By David Delaney, M.A.

www.optimalperformancetraining.com

david@optimalperformancetraining.com

George (not his real name) is a seasoned singer/performer with many years of experience performing for audiences.  However, he has always had to deal with a low self-esteem issue that, even though he is loved by the audiences her performs for, he questions his skill and this affects his performance of course.  He was referred to me by a voice therapist who knew about my background in the performing arts and suspected that I might be able to help him.

 

In speaking with him, I saw that he had this self-defeating mechanism, which affected his confidence and the ability to trust his choices moment to moment; which the performing artist needs in live performance.  I have seen this with many people, especially those who have real talent but who don’t completely trust themselves.

 

Relaxation…

 

Since relaxation is the hallmark of creativity and spontaneity, those of us who provide Zengar NeuroCARE neurofeedback training have found that performing artists benefit greatly from neurofeedback training.  Training the brain (Central Nervous System or CNS) to orient to the present allows us to improve focus and concentration, strengthens our body-mind interaction, and reduces the nervousness that can inhibit our performing at our peak.

 

Research in the past 15 years has demonstrated that whatever has happened in our past be it trauma, accidents and injuries, emotional issues, mental liabilities- all can become triggered by present issues and this causes our brain to lose it’s present moment awareness and orientation.  The same neurons (nerve cells) that were involved in the original condition (the time the teacher embarrassed you in front of the class, or the time your Dad was upset and yelled at you, etc.) can be set-off by present stressful events. Therefore, your brain is acting as though that event is happening all over again with it’s attendant reactions and energy loss.

 

In this approach to neurofeedback training, because we monitor all brainwaves with an EEG in a non-linear fashion and communicate back to the brain how it is behaving comprehensively moment to moment, and since our brain is adaptable in it’s very nature our brain learns to let go of these negative events, and return to the present moment.  It is designed on the mindfulness model of observing physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts, and continually retuning to present moment focus.

 

Neuroplasticity: adaptability…

 

When our brain (which is extremely sophisticated and is all about solving the constant problems of survival) learns to orient to the present more often through this training, it becomes more adept at returning sooner to the present. Neuroplasticity, the ability of our brain to find new and more effective and efficient ways to behaving, is what this training takes advantage of. 

 

Training outcome…

 

After a series of training sessions, George is seeing that the issue with which he came in with is suddenly a non-issue.  He says that he is finding that he has more present awareness and does not notice the nagging insecurity to be an issue.  He is not sure how it went away, but all he knows is that now when he performs, he is more focused and can accept what happens even if he does it is not perfect in his mind.  He is more enjoying his time on stage and is less and less critical and judgmental of himself.

 

 

  (c) 2008-2009, David Delaney.  This is a copyright of David Delaneyand Optimal Flow Training.  All rights reserved.