Whitman High School Athletes Give Hypnosis a Try

It is a class of alphas.  They walk the halls with confidence.  Each plays at least one varsity sport.  They all desire to make competitive athletics part of their college experience.

This past week I had the privilege of speaking at Walt Whitman High School to about 20 students about the power of visualization to improve athletic performance.  Called the “Whitman Athletic Leadership Team,” the class is taught by a physical education instructor and coach of the school’s varsity baseball team.

Here are highlights from my 50 minute presentation:

--I captured interest with two anecdotes about how visualization can empower exceptional athletic achievement:  1) Ray Allen’s dramatic three pointer during game six of the NBA finals last year; and 2) the incredible story of Vietnam War POW Major James Nesmith who improved his golf game by 20 strokes without stepping on a course for seven years.

--The talk then shifted to a definition of hypnosis and an overview of its meaningful applications for athletics, including stress management, self-confidence and injury recovery.  I presented each within the context of challenges that high school athletes face when preparing for and engaging in competition.

--The issue of confidence was of particular interest for the students, especially its importance when graduating to the collegiate level.  When everyone on the field is talented, skilled and physically gifted, mental fortitude often becomes the separating factor.  It helps players shine in key moments. 

--I then offered to take the kids through a brief hypnosis induction and, to my pleasant surprise, every student in the class volunteered.  I employed a couple of simple relaxing visualizations to create the right environment, and then helped each student capture a feeling of confidence in a post-hypnotic suggestion.

Although we were limited by time and a classroom environment during a school day is far from ideal, I think each student came away intrigued by hypnosis and its use by athletes.  

Equally important, they have a deeper appreciation for the role mental strength and focus plays in achieving success – in sports and in life.

NBA coach Phil Jackson used mediation and hypnosis for his championship basketball teams.

Tiger Woods employs hypnosis for mental focus on the course.

Positive Visualization Helps Athletes at All Levels

NFL coach Pete Carroll employs visualization to help his players succeed. (Photo: BleacherReport.net)

My 9-year-old son is a heck of a basketball player.  One of the best in his house league, he was selected to play on an all-star team that competed in a youth tournament hosted at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland.
 

In their first game they faced off against one of the top U9 teams from the state of West Virginia.  The opponents were just as tall, just as athletic and more skilled.  It took my son an entire half to get over the shock of this level of competition and actually get comfortable on the court. 

Each rung of the competitive ladder requires an athlete to adjust in order to achieve success.  Plus, once a player reaches a high level of competition (i.e. travel teams, high school ball, college and (even) professional) the difference between win/loss becomes increasingly influenced by mental toughness.

That’s where positive visualization and hypnosis can help.  In an environment comprised of physically gifted and skilled equals, a mental edge is absolutely critical.

The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks subscribe to this.  Take a moment to read this article published by ESPN.com entitled Lotus Pose on Two.  It describes how coach Pete Carroll has integrated meditation, visualization and yoga into the team’s practice and preparation regimen to promote well-being and enhance performance.

NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson is also a believer.  In his book Eleven Rings:  the Soul of Success, he outlines the use of self-hypnosis by the Chicago Bulls to facilitate performance on the court and foster team cohesion.

During the past few years, I have shared self-hypnosis and visualization with a number of athletes as they have transitioned to higher levels of competition.  Additionally, I have taught hypnosis as a tool to manage injury recovery. 

I encourage you to keep an open mind when it comes to alternative approaches to athletic performance and success.