting her through each movement/part of the skill, can we connect the dots between her mind and body through hypnosis? I may even ask if I can schedule a private lesson with her coach and have you FaceTime in. Then you can pick apart the context and intent of the verbal cues in connection to the expected movement with the two of them, if you think there is value there.”

This is a great question from a parent, and frankly, outlines how hypnosis can work to improve a skill.

When a gymnast is stuck with a specific skill, this typically is because one of those ‘dots’ (components) is not making a connection with the next dot.

The issue is not that the gymnast does not understand the directions, but they are unable to connect one of these dots.

Prior to any hypnosis session that is skill specific, I have the athlete break down the skill, how they perceive it, in their own words. I always tell them to write it down as though they were going to teach somebody else that skill.

During the hypnosis, I then suggest imagery specific to the skill and use their own vocabulary. Using their words speeds up the connection of the dots, manifesting itself as a completed skill.

Why Hypnosis is Safe

Hypnosis is a safe technique when conducted by a trained and licensed practitioner. Follows is a list of several ways that professional hypnosis practice has proven safe and effective:

  1. Non-Invasive: Hypnosis is a non-invasive technique that does not involve the use of medication or invasive procedures. The hypnotist uses techniques such as guided imagery and suggestion to induce a state of relaxation and focused attention, without causing any physical harm or discomfort.

  2. Collaborative: Hypnosis is a collaborative and client-centered relationship between the client and the hypnotist. The individual client actively takes part and engages in a level of control over their own thoughts and behaviors. The hypnotist cannot make the individual do anything against their will, and the individual can choose to end the session at any time.

  3. Individualized: Hypnosis is tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals, and the hypnotist considers the individual's personality, mindset, and medical history when developing a treatment plan. This individualized approach helps to ensure that the technique is safe, effective, and specific for each client.

  4. Supported by Research: There is a growing body of scientific research supporting the effectiveness and safety of hypnosis for a variety of conditions and purposes, including pain management, anxiety reduction, and smoking cessation.

Overall, when conducted by a trained and licensed practitioner, hypnosis is a safe and non-invasive technique that can be used to help individuals achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

How Hypnosis Can Help a Gymnast’s Performance

Hypnosis can potentially help a gymnast in several ways, including:

  1. Reducing performance anxiety: Hypnosis can help a gymnast overcome their fears and anxiety about competing or performing. Studies have shown hypnosis reduces interference in gymnasts’ ability to perform at their best.

  2. Increasing focus and concentration: Hypnosis improves the gymnast’s ability to concentrate and stay focused during training and competitions, improving overall performance.

  3. Enhancing visualization skills: Hypnosis assists gymnasts in developing their ability to visualize their routines and performances. Lucidly detailed visualization of routines improves muscle memory as well as mental and emotional confidence.

  4. Improving confidence and self-esteem: Hypnosis builds gymnasts’ confidence and self-esteem by expanding the gymnast’s skills and personal tools. Detailed attention to performance goals addresses and overcomes self-doubt or negative thoughts.

Overall, hypnosis can be a useful tool for gymnasts looking to improve their mental game and perform at their best. However, it is important to note that hypnosis should be used in conjunction with other training and preparation techniques.

How Does Hypnosis Help The Competitive Golfer →

Hypnosis can be a valuable tool for competitive golfers to enhance their mental game and improve their overall performance on the course. Here are some ways in which hypnosis can help competitive golfers:

  • Improved Focus and Concentration: Hypnosis can help golfers develop better focus and concentration skills, which are crucial for maintaining attention during a round of golf that may last several hours. By eliminating distractions and staying in the present moment, golfers can make better decisions and execute their shots with greater precision.

  • Reduced Performance Anxiety: Many competitive golfers experience nerves and anxiety during tournaments, which can negatively impact their performance. Hypnosis can assist golfers in managing anxiety and staying calm under pressure, leading to more consistent and confident play.

  • Enhanced Visualization and Mental Rehearsal: Hypnosis can help golfers vividly visualize successful shots and rounds. By mentally rehearsing their swings, putting strokes, and overall strategies, golfers can reinforce muscle memory and increase their chances of executing those shots during actual play.

  • Overcoming Slumps and Mental Blocks: Hypnosis can address mental barriers that may arise during a golfer's career, such as loss of confidence, negative thought patterns, or fear of failure. By working with the subconscious mind, hypnosis can help replace limiting beliefs with positive and empowering ones, allowing the golfer to break through slumps and perform at their best.

