Positive Change with the Alexandrian Practice

It can be the little things that matter… to the unconscious

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:35:00 +0000

What a great writer Arthur Connan Doyle was. I have recently being reading Sherlock Holmes again and came across a wonderful passage that made me stop and think about all the things that can impact by ability to live healthily, positively and be able to reach my performance goals. In the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the hero says “It has long been an axiom of mine that little things are infinitely the most important”. Well what could these little things be, perhaps they are so little I may not be totally aware of them. Could they be so little that I have dismissed them but actually these things affect the way I work and live today? Is there something I can do to bring about the positive change I wish?

One way to find new understandings about these little things is the use of Cognitive Hypnotherapy and NLP. These could help provide just a different view or a perspective of something that I thought could be so little, but actually is the important information that my unconscious or emotional brain has used to set my perspective of the world. A different view through a different frame can then maybe just help provide those insights that bring a new understanding to living today, being positive and performing to my full potential.

Unconscious Perception, a resource for positive change

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:50:00 +0000

I read about an interesting scientific experiment recently that made me think about how even things we may not notice can affect our performance and positive change.

The article I read was concerned with just how the brain can register both conscious and unconscious perception. Apparently, only the conscious perception is linked to the brain activity being in synchrony. It is interesting that even though sometimes we may not register our perceptions consciously, we can still act on them.

Apparently there is accumulating evidence now of how various individuals with “Blindsight” or Sensory neglect can actually respond to sensory stimulation by activating higher brain centres. I had recently seen a report on the television about an individual with Blindsight that could navigate his way across a room full of obstacles successfully, without knocking any of them. I thought these separate items can be brought together with a key learning for me. To me, it helps support the notion that actually our unconscious can really look after us, without our conscious brain being ever aware.

As long as we can set goals and limits for our unconscious, when we need to find a way to perform, perhaps we should just let it go on and do it. Let go and just be in the moment, just like finding your way across a crowded room relying on what your unconscious can achieve. Do we really need our brain activity to synchronise to bring our senses to consciousness? Well of course we do, but we should also be able to let go when needed. Too much synchrony could be a bad thing? I always can find many issues and problems to put in my way performance and achieving my goals, but with the help of some simple techniques it is possible to build your skills and capabilities so that you can let go and perform in the moment, just living and being as positive as you can be and see how change can happen.

working together for performance

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:42:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to be able to drive a horse carriage for about a 20Km round trip over the last few days. Something I had never done before, I had ridden a horse twice before, but this was different. 2 Horses that needed to work together to pull me and a carriage along some dirt roads across the Portugese countryside.

After a 1-2 Km or so, under the expert tuition of Mani, I was able to get in the feel of driving my pair of excellent horses. Dennis was the lead and Ishi, although a little bit bigger fell into step with him. What I noticed after a little while was these 2 horses were working in a perfect team. They did not need to talk or signal to each other, but they somehow knew when one needed to take the lead and when one needed to rest. They were just living in the moment, being positive and focussed on their performance goals. You could tell by the harness who was working the most, when they were working together. Building the delivery and power a crescendo when needed, as the hills became higher they pulled together completely in the moment of performance.

I had a great day out, but I also could see so many things I could take away about working together in a team. Focus on a combined goal, just living and doing, being in the moment so that you can reach into your strengths and deliver whilst supporting each other through the trip and get home.

“Future History” a way to experience your future

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Mohammad Ali is one of my all time sporting hero’s. As a Champion, he had raw talent in abundance and a mental strength that gave him ability and determination to reach his goals. One of my favourite quotes from him sum up his talent and ultimate focus “Don’t count the days, make the days count”. If we could all take something from this, what would it be?

How can we make every day count to find the positive change we desire? At this time of year many of us are thinking how we can stop smoking, lose weight or start improving our fitness. It is perhaps taking a moment to just think how one could make every day count, to make change in order to reach your goals. It could be by just being positive, make a change today and you might be surprised to notice that you can start to reach your objectives.

