Super Learning

       Alpha Brainwaves provide the optimum learning state for the brain. Ten things everyone should know about Alpha Brainwaves and Ten Easy ways to achieve the best mental state for learning. Research has found that the ideal state for learning is when the brain is in a relaxed, but aware state.

So when we say relaxed, we do not mean asleep. We mean relaxed, is focussed and aware!

At this point the brainwaves run at about 8 to 12 cycles per seconds or hertz. This is called the alpha state. This compares with the 'normal' state of 13-25 hertz which is called the beta state. The beta state is that of most of our waking moments as we go about our daily lives. At the other end of the spectrum we find, just below the alpha level, the theta state which is even slower than alpha, and an even deeper sense of relaxation. It is however more difficult to achieve, and really requires one to have the ability to meditate deeply. It is a highly creative state. Slower still is the state of sleep which is the delta state.


Ten Easy Ways to achieve the Alpha State

It can be achieved in a number of ways and most of us achieve it at some during most days. A typical time may be just before one goes to sleep, or as one wakes. At this time the mind is clear, receptive to information, and rapidly makes 'connections', realisations and joins up thoughts.

Many an 'AHA !' or 'EUREKA' moment comes at these times. This was no doubt the state that Archimedes was in a good relaxed state when he launched himself out of the bath and down the street in his birthday suit. The state is also great for releasing stress.

#1 Alpha Technique - Classical Superlearning Music for optimum accelerated learning
Researchers have found that certain music types ease the brainwaves into the relaxed 'alpha state' that is ideal for Superlearning. A number of sources provide such recordings which can be great for
providing the background for a more effective learning session. One form of this superlearning music is the largo movements of certain Baroque composers. The largo movements are around 40 to 60 beats per minute.

One can simply select this 'optilearning' or 'superlearning' music by clicking that selection on the Options menu to have one of a choice of Baroque classics playing in the background, while one learns French, German or Spanish vocabulary.

#2 - Meditation
Meditation is a great way to get to an alpha state. There are many types of meditation methods including the famed 'Transcendental Meditation'.

#3 Alpha Brainwaves Technique - Yoga
Certain relaxing yoga styles can be affective way to get into the
relaxed optilearning state.

#4 Relaxation & Super Learning via Floatation in a Float Tank
One of the most rapid, and effective methods for getting in to an Alpha state is through the use of a floatation tank. Floating has been done for centuries in the waters of places such as
the Dead Sea. But the modern floating phenomema was discovered by experimenting with
sensory deprivation. There are many commercial float centres worldwide where you can float
for 40 to 60 minutes and drift in to a deeply relaxed state, perfect for superlearning languages, or any subject. The float tank is like a very large bath, with a cover. Water comes up to about 50 centimetres and it has about 600 kilograms of Epsom Salts dissolved in it. The salts make the water very dense, so that whole body floats unaided, and without the need to flap or kick. Stress just melts away, and in float tanks with speakers fitted they can be used to pipe music or learning material into while you float in a relaxed, meditative state. The physical relaxation on the body is also wonderfully de-stressing for the body.

#5 The Jose Silva Method as a tool for Superlearning
Jose Silva developed a method of dynamic meditation which is effective at getting the user in to an Alpha state.

#6 Relaxation through Breathing
Rythmnic breathing in a relaxed posture and a peaceful environment is important for getting to the alpha state. Rythmnic breathing techniques are taught by many eastern relaxation disciplines. Yoga, aikido, tai-chi to name a few. Language learning is enhanced when students are 'fed' new information
in regularly timed 'shots' of information. Having the 'Excelearning' mode selected. In this mode, words and 'Memory Triggers' and sent out in timed bursts during which the student is prompted to breathe in, hold the breathe, and then breathe out. The breathing prompts clear the mind, and allow the student to focus and concentrate on the material being learned.

#7 Rapid-Alpha using Light and Sound Machines - Brainwave Synchronizers
In the 1930's scientists found that strobes tend to cause brainwaves to follow the frequency pattern of the light. They also found that brainwaves follow the pulse of rhythmic sound. For centuries man has beaten drums around the fireplace to achieve a deeply meditative, hypnotic trance-like state... so there's nothing new there! Technology has enabled us to harness the two at accurate pulse-rates to effortlessly achieve brainwave synchronization. How do Brainwave Synchronizers work? There are a number of light and sound machines available which help one get to an alpha state.