  • Confidence Building: Hypnosis can boost a golfer's self-confidence and belief in their abilities. With increased confidence, golfers are more likely to take calculated risks and make assertive decisions on the course.

  • Improved Stress Management: Hypnosis can aid in managing stress, both on and off the course. A relaxed and composed mindset can positively influence a golfer's decision-making and shot execution.

  • Developing a Pre-shot Routine: Hypnosis can help golfers create and reinforce a consistent pre-shot routine, which can instill a sense of familiarity and comfort before each shot, promoting a more relaxed and focused state.

  • Pain Management and Injury Recovery: For golfers dealing with injuries or physical discomfort, hypnosis can be used as a complementary approach to manage pain and potentially aid in the healing process.

  • Enhanced Mental Resilience: Hypnosis can foster mental resilience, helping golfers bounce back from setbacks and stay positive and motivated throughout their career.

Hypnosis can create positive thought processes during the trials and tribulations of GROWTH SPURTS

Growth spurts can have both positive and negative effects on a gymnast's performance. Growth spurts typically occur during adolescence, which is the age range when many young gymnasts are involved in the sport. These growth spurts can vary in timing and duration, but they commonly occur between the ages of 10 and 16 for girls and 12 and 18 for boys.

Also known as the “Peak Height Velocity” (PHV) period, a “growth spurt” will have a significant impact on a gymnast. This is NORMAL and should be expected. Helping gymnasts understand this can have a positive impact on their health and their progression in the sport. Awareness and prevention are essential during this period of growth. (USA Gymnastics)

 Here are some ways growth spurts can impact gymnasts:

  1. Changes in body proportions: During a growth spurt, different parts of the body may grow at different rates, leading to temporary changes in body proportions. This can affect a gymnast's sense of balance and spatial awareness. Adjusting to these changes may require the gymnast to relearn certain skills and adjust their technique accordingly.

  2. Decreased coordination: Rapid growth can temporarily affect a gymnast's coordination. As the body adjusts to its changing dimensions, movements that were once automatic may feel unfamiliar or awkward. Gymnasts may experience a temporary loss of fine motor skills and precision, leading to difficulties in executing complex movements.

  3. Loss of flexibility: Growth spurts can cause temporary loss of flexibility as muscles and tendons adjust to the rapid bone growth. This can impact a gymnast's ability to achieve full range of motion and maintain proper form in certain skills, particularly in skills that require high levels of flexibility, such as splits or backbends.

  4. Strength imbalances: During growth spurts, bones often grow faster than muscles, leading to temporary strength imbalances. This can make it challenging for gymnasts to control their bodies effectively and generate the necessary power for certain skills. Focusing on strength training and conditioning exercises can help address these imbalances and minimize their impact.

  5. Increased injury risk: Growth spurts can temporarily weaken bones, making gymnasts more susceptible to injuries, especially stress fractures. The rapid growth can also strain muscles and tendons, increasing the risk of muscle strains or tendonitis. Proper warm-up routines, injury prevention strategies, and monitoring workload can help reduce the risk of injuries during this period.

  6. Improved power and strength potential: While growth spurts may initially pose challenges, they can also bring positive changes. With increased bone growth and improved muscle development, gymnasts may experience an increase in power and strength potential. As the body adjusts to its new dimensions, gymnasts may find themselves capable of more powerful and dynamic movements.

  7. Mental and emotional impact: Growth spurts can also have psychological effects on gymnasts. Dealing with physical changes and temporary performance setbacks may lead to frustration, self-doubt, or a loss of confidence. It is crucial to provide emotional support and foster a positive training environment to help gymnasts navigate these challenges.

Overall, growth spurts require gymnasts to be patient, adaptable, and focused on gradual progress. Coaches play a vital role in modifying training programs, adjusting skill progressions, and providing support to help gymnasts manage the impact of growth spurts on their performance. 

Hypnosis can have a profound on restoring self-confidence. Reframing temporary performance setbacks as nothing more than a challenge that will be met.

The Gymnastic Mind Game

Hypnosis and Imagery to Improve Golf Performance--Research Reviews →

Performance anxieties and skill acquisition are innately intertwined. Every athlete has their own personal relationship with the mental game. Thus, every athlete should be treated as an individual.

