"Your images lead your reality. They always have and always will." Terry Orlick


We all have heard
countless times how much we can achieve if we put our minds into it. Imagery
takes this past sentence to another level. According to J.M. Williams,
"Imagery is simply a mental technique that programs the mind and body to
respond optimally." (2010) Whether you are an Olympic athlete, a weekend
warrior, or not even practice any specific sport you will benefit of the many
qualities of imagery. Research have proved several times how much it can
improve the preformance of an athlete, the anxiety of an actress before going
out on stage, and many other situations that requires staying relaxed and
focus. Many elite athletes confess to utilize imagery as part of their training
program and to be a key factor of their success. So, how does it works? Can
anybody use it? Let's go ahead and learn more about this facinating method.

Friday, December 9, 2011

..and to finish..

I'm going to use Utay & Koksza's (2007) articles finalization to end my participation of this Imagery blog. I chose it because it give (again) an example of what imagery is... enjoy!


"Your journey is over, for now... Some
of what you read may have been new and
interesting... Some may have been a useful
review... Perhaps you feel this is just the tip
of the iceberg of research in guided imagery...
And you are correct... You can feel thankful
for thisjournal facilitating this learning experience...
And, you can congratulate yourself
for your open mindedness to the potential
usefulness of guided imagery... You might
be able right now to imagine learning more
about guided imagery... Or maybe using it
with one of yourclients... Oryourself... You
can return to this article, this safe place of
learning, any time you wish... You can move
on to another article now knowing there will
be many opportunities for further learning
about guided imagery in upcoming hours,
days, weeks, months and years..." (Utay &
Kojsza, 2003).

Sources:

the PETTLEP model

Here is a video that will help you to further understand the PETTLEP model of visualization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8jBkIT3wTA&feature=related

coach approach to imagery..

Coaches approach on teaching imagery to his athletes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN8nq_XiIPA&feature=related

visualization as a training tool

"Imagery as a mental training tool involves the systematic practice and use of imagery to engage in vivid and controllable poly sensory imager to enhance performance." (Williams, 2010).
This video is shows how a gymnist use the visualization technique during training to improve performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD06AfbmFlY&feature=related

tools to determine your ability of visualization

Following you will find a link of a video that shows how a questionnaire is used as a tool to measure the visualizations ability of individuals. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oddJSEpUMrs

Imagery and injuries...

Imagery is being used in the medical field especially in the rehabilitation area. For injured athletes it has been incorporated as part of their therapeutic process and the positive results have been shown on several studies. The reason why imagery has been included in these type treatments has to do with the research indications of how the brain reacts to the stimulus that vivid visualization provokes (Jeannerod, 1994, in Williams, 2010). The role of imagery in sport rehabilitation is broad, it covers motivational aspects of the recovery, aids in the coping mechanism (accepting the injury/dealing with depression), is used as a tool for managing the pain, and other utilizations (Miller et. al.,2006 & Driediger et. al.,2007).
Sources:
MOLLY DRIEDIGER; CRAIG HALL1, & NICHOLA CALLOW. Imagery use by injured athletes: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Sports Science March 2006; 24(3): 261 – 271


Williams, J.M., Applied Sport Psychology, personal growth to peak performance, sixth edition 2010









another view to visualization..

When coaches introduce imagery/visualization to their athletes they can encounter mixed reactions. Some of the athletes might never hear of the technique before, some other have, and other group believe that the coach is talking about what the book 'The Secret' is based on.
To cover all aspects of imagery I will share with you a video that gives a summarized explanation of the other facet of imagery/visualization.
click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuo9CdhFqZY&feature=related