Most have a thing that looks like a pair of large sunglasses into which lights are flashed at different frequencies. Different coloured light bulbs allow the machine to vary the colours and patterns can be
varied by varying the inputs between the left and right eye. You lie on a bed with the 'glasses' on and close your eyes. Switch on for 'instant meditation'. At the same time you can put on a headset through which rhythmic sounds are sent. The combination puts you into a deeply relaxed state, providing of course you have chosen such a setting. The Headphones part of Brainwave Synchronizers
Researchers have found that if you put regularly pulsing sound at the one frequency in one ear, and sound at another frequency in the other ear, your brain will pulse at a frequency equal to the difference
between the two frequencies.
So if you put sound of 100 cycles per second (hertz) in the left ear and 110 hertz in the right ear, your brainwaves will pulse at 10 hertz.... ALPHA!
Of course by combining light and sound, at selected frequency you will understand how easily and effortlessly you can achieve the alpha state with a Brainwave Synchronizer.

#8 Alpha Technique - Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a system of training one's body to respond to various mental commands. There are now a number of machines that can help you with this.

#9  Autogenics
Another form of biofeedback.

#10  Alpha Technique - Before sleep
One naturally enters the alpha state as one falls asleep, and when one slowly and naturally wakes up.
The blast of the alarm clock will shatter through theta-delta-alpha and to beta. How does one harness this 'alpha state' on waking. Simple. As you awaken, just lie there and consciously direct your thoughts to the learning material you are covering, or the topics that you need to address. This is particularly easy when you have no pressure to get out of bed, say on a weekend.

* You can use a non-alarm type alarm clock. Use one of those that just wakes you up gently, for example like with quiet music that very slowly builds up.

General Breath Exercise

       According to the experts, correct breathing is when the stomach expands moving the hand out with the in breath and deflating moving the hand inwards when you breathe out. Reverse Breathing is the opposite i.e. if your hand moves inwards on the in breath and outwards on the out breathe. The simple logic behind correct breathing is that you should be inflating the stomach like a balloon when breathing in and deflating the balloon when breathing out. If you reverse breathe it means that you are trying to fill up something that is deflating. This is particularly important for those persons who suffer from pressure, stress and anxiety this will really affect their coping mechanism.


Breathing Exercises

       Here at the Bioenergy Healing Clinic we teach Breathing Exercises as part of the 5 elements to RaphaYad Bioenergy Healing treatment. Breathing exercises are just as important as eating, drinking and sleeping. They need to be incorporated into your day. The easy thing about the following breathing exercises is that you do not have to take time out to do them. They can be incorporated into your normal day. You can do them on the train or bus, in the car, watching television, whilst ironing or cooking, at your office desk. A few minutes regularly throughout the day and you will see positive results within days!!!!

How do I know it works? "Because I do the breathing exercises myself, and just like my clients I reap the benefits"..

Have you done the breathe check? If you haven't you need to do it!

LEVEL 1 Straight Line Breathing

• Stand or sit down keeping your spine straight, with you chin forward.

• Place your hand over your belly button.

• Before you take the first in breathe pull your stomach in. This will allow you to gain fuller movement when you take the in breathe.

• Keep your mouth closed and take an extended BREATHE IN through the nose into you abdominal area. As you breathe in push your hand out with your stomach muscles. As you get to the end of the breath open the chest and fill it with the remaining air

• Slowly BREATHE OUT through the nose with control, pulling your stomach in with your stomach muscles and use your hand to push it in whilst relaxing the shoulders.

• Make sure the out-breathe is the same length as the in-breathe. Continue with steps 5 and 6. Make sure you can hear your breathe (except in public places where you may want to be more discreet) and you can see the stomach moving as this will help you to build up a rhythm. As you get more proficient try to extend the length of the breath. When you find this level easy and you have extended the length of the breath then move onto level 2.

Reverse Breathers - Before you can move onto the next level you must correct your breathing technique. At first this new way of breathing may feel strange, demanding, tiring, exerting. That's normal when having to re-train the breath. Just remember the more you practice the easier it becomes. If you feel lightheaded this can be a normal reaction to filling you lungs up with clean(er) air. Take a moment, make sure you are steady on your feet otherwise sit down until you have recovered.

LEVEL 2 Triangular Breathing

The main difference here is that there is a hold between the in and out breathe. The hold should be the same length of the in and out breathe. Therefore all sides of the triangle are of equal length.

• Place your hand over your belly button (if necessary to guide you).

• Keep your mouth closed and take an extended BREATHE IN as in LEVEL 1.

• Hold the breathe for the same length as the in-breathe.

• Slowly BREATHE OUT as in LEVEL 1.

Continue with steps 3 to 5. There should not be a strain and similarly you shouldn't find yourself catching your breath. If this happens shorten the length of the sides of the triangle otherwise go back to level 1. When you find this level easy and you have extended the length of the breath then move onto level 3.

LEVEL 3 Square Breathing

This level of breathing has 2 holds. The 1st between the in and out breathe and a 2nd after the out breathe. The holds should be the same length of the in and out breathe. Therefore all sides of the square are of equal length.

• Keep your mouth closed and take an extended BREATHE IN as in LEVEL 1.

• Hold the breathe for the same length as the in-breathe.

• Slowly BREATHE OUT as in LEVEL 1.

• Hold the breathe for the same length as the in-breathe.

Continue with steps 2 to 5. There should not be a strain and similarly you shouldn't find yourself catching your breath. If this happens shorten the length of the sides of the square otherwise go back to level 2. When you find this level easy and you have experimented by extending the length of the breath then move onto level 4.

LEVEL 4 Rectangular Breathing

This level is similar to square breathing except that the 2 holds are longer than the in and out breathes. Make sure both holds are the same length. The shorter in and out breaths are also the same length. Just like a rectangle you have 2 long sides and 2 short sides.

• Keep your mouth closed and take an extended BREATHE IN as in LEVEL 1.

• Hold the breathe for an extended lengthlonger than the in-breathe.

• Slowly BREATHE OUT as in LEVEL 1.

• Hold the breathe for an extended length(the same length as the 1st hold).

Continue with steps 2 to 5. There should not be a strain and similarly you shouldn't find yourself catching your breath. If this happens shorten the length of the sides of the rectangle otherwise go back to level 3. When you find this level easy and you have extended the length of the breath try the Therapeutic Breathing technique.

Therapeutic Breathing

Therapeutic breathing is where you can direct the breath into a particular part of the body, where you may have an injury, illness or ailment. Just as importantly you can use it to stimulate or cleanse an organ or part of the body that is weak or under-active.

Breathing Exercises is a healing process in its own right as used by some practitioners. It can be quite transforming and invigorating on one level. Yet on another level it can be calming or relaxing.
By taking the breath into a specific region of the body can:

1. Stimulate it
2. Send signals to your brain to (re-) activate the healing mechanism to this area
3. Open up the connective pathways
4. Increase the saturation of oxygen to the blocked points
5. Increase circulation
6. Release pain
7. Reduce emotional and psychological trauma
8. Calm stress and anxiety

Therapeutic Breathing utilities the techniques used in Level 3 Square breathing. However instead of directing the breath into your abdominal area you direct it into the particular part of the body.
Read technique notes below.

Decide on the region or part of the body that you are going to breathe into. For a moment take your mind and eyes to that region. Then sense the direct route it will take to go from your nose to the target location and then back out through the nose.

Keep your mouth closed, take an extended BREATHE IN along the route, filling every cell along the route to the target location. The route can fill thick like squeezing toothpaste or it may flow as easy as oil.

• Hold the breathe for the same length as the in-breathe.

• Slowly BREATHE OUT from the target area, feeling each cell empty out through the nose.

• Hold the breathe for the same length as the in-breathe.

Continue with steps 2 to 6. There should not be a strain and similarly you shouldn't find yourself catching your breath. If this happens shorten the length of the sides of the square otherwise go back to level 3 to practice the square breathing technique. As you become more proficient with the technique you can extend the length of the holds as you did in Level 4 Rectangular Breathing.


      >> ** IMPORTANT ** <<

1. Please read before starting breathing exercises
2. Always try to approach the breathing exercises in a relaxed frame of mind.
3. If you are stressed, anxious or emotional allow the breath to calm and relax you. In particular utilise the technique, where possible, at the onset of a symptoms.
4. All techniques involves control with smooth in and out breathes.
5. Build a rhythm by listening to the breathe, focusing on the shape of the technique or the movement of air.
6. Feel the flow and movement of air through the body.
7. Don't try too hard.
8. Find a way to incorporate the breathing exercises periodically throughout your day.
9. Do not combine breathing techniques with physical exercise or sports until you feel confident and that it is of benefit to the activity you are doing. It should be noted that some activities require natural breathing techniques. Breathing exercises done before an activity will be of huge benefit.
10. If you have a heart or cardiovascular condition, high or low blood pressure or a condition or illness that could be affected by the breathing exercises then please seek medical advice before commencing breathing exercises.
11. The breathing exercises should not replace other forms of treatment, however they will compliment them in most cases.
12. If you feel unsteady on your feet take a moment out, relax, sit down until you feel steady again.
13. If you are not used to deep breathing techniques you can sometimes feel light headed. After a short time this will dissipate as your body becomes more accustomed to the exercises.
14. If you feel dizzy or light headed and are finding it difficult to recover then move into a recovery position by carefully lowering your body to the floor. Laying on your back, raise your lower legs onto a chair. This will increase blood circulation to the head and enable you to normalise.
15. There are many different types of breathing exercises taught. The suggested exercises will be suitable for most people but not all.
16. Make sure what you do is enjoyable and effective.

Please feel free to email the administration office breath here , to get further information or advice on the breathing exercises. Use the breathing exercises to experiment and explore your body.
Share your experiences and what you have learnt with others. Air is free! :)