GOAL: Enhance golf performance using a peer-reviewed scientific model of skill-focused imagery & hypnosis

Adding hypnosis as a method to upgrade skills imagery is akin to turbocharging your practice. Like using a magnifying glass to focus, hypnosis clarifies imagery and emotions.

Read more

Hypnosis and Imagery to improve football (Soccer) performance →

Performance anxieties and skill acquisition are innately intertwined. Every athlete has their own personal relationship with the mental game. Thus, every athlete is treated as an individual.

GOAL: Enhance football performance using a peer-reviewed scientific model of imagery & hypnosis

Adding hypnosis as a method to access imagery is like turbocharging your practice. Like using a magnifying glass to focus, hypnosis clarifies imagery and emotions.

Each of these disciplines/techniques are stand-alone methods for enhancing sports performance. I have incorporated them into a unique and extraordinarily successful multisensorial tool. The purpose of this article is not to go into detail about each of these techniques. Rather the focus is to integrate these methods into the PETTLEP model of imagery.

Read more

Gymnastic injuries: How hypnosis can help on the road of recovery →

Recovery is when hypnosis can be a positive and powerful intervention. If an athlete's self-talk is the constant worry of a re-injury then the subconscious mind creates pictures of that happening. This negative pattern of thinking is what hypnosis alters. Look at the analogy of the brain and its likeness to a computer. The hypnotist can reprogram the subconscious mind to protect itself from injury, without focusing on the injury. Results can be dramatic and profound, and this sense of confidence can spread to other aspects of the athlete’s wellbeing.

Read more

What you need to know about hypnotherapy online

Hypnotherapy Online with Barry Jones MSc

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First, hypnotherapy online is no different than a traditional hypnotherapy office visit. Prior to COVID many hypnotherapists were already practicing online. There are many benefits over the person to person hypnotherapy experience.

For example, online hypnotherapy negates that additional time and stress getting to an office visit.

Arranging your appointment around family and friend commitments is usually simpler. And if medical conditions and mobility are a limitation, online hypnotherapy is a wonderful alternative.

In so many cases the anxiety of making it to an office hypnotherapy session can outweigh its benefits. These anxieties produce VERY real emotions, both subjectively and physiologically. In the medical field, practitioners are trained to recognise White Coat Syndrome . In more extreme cases, Latrophobia and Agrophobia or social anxiety may also prevent clients from travelling or spending time in new environments.

Online hypnotherapy can remove many of these types of anxieties because you are in a familiar environment. You can also have friends and family present (as long as they do not disturb you).

How does online hypnotherapy differ to traditional hypnotherapy?

There is no difference. As long you commit to the process then the results will be exactly the same,  (without that additional stress of getting to the hypnotherapists office). 

Due to the Corona Virus, many therapies have moved online, however telemedicine has been around since the 1950s with remarkable success.

Hypnotherapy in many ways is far easier to prescribe online than traditional medicine as the hypnotist prescription tool is his voice. As long as your audio settings are good then you are ready to go.

What conditions can online hypnotherapy treat?

Everything that a traditional office visit could help with. 

In today’s Corona Virus environment, anxiety has become the norm for many. One of the greatest benefits of hypnotherapy is the creation of a relaxation response.

Whatever condition you choose from the list below, you will feel a sense of peace and tranquility. The following list is just an example of what can be helped with hypnosis. Click on the green highlighted link for up to date evidence based hypnotherapy treatment. 

 Hypnotherapy For Anxiety

Reducing Anxiety/Stress Self-Hypnosis Audio

The tremendous volume of research provides compelling evidence that hypnosis is an efficacious treatment for state anxiety (e.g., prior to tests, surgery and medical procedures) and anxiety-related disorders, such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Weight Management/Weight Loss

Weight Loss Self-Hypnosis Audio

This study indicates that hypnotherapy in obesity treatment leads to weight loss in obese patients, and thus, to considerable changes in leptin, ADP, and irisin levels. Hypnotherapy is easy to apply, cheap, and effective; has no potential for side effects; and can be applied both alone and in combination with other treatments. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Smoking Cessation

Quit Smoking with Self-Hypnosis Audio

Efforts to stop a tobacco habit have components which are both physical and emotional in nature; and which produce periods of discomfort and high relapse rates. Hypnosis can be supportive for both the physical and emotional aspects necessary for successful cessation. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Phobias

