| Over the years, many boxers, martial artists, ultimate | | | | up his images of one of the fighters in his right hand |
| fighters, judo experts and wrestlers have consulted | | | | and load up images of the other favorite boxer in his |
| with me to learn how to perform their best when they | | | | other hand. He needed to absorb their power, energy, |
| step into the ring or on to the mat. | | | | grace, balance, foot speed, hand speed, courage, |
| Many of these competitors need help with their | | | | reaction time and confidence. |
| confidence, focus, intensity and their ability to tune out | | | | I suggested that every time he let his hands go that he |
| distractions and to remain relaxed during the heat of | | | | would feel like he was one or both of his favorite |
| battle. | | | | fighters. Fighters always want to "let their hands go." |
| Frequently, we do some training in hypnosis, | | | | I also suggested that when he touched his gloves |
| self-hypnosis, visualization, meditation and | | | | together, he would feel like he was a complete warrior |
| guidedimagery to help these athletes to learn how to | | | | and a powerful combination of both of these |
| enter the zone. | | | | gladiators. |
| Recently, a young and talented boxer came to see | | | | Obviously, this technique was intended to help this man |
| me. He would sometimes become quite tense, | | | | with confidence, focus, distraction control and his ability |
| distracted and nervous during fights. | | | | to relax under pressure. |
| In addition, sometimes he would become quite | | | | My patient loved this experience. When he came out |
| frustrated when his opponent would not go down | | | | of his trance, he remarked,"If I can feel this way in the |
| after he delivered some hard blows to his adversary. | | | | ring, I will be unbeatable." |
| This boxer planned to turn professional very shortly, so | | | | I have used similar techniques with other boxers and |
| it was important for him to learn how to get control of | | | | ultimate fighters and many seem to derive significant |
| his mind when he put on the gloves to compete in | | | | performance benefits from them. Martial artists who |
| what some boxing experts call, "the sweet science." | | | | use their feet to land kicks and use a similar technique |
| To help this young man, I asked him who his two | | | | for their legs. |
| favorite fighters were. He gave me their names. | | | | These methods are described in detail in articles, |
| I then placed him in a hypnotic trance and once he | | | | books and CD programs which I have written and |
| was relaxed and comfortable, I suggested that he load | | | | developed over many years. |