A Brain-Based Peak Performance Model Using Meditation, EMDR

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

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

Exploratory Study of Small Sample of Performers  Singers  Musicians  Public Speakers (2)  Job Seekers (2)

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?

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

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

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

Performance Stress Triggers Hardwired Survival States  PA triggers/consequence of hardwired selfpreservation 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?

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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