There is a significant change in the decrease in phobia symptoms, by 51.87% after hypnotherapy. This study concluded that hypnotherapy was effective in reducing phobia symptoms with 2 therapy sessions in 4 meetings. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Nail Biting

Stop Nail Biting Self-Hypnosis Audio

Results for all subjects indicated immediate and dramatic increase in fingernail lengths concomitant with the introduction of treatment. At 3-month follow-up, subject 1 demonstrated a moderate reversal effect while the remaining two subjects continued to indicate substantial progress. These findings were discussed with regard to the efficacy of hypnobehavioral treatment strategies and utilization of single-case experimental designs in future hypnotherapy research. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Sports Performance

This paper focuses on using hypnosis as a technique to enhance performance, reduce anxiety and increase self-efficacy in coaching and coaching psychology settings. – quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Pain Management

Pain Management Self-Hypnosis audio

Reviews on hypnosis for internal medicine topics are impressive, with demonstrated efficacy for migraine headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and anxiety. Hypnosis improves procedural pain and emotional distress and reduces medication consumption up to 40%—in short, if hypnosis were a drug, it would be standard of care. quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Exam Preparation 

In the test-anxiety categories, emotionality, worry, interference, and lack of confidence were evaluated. The effect of clinical hypnosis on test anxiety was observed in this study. The global test anxiety and lack of confidence scores were reduced significantly over time in the group that underwent clinical hypnosis, while not so in the control group. - quote from the study.

Hypnotherapy For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective at relieving global gastrointestinal symptoms (GGS) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study examines the impact of hypnotherapy delivery and participant characteristics on IBS outcomes. - quote from the study.

How to a determine a reliable online hypnotherapist

You have a huge choice of hypnotherapists from all over the world to choose from. 

However, Hypnotherapy is currently UNREGULATED in the UK and USA. There is no national or international organization that is solely responsible for hypnotherapy accreditation. In reality, anybody can self-accredit, and they do!

So, how do you navigate through the minefield of hypnotherapists? 

Begin by finding a professional organization that has academic standards.

UK

The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis

bscah.com

USA

  1. Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis www.sceh.us

  2. American Society of Clinical Hypnosis www.asch.net

  3. American Board of Medical Hypnosis www.abmh.info

For more resources on this go to my Blog Post

What are the technical requirements for online hypnotherapy?

Multiple platforms are available that can be used for online hypnotherapy and, typically, all are free.

   Please ensure that you have the following:

  • A high speed internet connection e.g., cable or DSL broadband.

  • A computer with integrated microphone or a headset with microphone.

  • A webcam for face-to-face therapy sessions and adequate lighting.

  • A valid online platform, Zoom, FaceTime, Skype etc. (or other application) account and the latest software. Keep these apps and your computer updated.

  • A location that is private (free from any distractions if possible). This includes pets that do not want to be away from their person. If a pet is not used to being isolated, they may cry. Let friends and family know ahead of time that you will need this block of time not to be disturbed. Turn off the notifications from your devices.

  • A location that is comfortable (sitting or lying position) and still in view of the webcam, phone or tablet video camera.

  • Prior to a hypnotherapy session it is always advisable to do a sound and picture testcheck.

Which are the best online hypnotherapy platforms?

I am going to cover four platforms. If you are interested in other formats, I have included additional companies. There are some great tutorials on Youtube, so rather than reinventing the wheel, I have included some of the most popular. They are all free for one to one communication and similar in their use.

Facetime

Skype

WhatsApp

Zoom

Additional platforms are GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts, join.me, and ON24.

How do I know if hypnotherapy online will work for me?

To begin with lets reiterate that online hypnosis is just as effective as a traditional office visit, so the question really is: “Can I be hypnotized?” 

I am going to refer you back to one of my blogs: Hypnosis, what we know . What we do know, is that some people are more hypnotically gifted than others. A hypnosis facilitator looks for physiological signs that indicate hypnosis. These signs are not necessarily consciously experienced by the client.

One of these is called an eye roll developed by Dr Spiegel .

You can try this out with friends and family, and although it is not a DEFINITIVE test, it is a great indicator. 

1. Hold your head looking straight forward ;
2. While holding your head in that position, look upward toward your eyebrows— now toward the top of your head (UpGaze) ;
3. While continuing to look upward, at the same time SLOWLY close your eyelids slowly (Roll) ; I say try and close your eye lids over your eyeballs, it is a good image to visualise.
The amount of sclera visible ( White of the eye ) between the lower eyelid and the lower edge of the cornea is the most practical measurement.

Spiegel Eye Roll

Spiegel Eye Roll

 Simply, the more you see of the white of your eye measures your level of hypnotisability. 

If your eyes start to flutter you may be experiencing what is called REM or rapid eye movement

You may also notice a change in body temperature and a tingling sensation in the extremities, neither pronounced.

During hypnotherapy, we skip the first three stages of sleep. A hypnotized person is intensely focused but not worried about what they are doing. They are not worried about evaluating instructions, but are simply following those instructions, and they have a more direct connection between their minds and the physical function of their bodies.

Stage 1 non-REM sleep is the changeover from wakefulness and daytime wakefulness patterns into sleep. 

Stage 2 non-REM sleep is a period of light sleep before you enter deeper sleep. You spend more of your repeated sleep cycles in stage 2 sleep than in other sleep stages.

Stage 3 non-REM sleep is the period of deep sleep that you need to feel refreshed in the morning.  It occurs in longer periods during the first half of the night. Your heartbeat and breathing slow to their lowest levels during sleep. Your muscles are relaxed, and it may be difficult to awaken you. Brain waves become slower yet. 

REM sleep first occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep. Your eyes move rapidly from side to side behind closed eyelids. Most of your dreaming occurs during REM sleep, although some can also occur in non-REM sleep.

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TRY THIS AUDIO TO SEE IF SELF-HYPNOSIS WORKS FOR YOU

Go to www.barryjones.com to book an online appointment. For self hypnosis audio downloads go to the STORE

For more clinical information you can also go to TAVISTOCK HYPNOTHERAPY

Source: www.barryjones.com

Does Hypnosis work to lose weight?

Does Hypnosis work to lose weight? Is hypnotherapy a good investment? The answer is yes and no. Let me explain

Should a hypnotherapist understand nutrition to create a more successful outcome? In my opinion, they should. But it is also my belief that they should have a good understanding of any therapy they are facilitating. Hypnosis is not a panacea, as medications are not to a physician. In fact, many medications mask the original problems and cause additional side effects.

A hypnotherapist prescribes words, however, unless they understand the power of those words, then most long-term therapy will not work. Especially so for weight management/weight loss.

With most hypnotically talented clients, you will get favorable short-term results. Yet, as with ANY hypnotherapy, long-term results will have greater success if your vocabulary is precise and relevant.

You would think if we could put a man on the moon that we would be able to figure out this ‘nutrition thing.’

Our governments are aware of the health issues caused by poor nutrition AND have the power to make changes. Consider the huge amounts of profit made from the fast food and sugar industry via investment as well as sales. Their lobby in Congress is powerful.

Another great benefactor of our rampant obesity is the Pharmaceutical companies. The pharma industry makes billions on statins and blood pressure medications… conditions, especially obesity, that poor nutrition causes. Piggybacking them is the diet industry, which in the USA market is estimated at $71 billion. That is a lot of money being made to confuse us into thinking we have no control over our lives!!!!!!!

As a hypnotherapist, we are in a unique situation to make a profound difference, but generic hypnotic weight loss dialogue is only going to take your client so far. I still hear the word fat consumption being used in a negative context… when taking in healthy fat is ESSENTIAL for a healthy lifestyle.

I do not have a degree in nutrition, but I have extensive knowledge in health education, a subject that I taught at University/College.

If somebody approaches me to discuss a specific way of eating, I feel prepared to alter my dialogue to accommodate their needs. I am blessed to have a wife who is a Nurse Practitioner with specialised knowledge of nutrition. www.stilljanet.com

If I feel stuck with anything then this is my go-to person. 

Weight loss/management can be a complex problem especially if medications are involved. If you are unsure about a nutritional situation, you can refer out, or work in a partnership with a health care professional.

We all have individual constitutions and lifestyle circumstances, so it would only make sense that every hypnotherapy dialogue would be different.
Resources
Glycemic index for 60 plus foods

U.S. obesity as delayed effect of excess sugar
Obesity and overweight-World Health Organisation. While many population health studies have invoked sugar as a major casual factor in the obesity epidemic, few have explicitly explored the temporal delay between increased sugar consumption and rising obesity rates.

Obesity and overweight
Obesity and overweight-World Health Organisation.
In 2019, an estimated 38.2 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese