| Mental rehearsal has been proven to enhance the | | | | Mental practice can be "perfect practice," boosting |
| effectiveness of actual practice and acquired skills. | | | | confidence and reducing stress better than a physical |
| Whether you're an athlete getting ready for that big | | | | practice session containing many failures. But when |
| game, an artist preparing for a concert, a businessman | | | | combined with lucid dreaming, there is much more to it. |
| anticipating an important meeting, or a valedictorian | | | | Lucid dreaming describes the ability to become |
| about to give a commencement speech, having a | | | | consciously aware in the dream state - aware that |
| successful experience in your mind beforehand greatly | | | | you are in fact dreaming and aware that you can |
| increases your chances of a positive outcome. And | | | | actually influence the course of your dreams. Why is |
| perhaps the best way to rehearse mentally - but the | | | | this so important to mental rehearsal? Because, as |
| least explored - is the art of lucid dreaming. | | | | explained by Dr. Stephen LaBerge of Stanford |
| The Ultimate Mental Rehearsal | | | | University, the activity of the brain during a dreamed |
| Sports psychologists have been telling their clients | | | | event is identical to its activity during the actual event. |
| about mental rehearsal for a long time now. How | | | | The neuronal pathways and connections that one |
| many times have golf commentators on television told | | | | needs for actual performance can therefore be |
| us that the player going through his pre-shot routine on | | | | developed during dreams. This adds an entirely new |
| the 12th tee at Augusta National is visualizing a | | | | dimension to the process of skill acquisition. |
| successful outcome - seeing himself executing a | | | | So How Can You Mentally Rehearse in Your |
| smooth swing, finishing in balance, striking the ball | | | | Dreams? |
| cleanly and sending it sailing over the water hazard to | | | | Ironically, lucid dreaming is itself a skill that you have to |
| a safe spot on the green, leaving himself a makeable, | | | | acquire through practice, and a key part of that |
| uphill putt for birdie? Of course, it doesn't always work | | | | learning process is repeatedly telling yourself that you |
| out that way, does it? But anyone who has played | | | | can become consciously aware while still dreaming - a |
| golf, never mind golf under extreme pressure, knows | | | | kind of mental practice to assist mental actions! For |
| how incredibly difficult it is. Top pros are looking for any | | | | most people, this is not a simple process, and it is |
| edge they can get over their competition, and they are | | | | understandable that very few persist long enough to |
| obviously willing to pay for their psychologists' advice. | | | | succeed. |