Ali had a tremendous mental resilience that allowed him to maintain his focus. He once mentioned that he would focus his mind on what he wanted. He would imagine being in the ring with his next opponent, feel the sensations and experience the sights sounds and even smells of the ring. He would rehearse in his mind so that he would experience the future as if it were true. A future history.

There are some simple lessons we can learn from the great Champion. Take some time to really imagine the experience what we want, stopping smoking, eating less or taking more exercise. Experience how that may feel or how others may see you. Make a change to make every day count. Be positive, no matter how small the change maybe. Cognitive Hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT can help provide you with some simple tools and techniques to make your own future history and find the positive change you are aiming for in 2010.

You can be happy, the 5 ways of wellbeing

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:07:00 +0000

You can help yourself to be happy and be positive about your situation. Foresight’s Mental Capital and wellbeing Project has brought together some of the world’s most eminent Physicians and Scientists to tackle one of societies key issues. How is it possible to make a positive change and improve everyone’s mental wellbeing throughout their lives, to help them flourish, stay healthy and deal with the many “curve balls” that life can throw at us?

You can check out the full reports at http://www.foresight.gov.uk/. Promoting our individual Wellbeing therefore can have truly dramatic effects on our ability to cope and change our expectations to set a positive direction for our lives. The New Economics Foundation certainly sees the value of improving people’s wellbeing from an economic perspective. They state that over the last 30-40 years the GDP or economic value of UK society has doubled but peoples satisfaction with life has hardly changed? Furthermore, apparently over 80% of the UK population believe creating happiness in more important that creating wealth (http://www.neweconomics.org/) and have identified 5 key activities that promote wellbeing. These are;

Connect with People. Take interest in Friends, family and colleagues
Be active, go for a walk or play a game
Take notice and be curious for what is around you
Keep Learning
Give, do something nice for a friend. Thank someone.

Research has shown that these very simple ways of being promote and improve your attitude to life and your wellbeing.

However, sometimes it is easy to say than do. Our everyday behaviours are a complex balance between our cognitive (thinking or rational) brain and the older emotional brain which can sometimes take control of our behaviours. I suggest that is why sometimes we do things that may not be the best for us. Cognitive Hypnotherapy and NLP provide a framework for finding a balance between or thinking and emotional parts of the brain which allows you to get back on track to make a positive change to improve your motivation reduce cravings and stop unwanted habits.

At this time of year, many people wish to stop smoking, shed a few Christmas pounds and set their mind to the coming year. Remember the 5 simple things you can do to help you be happy and improve your wellbeing and you may be surprised to notice that you can start to make other positive changes as well. Call or text Alexander and the Alexandrian Practice on 07854 029268 if you would like to learn more about how to improve your wellbeing and make other positive changes you wish to make.

Where can I find help to make a positive change?

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Support each other! I know it sounds easy but it can be very difficult to find a level of support and advice when you have decided to make a change for the better. It could be in any area you choose to make a positive difference. For example, taking time to identity what is holding you back in your business or professional life can sometimes need a catalyst to start that chain reaction. Ultimately that change can be very beneficial and result in improved business performance. This is also true in other areas such as changing your mental attitude to sports training and goal setting. It can also be true for lifestyle changes that you desire, to find a way to recover from injury, set yourself free from anxieties and depressions or even find away to deal with compulsions and unwanted habits, such as smoking.

A number of people have recently been asking me where they can find help and resources. They have taken that first positive step and then need to consider many factors in finding the support they need. Their location and available funds are often just the initial consideration in spending it in the right way, to get the best advice.

I have suggested some different opportunities. As a Quest Institute trained Cognitive Hypnotherapist, the institute web page (http://www.questinstitute.co.uk/) will give you access to a range of Professionals trained in this area. The Association for Meridian Energy Therapies (http://www.theamt.com/) can provide access to Professional EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Therapists. A general repository of Professional Hypnotherapists can also be found within the Hypnotherapy Directory (http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/). Each hypnotherapist listed on the site is either a member of a recognised professional body or has submitted a copy of their insurance and qualification, once this can be verified a full profile will be created.

These sites can act as a quick way to connect with a number of Professional who can help you on the road to the changes you desire. These networks have a simple aim, to provide the public with an easy to use way of connecting you to a qualified therapist.

I am positive that you can find that Professional support that will be in the right place for you to make the changes you need.

How long is a piece of string? Maybe it depends on how positive you are about the change you are measuring?

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Did anyone see the BBC Horizon programme on 17th November? It was one of those programmes that managed to capture my attention and provide a real positive challenge. It was able to reinforce my view that it is important to consider the world from different views, changing your perspective means that you can choose a path that is right for you. Make a choice, select the outcome you desire and see how that positive change occurs.

The actor and comedian, Alan Davies was attempting to measure a piece of string. It would be easy, one would think, to use a rule or some other simple yardstick. However, nothing seems quite so simple. It depends, so the friendly scientist said, on what you are trying to measure. The more accurate you wish to make your measurement the more problematic the issue became, especially as the accuracy approached the size of an atom. How can you measure the size of an individual particle when you cannot be sure if it’s there or somewhere else?

This was the general introduction into the wonderful world of Quantum Physics and the famous theoretical experiments of Prof Schroedinger. They outlined his thought experiment as follows. Imagine a cat in a closed box where it is next to a vial of poison. The poison is released in association with some event such as the absorption of a single photon, the smallest unit of light. However, the programme had nicely shown that light photons can simultaneously be in two places at once. They arrived at this conclusion from observing the interference patterns observed from a laser shinning through two slits of light.

How do you know if the cat is alive or dead within the box? Well if a single photon of light can be in two places at once, then there is a distinct possibility that the cat could be both alive and dead. It is difficult to imagine, but before one has opened the box, this duality is a distinct possibility. It is only when the observer opens the lid to make an assessment that the status of the cat can be confirmed. Therefore, the story went on, the effects of merely observing an event can modify its outcome. The status of the cat depends on what the observer can see when the box is open. In the infinite variety of all possible outcomes it would seem that there could be a separate universe where the cat is observed to be the opposite from your observations.

As Henry Ford had said “If you think you can or you can’t, you will”. A question struck me as I was watching the programme; could this age old statement from Henry Ford really be quantum mechanics in action? If you think about the idea of the observer choosing the fate of the cat in the box, choosing a positive outcome means that perhaps we can select the most positive change for ourselves, the choice that can bring the best for our self and those we care most about. To create the positive change we most desire we must believe in want we want and that we can find all the necessary resources we can to reach our goals. If we truly believe we can reach our targets, perhaps on a subconscious level our conscious and sub-conscious makes the most appropriate choices we need to get there. Some people may even suggest that the subconscious mind holds the majority vote in this debate which means, focus on our objectives and choose our state of mind. Focus on the positive to create the change we need. This will allow our subconscious mind to make the right decisions in a blink of an eye.

If there are really many parallel universes, with all possibilities existing in parallel universes, why not focus and choose where we want to be. Make the future happen for ourselves by being present in the moment and taking the right choice to reach our dreams. Our everyday lives sometimes produce many challenges that affect how we respond. They maybe touching on past experiences and memories on which we have built some reactionary patterns. Take a step back, focus on your goals. Being curious about your environment and your experiences and you may be amazed on how you can start to see the best choice that can bring the change that is most positive for you.

The power of your belief in positive change

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:32:00 +0000

2009 is a remarkable year as it is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, the amateur scientist that was able to challenge the status quo of the established order and provided an alternative theory to explain the wide variety of species that inhabit the earth. He published his work in the Origin of Species 150 years ago. His findings of Natural Selection still provide fuel to a heated debate regarding those who propose the work of a higher being or intelligent design and those that believe in the power of environmental selection.

Picture an imaginary discussion between proponents of each of these ideas, how can each of them prove to the other the validity of their beliefs? What evidence could help prove a theory to each of the individuals? What evidence can disprove the others hypothesis? How could each of these individuals make a positive change in the others beliefs?

Perhaps this shows the power of beliefs. Is belief the power of how our expectations can modify how we bring meaning to facts, figures and our general observations around us?

The power and mystery of belief is also not the sole repository of the religious or spiritual communities. Scientists believe in an idea or hypothesis and then attempt to find evidence to support them. How many economic models have societies followed in the belief that they can predict future trends and developments in International Trade? Carl Sagan, a famous American Astronomer/Physicist thought that we would be contacted by extraterrestrial life forms and spent many hours listening for it. The tension between belief and proof therefore seems to be a natural conflict.

However by having a positive belief of how you wish to change you maybe surprised and how you can change. Many International Athletes realise they must believe in themselves to perform, to provide a positive change in their performance to allow them to find the right zone to excel in their performance. This is not only during competition but throughout their training.

Starting to have expectations about your performance, your training and your belief in your ability helps you develop the skills and capabilities you will need to perform. This is perhaps a simple step to finding a way to make the changes you need to be positive and reach your goals. The converse also seems to be true. If you don’t believe you will succeed in your goals, should you be surprised if you never do? Cognitive hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT can help you find the right techniques that allow you to find the zone, to be able to positively perform in a way that allows you to reach your goals and dreams.

The power of belief to help you make the right positive change for you can also provide support in your business life and ability to live positively. Being mindful of how your beliefs may affect your perception of your past and present can shape your future. You might be surprised, belief in your abilities to reach your dreams and future wishes can really help you make the right decisions, see the right opportunities and listen for the best that feels right for you. Dare to dream and have the imagination to reach out for what you want and desire.

Can we choose our future?

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:03:00 +0000

I have been watching the HBO network programme “Flashforward” as it has been broadcast in the UK on channel 5. What great entertainment, people see a vision of the future and it seems to affect the way people think and act in everyday situations. This vision therefore has a potential impact on the choices the characters make. They potentially give up striving for the things that make them happy and wait for the future to turn into reality.

Can the future depend on the choices we make right now? Is it possible to change our futures by the choices we make day to day? The great Baseball player Yogi Berra said when you come to the fork in the road – take it! Perhaps this means don’t wait to see what happens but to me it shows that by making a choice we are shaping what happens next, what happens in the future and being mindful of the changes we make will provide the best result for us today.

How can we be mindful, what does that mean? Mindfulness as a concept has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years and is currently a hot topic of research and clinical practice. There maybe many different definitions but to me mindfulness is about being in the here and now, making a connection between the past and what you want in the future. A holistic approach that is focussed on the integration of our past experiences, our future wishes and our sensory map of the world to bring a meaning to the actions we choose. By being present in the moment it helps us make the positive changes we need to reach our goals and dreams.

By focussing on our dreams and seeing ourselves living our aspirations we can subconsciously make the choices we need to take the right path. It affects our perception of the environment, the context of the choice we need to make and any trade-offs that need to be made. By being here in the now, we can take all we need from our past experiences and align them to where we want to be.

The characters in Flashforward who want their futures are happy in the Present; they have a firm vision of what they desire. The Doctor, who finds life is better than he thought, is suddenly energised for the future and making positive choices to change his direction. Could we do the same if we can really see what we want?

I think we can and it certainly seems better than waiting for the future to change our directions. If we don’t want what we can see in the future, do we sabotage the choices we make to make sure they never will and then end up with something we really don’t want, out of control and drifting to the whims of fortune?

By being in the moment, we can fully realise our wishes by making the most of what our senses are telling us. How many of us have found ourselves “on automatic” when we are driving or some other familiar task. Making choices in these modes is like working to a prearranged script. Using techniques from Cognitive Hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT it is possible to be more in the moment, taking control of our choices and making a positive choice so you can change direction and realise your dreams.

