What is Transformational Guided Imagery?
Simply put, visualization is the process of forming mental images; it is the primary component of the imagination. Visualization is at the core of the human ability to create, innovate and dream.
Many of history’s inventors and artists attribute their success to an exceptional ability to visualize. Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Henry Ford and the great composer, Chopin all reported using creative visualization to spark their imaginations. Additionally, Albert Einstein once said that he came up with the theory of relativity byimagining what would happen if he could travel through space on the tip of a light beam.
Creative visualization can transport you out of a state of stress or fear, and into a new space of inner calm, peace and tranquility. Additionally, a natural byproduct of creative visualization occurs when the body goes loose and limp, thereby creating the relaxation response – the perfect state for learning, healing, or focusing on goals.
Mind/Body Healing
Visualization has long been the primary tool for mind/body healing. From a scientific perspective, we know that, because visualization directly impacts the body’s neurological system, it can have a direct influence on us physically.
Try this for an example. Imagine I have just handed you a large, yellow, juice-filled lemon. You slice the lemon into quarters and bring one of the quarters to your mouth and bite into it… what happened? Did your mouth begin to pucker? Did it fill with saliva? This is a naturally occurring neurological response to an imagined thought.
Have you ever watched a horror film and, in the midst of the excitement, found that your palms were sweating and your heart was pounding? You knew it was “just a movie”, though, right?
If your mind can cause this kind of impact on the body, is there any reason it can’t relax your muscles, overpower nicotine, stimulate your metabolism, do away with chronic pain, or even trigger the immune system to eliminate unwanted cancer cells?
Why Use Creative Visualization and Guided Relaxation Together?
We all have an inner critic, a part of our mind that, based on past experience, will reject unfamiliar information without proper evaluation. This is known as the critical factor. Studies have shown that relaxation techniques subdue this critical factor, and make you receptive to new ideas. Even though it may seem counterintuitive to “let go in order to gain control,” this is exactly what happens during the relaxation response.
Through these visualization techniques, you experience positive and appropriate ways to imagine your personal goals.
This helps you remain optimistic and motivated toward the changes that bring about your success.
TGI Provides the Missing Link to Wellness
Recent research shows that excessive stress can suppress the immune system. Therefore, it’s vital to incorporate a program of stress reduction and relaxation into your everyday routine. By reducing anxiety and stress, and increasing relaxation, you can boost your immune system and use your own unlimited resources to improve your life.
But don’t think TGI is only a nice, relaxing daydream. People who regularly relax with TGI processes enjoy a number of side-benefits. These may include:
- Increased blood flow to the brain, resulting in clearer thinking, better concentration, improved memory and enhanced creativity
- A 21% increase in serotonin, which calms the mind and body and creates an overall sense of well-being
- A 25% increase in endorphins, the hormones that flow through your body when you feel happy- Better sleep patterns. Twenty minutes of TGI can be equivalent to 3-4 hours of sleep, so you may find yourself sleeping less, feeling more rested, accomplishing more, and finding extra enjoyment in life
- Soaring energy levels
- More fulfilling relationships
- Improved career satisfaction
- A clearer sense of purpose
- And last, but certainly not least, a seemingly effortless ability to manage stress
