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Alpha (8-14 hertz) brain wave is the goldilocks
performance zone.
This is where a state of “quiet alertness” is possible. Focus is
achieved without putting too much strain on rational cognitive
function, minimising the risk of mental burn-out and negative
thought intrusion while still being able to perform demanding tasks.
At theta (below 8 hertz), focus is
turned inward and individuals can be described as “inattentive” and
are often unable to “switch on”. These individuals struggle to focus
on anything in particular and need to raise their brain’s frequency
in order to reach alpha.
The Yerkes-Dodson law states that increased arousal improves
performance, but only up to a certain point.
An over active mind directly affects
performance anxiety.
EXAMPLE:
For people whose brains hum in the beta range (above 14 hertz),
arousal levels are naturally high and need to be brought down to
reach alpha. Focus is difficult to maintain, not because not enough
information is being absorbed, but because there is an overload of
information.
Imagine someone who is overcome with
fear and anxiety in performing a task. Or a performance artist or a
tennis player being distracted by every sneeze or noise in the
audience.
People who can access an Alpha state
tend to demonstrate superior performance on both physical and mental
tests. And people who find their optimum Alpha level perform at
their highest level.
Generally we use Beta frequencies for
high-level learning and when in the fight or flight response mode.
Unfortunately this is where what Zen Masters call our constantly
chattering ‘Monkey Mind' resides.
For some people the very act of trying
to raise to an Alpha level can take weeks of practice to achieve.
The Alpha state isn't easy to just naturally ‘achieve' out of
nowhere, unless you have been trained to do it consciously.
How to fast track the
Self-Regulating Arousal process using Neurofeedback technology.
With the aid of new breakthrough, affordable Neurofeedback technology
the Neuro Coach can also help manage levels of arousal
in adults and children. The technology's special ability to allow
the user to access a mental
state has proved a highly effective way of reaching alpha frequencies.
When the mind is at ease, so too is
the body. Fight/flight responses become normal, muscles relax, and
the body’s natural pH balance is less acidic as a result of normal
adrenal gland secretion and endocrine function. Business
professionals, sportspersons and students alike are able to
strategize and plan more effectively when not clouded by anxiety and
high states of arousal.
How many chokes, blunders, or missed
opportunities occur every
day in the world around us? What if our clients are able to remain
calm and control their arousal levels? It’s fair to say that they
can create a more desirable future for themselves.
With
brainwave entrainment
(Neurofeedback technology such as
Muse)
the user drifts into a peaceful,
calm and relaxed state in just a few minutes. It's easy to do, fun
and as explained above, highly beneficial.
Accessing our Alpha brain waves helps us to feel more centered,
chilled, confident and less anxious.
Neurofeedback technology
In
order to add neurofeedback coaching services to a practice (NFB
services), a Neuro Coach needs professional standard Neurofeedback
equipment.
Fortunately the latest technology is inexpensive and easy to use.
Neurofeedback equipment has changed dramatically over the
last few years. Dozens of head sensors and bulky monitoring
equipment that cost 100,000's of dollars has been replaced by
attractive headwear and a smartphone APP (that costs a few hundred
dollars only). The professional practice
headwear sensor (as used today by universities and hospitals) sends the
brainwave signals to computerised EEG software on a APP. The
feedback is in the form of a visual display and sounds that are
driven by the client's EEG. The special APP's software (for
neurofeedback practitioners) provides their client sounds and visual
displays that guides them to a deep relaxing state.
Muse
Muse's specially designed headwear sensors is recognized as
world-best standard technology used by universities, hospitals,
Doctors, Psychologists and other professionals engaged in brain
training.
Developing mastery of our own mind requires that you are able
to measure what is going on in your brain and mind. By using the
latest Neurofeedback technology a window to the brain can be opened
that allows the user to measure and develop mastery of everything in
a new expanded state of relaxed awareness.
Yogis, Buddhist monks, western mystics and Chinese sages
achieved deep mind states and delved into their subconscious in
secure and isolated environments. The difficulty we face in our
modern world is that there are so many things that can detune our
sensitive brains – electromagnetic pollution, toxins in the
environment and food, pathogens, poor diet, long term stress, trauma
and negative vibes from others and the news that focuses on
sensationalised negativity. Children are even more vulnerable to
these brain stressors.
Summary
Neurofeedback can be a very effective additional Neurocoaching tool to help
practitioners guide their clients through the important relaxation
first stage of the coaching process.
The brain has a remarkable ability to naturally heal and change
itself. Now, with the second generation neurofeedback technology
Neuro Coaches can empower their clients to have instant access to
their unconscious. Combined with Neurocoaching methodology the possibilities are endless.
The need to maintain an engaged state of mind to achieve consistent
peak performance.
An engaged state of mind exists when your focus is external, on
something in your immediate environment, and when you’re performing
at your best. If you can drive, you might recall the moment when you
first drove somewhere on your own without thinking, Check mirror,
change gear, right blinker, but instead your attention was
completely on the road ahead and the other motorists while you sang
along to the radio. Or you might recall the first time you skied to
the bottom of a slope and you were not quite sure how you got there,
but it felt great.
When you are absorbed by what you are doing, you are engaged and
totally present. By not judging yourself, you interfere less with
the task at hand and allow your potential to take over.
This is what is called
flow.
Our Neurocoaching Course Change Models (focusing on Emotions and
attached Beliefs and our Sense of Self) allow us to help our clients
to not only engage a preferred state of mind to enhance performance
but also to totally reset their mindset to build a better, longterm
future.
Includes Extracts from ‘Neurofeedback for Peak Performance Training’
(2017) Journal of Mental Health Counseling 39:1,
71-83. 10-Jan-2017.
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