Learn how to Relax Deeply
The process described here for deep relaxation is also known as progressive relaxation, autogenic training and relaxation response.
Some of the benefits of practicing deep relaxation are accelerated healing, rejuvenation, greater level of energy and enhanced focus and concentration.
If you've ever found yourself deeply exhausted after hard work, then you may remember how easy it was to let go and let your body completely relax, and perhaps you even found yourself falling asleep.
In order to discover how easily you can relax, you may choose to first tense your body. So, tense your first as much as you can as if were holding something tiny and precious and want to make sure it doesn't wiggle out of your hand. Squeeze your fist with all your might and hold the tension as long as you can. When you can't hold the tension any longer, just let go and let your fist relax. See how easy it is?
When you practice progressive relaxation, you can begin by tensing different groups of muscles from the top of your head all the way down to your feet - all the muscles on your head, your eyes, face, lips, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, back, chest, buttocks, legs, feet.
An alternative method for deep relaxation involves the use of your imagination. Lay down on the floor and imagine that you are laying down stretched on a white circle. Then just as in the above exercise, focus on different parts of your body, beginning from your head all the way down to your feet. As you focus upon each part of your body, imagine that part of your body becoming limp and as heavy as lead and then imagine that part of the circle where that part of your body is resting colored black.
The first time I did this variation of the progressive relaxation exercise I was about 14 years old - and happily all alone at home and free to indulge in the experiment. It has worked so extraordinarily well for me that I found myself completely glued to the floor. Then I began to panic because it seemed I was permanently stuck to the floor because as hard as I tried, I couldn't move any part of my body. After about 15 minutes of freaking out, it crossed my mind that all I need to do is just do the exercise backwards and imagine each part of my body colored white. It worked.
As you work and experiment with hypnosis, you're yet to discover how powerful your mind is and how much power your mind and imagination exert over your body. If you'd like to do some other experiments - go here to listen to the free hypnosis download "Introduction to hypnosis."
If you'd like to listen to a hypnosis recording for deep relaxation, you can get one here.
c) 2004, Dr. Laura De Giorgio,
www.hypnosis-kids.com
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