A Brain-Based Peak Performance Model Using Meditation, EMDR & Cardio Imagery & Rehearsal

1. A Brain-Based Peak Performance Model Using Meditation, EMDR & Cardio Imagery & Rehearsal J. Patrick Gannon, PhD Peak Performance Systems San Francisco www.PeakPerformance101.com

2. Background To Study • Clinical practice working with performance issues over 10 years • Personal experience as college athlete, tennis coach, public speaker, trainer • Developing knowledge in neuroscience, exercise physiology, meditation, state dependent learning, dissociation

3. Exploratory Study of Small Sample of Performers • Singers • Musicians • Public Speakers (2) • Job Seekers (2)

4. Purpose of Study • Test 3 brain-based peak performance tools on various performance measures • Can we “imprint” new learning in brain? • Can we bypass old neural circuits that hold anxiety and “install” new circuits? • Can we install elements of Flow state? • Can we “BrainScript” new performance routines that redefines peak performance training?

5. Traditional Sport/Performance Psychology Tools • Relaxation • Goal Setting • Visualization/Imagery • Self-Talk • Concentration/Focus

6. Limitations of Traditional Peak Performance Training • Creative arts performers (not athletes) often overlook performance skills in lieu of practicing their craft • Research suggests only half benefit from psychological skill training when used. Why? • Training is not “state dependent”--skills learned in non-performance situations do not always “cross over” into performance • Hypothesis: Performance anxiety blocks execution of newly learned skills

7. Performance Anxiety • Anxiety includes trait anxiety (personality) plus state anxiety (situational) which interacts to create intensity of performance anxiety • PA is biggest barrier to peak performance • PA has a “long tail” - back to childhood trauma and past performance failures • Must be clinically treated first using EMDR, before peak performance scripts can be installed

8. Performance Stress Triggers Hardwired Survival States • PA triggers/consequence of hardwired self-preservation instincts such as “fight/flight” response • Evolutionary psychology has identified three other survival states: freeze, fright and faint. • Sequence: Freeze, Flight, Fight, Fright, Faint • Is there a sixth “F”? • Flow?

9. Study of British Conservatory Students (Gruzelier, Egner & Vernon, 2003-06) • Random assignment, coaches’ blind ratings of performance following one of six interventions: three brain states (alpha/theta, sensory-motor response and Beta1), exercise, mental skills or Alexander Technique • Results: only alpha/theta brain state training using neurofeedback showed significant performance improvement

10. Aerobic/Cardio Exercise • Aerobic exercise enhances neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in hippocampus responsible for learning and memory • Exercise produces and releases neurotransmitters affecting mood, attention, perception, motivation and arousal • Exercise stimulates blood flow in brain and release of BDNF which stimulates cell growth • Neurons that “fire together, wire together”

11. Impact of Exercise On Anxiety Reduction • Exercise acts as analgesic (pain relieving) and sedative (anti-anxiety) • Exercise reduces physical symptoms of anxiety • Exercise offers sense of mastery and control over challenging situations especially when combined with imagery and goal setting

12. Three Brain-Based Tools for Peak Performance • Meditation/Neurofeedback • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) • Cardio Imagery and Rehearsal (CIR)

13. Meditation/Neurofeedback • Promotes relaxation response, focused attention (concentration), mental discipline and reduces distractability • Builds resistance to stress • Promotes non-judgmental acceptance of self • Limitations of meditation and neurofeedback

14. EMDR • Clinical technique for PTSD, anxiety disorders, past trauma and performance anxiety • Used effectively with athletes, musicians, singers, public speakers, business and sales personnel • Triggers REM brain state allowing rapid information processing capability • Used for clearing past trauma and installing new behavioral scripts for peak performance

15. Cardio Imagery & Rehearsal (CIR) • Combines aerobic exercise concurrent with mental imagery of performance • Repeated mental rehearsal of performance routines while exercising “primes” the brain to learn new performance scripts • Repeated rehearsal activates “imprinting” of new scripts which aids memorization and performance skills • Replaces anxiety scripts with mastery scripts

16. Method • Six session training model provided • Introduction/Assessment • Training in MM, EMDR, CIR with focus on past performance problems/trauma • EMDR installation of performance scripts • Review and re-installation using EMDR • Review CIR with pre-performance plan • Follow-up assessment

17. Findings • Reduced Performance Anxiety • Improved concentration, focus, mental clarity • High engagement with Content • Good execution of the performance plan • Low level of self-consciousness • Ease of experience applying skills • Internal/External Feedback positive

18. Discussion • BrainScripting: Proposing A New Theory of Peak Performance Based on Neuroscience • Applied Neurogenesis & Neuroplasticity • Create new neural pathways supporting peak performance using EMDR to install performance scripts and Cardio Imagery and Rehearsal as a “driver” of new skill learning and neural cell growth • Training in interhemispheric coherence-balancing right and left brains using three brain-based techniques • Use meditation and neurofeedback to evoke alpha/theta brainwave on demand • Install Flow states using EMDR

19. Workshop Promo • Performance clinic for anyone wanting to reduce performance anxiety or install performance scripts • Fill out self-assessment first (hand out) • Visit website: www.PeakPerformance101.com For articles, videos, services and contact info