I am keen to see what happens next in the TV series, but also a little frustrated. Just like when you are watching a horror movie and the lead character decides to walk alone down a poorly lit haunted house and you want to shout “don’t do it”. Watching “Flashforward” sometimes makes me want to shout “don’t to it, think positive and make the change you need, be mindful and in the moment. Dare to dream because you can get there”.

Can we make a positive choice and change the way we eat?

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:55:00 +0000

I was interested to read in the news about the British Heart Foundation (BHF) concerns on the sale of “junk” food in places where children may exercise. The BHF wants councils and private venues to ensure healthy food options are also available. This seems like a sensible step but does it really help Children to make a choice? Society seems to be trying to protect both Children and Adults from unhealthy products but what can we do to help people make a better choice for themselves?

It has been said that we spend most of our time not really thinking about our decisions as we make selections biased on previous experience and expectations. How can we make a positive change to select the best choice for ourselves? To me, this means we need to somehow be more in the moment, experiencing the world to make the best choice, the most positive selection to help us get to where we want to be. Being back in control of our bodies and minds rather than responding to past events.

NLP and cognitive hypnotherapy can help provide a framework and techniques by which you can be back in control of how you respond to these “unhealthy choices”. By creating a change in how we respond to these factors can really place you back in control and allow you to create your own positive outlook. I read somewhere that change must come from within to provide a lasting result and this seems to be an area where we need to increase our focus for a positive future.

Positive change and the mind-body connection

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:42:00 +0000

I just find it amazing, the human body is a complex system comprising of many cells in states of communication either by direct contact, release of chemicals or via activation of the nervous system.

The brain can control how we talk, walk and breathe and many aspects of our health without a conscious input so we don’t even have to think about it. However it is possible to change these automatic controls and that regulate our health by thinking about it. Good actors can make them self cry or experience emotions just like the real thing. So why can’t we control of blood pressure any health in a similar way?

Recently I heard about how the power of the brain can impact change in the bodies function. Ideally these techniques to harness the mind-body connection can be used to facilitate positive change.

Think positively is a great way to start. My experience is that if I start thinking about all the problems I can see with a task or opportunity – it is difficult to break out of the spiral and get started on the path to success.

A recent article in the New Scientist (16 May 2009) magazine highlights the power of belief. This can happen in modern society, as the article notes example where an individual’s beliefs have been shown to have dramatic impact on their lives. A Patient diagnosed with terminal cancer died as expected but subsequently was shown not to have cancer at all. This process matching the expected morbidity or mortality in response to suggestion has been coined the nocebo effect. Clearly in these cases, the individual’s expectation can result in somatic changes in their physiology and morbidity. Is it better to focus on the positives to bring about a positive change?

A great book I recently read really shows this principal for me. The power of visualisation and the positive expectation can be seen in the example of Joe Dispenza. He was a keen triathlon competitor who experienced a traumatic bicycle accident that left him with a broken spine (see Evolve your brain, 2007, ISBN 9780757304804).

He was subsequently informed of his poor prognosis but declined surgical intervention which in his experience left individuals with poor flexibility. As an alternative, he harnessed his strong beliefs in the power of the mind-body axis and focussed on recovery. Visualising his spine healing and repairing over a number of months he regained full mobility. He also reported the power of belief in a number of individuals he was treating in his chiropractor clinic. The case of Dean, who was diagnosed with leukaemia and given 6 months to live and was still active 24 years later with at least 2 tumours visible in his neck. His secret he reported was that “you just have to make up your mind”. I think these are truly great examples of thinking in a way that can drive a positive change.

There is a maxim (Orr’s Law) that states “what the thinker thinks, the prover proves”

The most extreme examples may indicate the effects of a voodoo hex or the report of an individual suffering serious adverse effects on what they thought was an experimental drug, which later turned out to be placebo. Use of cognitive hypnotherapy and NLP can therefore offer ways to help you find that positive change to get back on tract and help your mind and body work together in harmony.

New Post

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandrian Practice for Positive Change) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:06:00 +0000

Welcome to my blog