Benefits of a daily practice (A challenge with a prize!)

Hello all,

Following on from Richard's posting regarding Progressive Muscle Relaxation, I am inspired to set a challenge.

One of the recurring issues when something is useful, (and needed), is that people use a technique once or twice, and then lapse. a form of self sabotage?

A one off session of deep relaxation using progressive muscle relaxation is useful in itself, but does not usually sort out what is essentially a chronic problem of retained unneccesary tension (which is endemic in our society and can negatively affect every area of our functioning). If the technique is adopted as a daily practice for an extended period of time (much the same as a regular workout, or meditation practice), the benefits become more and more profound, after a few weeks, and then there is continued progressive improvement in all areas... with or without hypnosis.

When used with concomitant hypnosis/psychotherapy, the benefits of the generalised letting go of physical (and mental) tension can be emphasised, and built upon, clearing the way for more specific positive change suggestions to be more effective.

I wonder how many readers of this forum, and their clients commit themselves to this form of regular practice, and what excuses/rationalisations the others come up with for not sticking with this proven process.

So here is the challenge: I have put my half hour MP3 session of this deep relaxation technique on the audio player on my page.

Who is willing to use this once a day for a month, and report back here on their experience, and progress. (including what got in the way at times.)

There will be an (as yet unspecified) prize for all who take part.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Donna Carter on February 24, 2009 at 12:55pm

I'll put my left foot in....and shake it all about.

Thanks, Fable, for doing this fun challenge.

I'll have more to say in one month...

~~D.

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Permalink Reply by Pattie Freeman CH.t, MST on February 24, 2009 at 7:02pm

Yes I will...I am in.,..

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on February 25, 2009 at 1:10am

That's right Joey,

The recording is at least 25 years old. The recording quality is not great, as it was done on a very cheep tape recorder. But I have not re recorderded it as the technique is not dependant on the quality of recording, or tone of voice but on simply following the directions with awareness.

Looking forward to feedback.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by John Cerbone - The Trance-Master on February 25, 2009 at 4:32am

Yes, unless you are actually doing real sessions. Then it would (and has) worked just absolutely fine, simmer and seperate, then let cool that one my freind and colleague. Should ferment just fine.
In terms of your choice of approach, get them to deep breathe for periods of time in a meditative posture of breathing 3 - 4 times a day for 30 seconds, through their navel, while imagining that area is melting , unknotting and filled with light.
Ya know, this thread could turn into a book.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda Irvine on February 25, 2009 at 5:33am

Sounds like a great idea count me in!
Cheers!~
Amanda

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on February 25, 2009 at 7:24am

Good Morning Fable,

Yesterday I listened to the MP3 and it was hard for me to relax, this is what happened, first I started to feel very very cold, did not sleep well the night before, "Thinking how my presentation" at the medical center will go, ( By the way, it went well ), so I stopped, went grabbed a blanket, and did it again, still was feeling cold, as I started to relax, and I was coming out of the relaxation, when ever you were pausing, it felt like my mind was fighting, not to relax, and every time i started just starting to feel like I was relaxing, I will lose it when you were pausing, and unfortunately, I will instantly come out of the hypnosis, not being able to go deep...( By the way I do use the same exact way of relation when I work with clients, tensing the body and releasing the tension, asking them to notice the absence of tension, so they can distinguish between tension and relaxation...

So now, my question is, why couldn't I relax? could it be that my mind took the advantage of the time between your pauses to get me out of the relaxation? or it was that my mind was too busy with my presentation outcome? what do you think? do you have any idea?

Any ways, I did listen to it later on again, I still had the same affect, so i just let it be, and I am going to start doing it now, will let you know if I felt the same or not.

Thanks Doreen

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on February 25, 2009 at 7:39am

this is great feedback Doreen.

Feeling cold is (When it is not actulally cold in the room) can one (or a combination) of four things:

1. A direct effect of deep relaxation. When the body relaxes deeply, the nervous system is fooled into thinking that the body is asleep, and withdraws blood from the extemities, to service the vital organs. (this is why we usually need blankets when we are sleeping, even if the room is warm)

2. A manifestation of fear coming to the surface, trying to discharge itself. (in this case, possibly fear of the presentation going badly, or fear of relaxing deeply)

3. Your inner mind attempting to sabotage your attempts at relaxing, to prevent letting go of emotional tension.

4. A clear indication that you need to learn to relax body and busy mind

Either way, the solution is the same:

Wrap up warm beforehand... Commit to sticking with the discipline regardless of what seems to get in the way.
Keep observing what seems to get in the way, but don't let it fool you into stopping the practice.

Thanks for your feedback.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on February 25, 2009 at 7:45am

Well spotted Trish (no flies on you!),

Appart from any prize I might award, the real prize is the joy and other accumulative benefits of carrying out the practice.

I will enjoy the thought of being in the country with you.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on February 25, 2009 at 8:31am

Hi Fable,

Ok done it again, and I am feeling cold, and yes i did use a blanket, then I was too hot, so I removed it, and as soon as I did, I started to feel cold again, so I did cover myself again...BRRRRRRRRRRRR I am cold...

1. Ok, now, I know that it isn't about manifesting fear from my presentation going badly, but as of yesterday, I believe it was... but as of today, I do believe that I could have some resistant to experiencing deep relaxation.... to be honest the long pausing, well it is long for my mind lol and I feel that when I have to tense my body, I don't enjoy the relaxation anymore... instead my body fights it, I become cold, tense and edgy.... so I guess number 3. is a possibility... since I am very concern about my financial situation now, and my mind is constantly working none stop with helping me to come up with a solution to go back on track in regards to my financial freedom... I know it is possible, It always has been, ( Therefore It seems that I am fighting the relaxation) also for me I think the tension and relaxing triggers an escape from relaxing ), it has always been like that for me, my body always refused doing the extra work as to tensing my muscles and to relax the muscles, how do I know that, well, when I record a CD for my clients, it does have the same affect on me, but my clients love it, so I am wondering if this is another possibility to why I cannot relax with the muscle tension and relaxation? Maybe because I am emotional suggestible? I am asking that, because I remember the same results and complains from other emotional clients, that I had to re do the relaxation CD's for them, without the muscle tension... ( wow so many thought lol )

want to grab the opportunity again.. so I am afraid of relaxing, for the reasons of If I do relax, I will lose the chance of d Your inner mind attempting to sabotage your attempts at relaxing, to prevent letting go of emotional tension.

and I also agree with 4. A clear indication that you need to learn to relax body and busy mind ( when it comes to the body tensing :)

I am committed to sticking with the discipline regardless of what seems to get in my way and I will keep observing what seems to get in my way, lol without letting it to fool me into stopping the practice.

Thanks for your feedback, waiting for more :)

Thanks Doreen
PS: Now I am boiling hot.. damn... not sure if it is my "menopause affects" as I do suffer the symptoms such as hot flashes...

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on February 25, 2009 at 8:42am

Well, update us, how are the first 2-3 days going for you all? PM and email back and forth to hold each other accountable, we want everyone to be a winner!

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on February 25, 2009 at 9:05am

I just want to relax my mind :)
Thanks Richard, ( I just received your Stage Hypnotist program, and I have started watching it yesterday, I really love it ) Thanks.

Doreen

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on February 25, 2009 at 10:17am

Well done Trish,

I am proud of you!

Who knows what pleasures tomorow might bring. It has been a great day here in Sunderland.

I have just reconnected to an old friend From nearly forty years ago on facebook.

Great joy!

I must remember to relax a bit more before I meet him again, what a good excuse to listen to my own recording again!

But first, I am making a start on my new book, "Seeing Things In A Different Light!"
And My next video "YOU CAN GET THERE FROM !"

I just have to pick the right music for the soundtrack.

Have Dreams of the Gentlest Texture.

Love and hugs,

Fable