There was another video from Mr Hirotada Henmi after the boys’ last class at Heguru. As always, the recording has been translated from Japanese and this is my interpretation of what was explained:

Once you open up the right brain, the next step is to develop its image power. What’s the value of imaging? In right brain education, it is called “imaging” but I think sports individuals are probably more familiar with the term “visualising”. This imaging ability can help in many ways. Here are a couple of examples given by Mr Henmi:

• When working on a sculpture, some artists need to first draw a picture of the structure they intend to create. When you are able to utilise the right brain‘s image function, you don’t need the picture because you can visualise the structure in your mind and work on your sculpture by looking at the picture in your mind.
• When a runner wants to improve performance, he can use the right brain’s image function to visualise himself running as if from a third person’s perspective (as if he was watching himself run on the TV) so that he can identify areas of improvement.

In other words, the power of imaging allows individuals to work more efficiently and effectively.

To extrapolate from the message shared, I am sure many sports persons are familiar with the benefits of visualisation. One of the most interesting things about the brain is that memory and fantasy are stored similarly. There is little difference between a memory and a fantasy to the brain. Therefore, visualising an event in your mind can be the same as experiencing it as far as the brain is concerned. So if you cannot practice physically, practicing in your mind is as effective if you can create an image as clear and as real as it might have been if you were really there.

It might sound like I’m talking in circles so here’s an example from The Mind Gym:

Gary Mack writes about a man who was imprisoned in a POW camp for years. To escape from the reality of his imprisonment, he would imagine himself playing golf everyday while in his cell. When he was finally freed, his golf handicap improved even though he hadn’t held a golf club in years. Just by visualising himself playing golf everyday, he managed to improve his game without physically playing the game. That’s the power of imaging.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads