Having spent some time reading other peoples progression on the course via their blogs I have come across some really interesting research which will benefit my own inquiry.
Heather Smith recently posted a blog regarding 'Hypnotherapy' for performers as support or 'coping' mechanism for dancers dealing with pressures of the industry.
"Hypnotherapy is a type of complementary therapy that uses hypnosis, which is an altered state of consciousness." (NHS online)
"HYPNOTHERAPY is the application of psychotherapeutic techniques in such a way as to bring about positive therapeutic benefits for the client, whilst the client is in a relaxed and comfortable state referred to as a hypnotic trance. A Therapist acts a guide enabling the client to activating their inner resources in order to achieve therapeutic goals." (Walsall mind and body centre)
Having read her blog, I decided to do my own reading on this and have highlighted below some of the main benefits of Hypnotherapy for dancers.
- Reduce stress - stress can be related to other health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and sleep disorders so in turn could potentially reduce risk of such awful health conditions.
- Relaxation
- Meditative state
- Recuperate mind and body
- Body to repair and heal itself - body needs to be in a relaxed state in order to repair
- Weight control
- Eating disorders
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sport
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
- Sleep problems
- Panic attacks
- Headaches
- Pain
- Fear
- Relaxation
- Concentration
- Motivation
- Personal growth
- Fulfilment
Howes has experienced 38 years as an Actor, Theatre Director, Writer and Singer so he is an Expert in the performing arts world as well as having experience working in Harley Street as a Hypnotheapist specialising in Perfomer's Problems, he mentions, 'Stress and Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Anger Management, Panic Attacks Worry and Anxiety are very real problems for Performers'
In his sessions he teaches a number of tried a tested strategies. I was interested to read that there are specialists hypnotheapists for performers and i feel performers may feel they can relate to Howes as he has experience of being a performer himself."
This sparked interest in me to find out if there are other Hypnotherapists which deal directly with dancers and performers. I came across the works of Kirsty Hanly.
Kirsty is a fully qualified Coach and Cognitive Hypnotherapist Master Practitioner, writer and speaker. She previously studied Stage Management and Theatre Production at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and then went on to attain a degree in Arts Management at the University of Greenwich. Evidently Kirsty has had her own professional training in 'The Arts' and therefore I believe holds the experience required to understand the pressures of training and the industry first hand. I believe sometimes it is hard to believe someone understands when they have not gone through it themselves. Not to say every performer suffers the same pressures or amount of but I do feel that having gone through professional training you experience or witness the types of pressures that affect performers and for me personally, that therapist then holds more credibility and experience.
Kirsty comments "Over a number of years spent working in the creative industries I developed a strong interest in self development and in what it takes for people to achieve their full potential. Through my own personal development path I discovered Cognitive Hypnotherapy and Coaching and was amazed at the positive changes that it can bring about."
From this I seem to have the impression that Kirsty too thinks her experience in 'The Arts' has informed her practice. I have included the following quotation as I think it is an important description of why and how Hypnotherapy can help.
"I have a passion in helping people to get more out of their lives, to discover their true potential and to start to live to their dreams. People who have worked with me often say that their lives have completely turned around career-wise, in their relationships and in the way they feel about themselves, often going on to create things in their lives that they previously hadn’t thought possible.
I work with my clients on how to deal with stresses, anxiety and confidence issues and what they can do once they are able to release limiting beliefs and blocks to success. I also specialise in working with people in the performance and entertainment industries, including helping them with stage fright, audition technique and in breaking through any blocks they might have to being the best they can be at their craft."
Heather also shares on her blog, information about The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH). She explains how it "offers information on local hypnotherapists in your area, you can enter your location and it will show up specialists in your area. It holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the UK." I think this is a very useful website for a generalised search however the results will not pin point hypnotherapists which specialise in the therapy for Dancers or Performers. As Heather points out however, "some performers may feel more relaxed if they have an outside view away from the performing arts 'bubble'."
As I am currently in the process of improving and amending my questionnaire, I will add 'Hypnotherapy' to question whether any dancers is vocational training have tried this kind of therapy or if they are aware that it exists.
I am continually finding out new information on the support available for dancers and I hope through my inquiry that I will be able to increase awareness of the help out there. It could also lead to further inquiries to see whether awareness actually improves practice/training conditions and experiences for Dancers. Furthermore, in the near future to compare what was available in the past in terms of support and what is available now.
Bibliography
Connect Hypnotherapy: Online. Available at: http://connecthypnotherapy.com/10-benefits-of-hypnotherapy (Accessed 10th March 2015)
Howes, Graham. Online. Available at: http://www.hypnotherapy-colchester-ipswich.com/wp/171-2/ (Accessed 10th March 2015)
National Council for Hypnotherapy: Online. Available at: http://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk (Accessed 10th March 2015)
NHS. Online. Available at:http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/hypnotherapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed 10th March 2015)
Smith, Heather. Online. Available at http://heathersophiesmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/hypnotherapy-for-performers.html?showComment=1425980005640#c1962027209684118886 (Accessed 10th March 2015)
Walsall mind and body centre. Online. Available at http://walsallmindandbody.co.uk/our-services/hypnotherapy/ (Accessed 10th March 2015)
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