The very first EEG recording was made by Hans Berger in
1924. He identified a regular, rhythmical pulse, oscillating at 10 cycles per second.
This brain wave was named ‘Alpha’.
Alpha states are associated with a deep inner calm and
have been seen to increase during meditation. Neurofeedback training can enhance alpha and thereby improve cognitive flexibility
and enhance creativity.
‘it has had a wonderful impact on
my life…enhancing my general feeling of wellbeing…and I have no doubt that it has had a positive effect on my
performances…it is about a state of mind’
Award-winning
pianist, Cassie Yukawa.
‘ With a predominance of Theta waves (4-8 Hz), focus is on the internal world, a world of hypnogogic imagery
where an ‘inner healer’ is often said to be encountered. Alpha brain waves (8-13 Hz) may be
considered a bridge from the external world to the internal world and vice versa' White (1999)
‘..I do think the alpha theta work has been really helpful as I feel
I can let go and relax at a deeper level with far less fear of 'going inside'. I also feel that my brain is working
better in so many ways ..’ AH.
In alpha/theta training, the aim
is to allow alpha to rise and then to drop away and for theta to predominate. In the theta state, repressed
memories and feelings can be gently processed, and the resolution of emotional issues, including trauma,
can occur without any need to ‘relive’ events or even to speak about them. The limbic system (emotional brain)
can be cooled down, allowing the frontal lobes (executive brain) to process information and properly organise events in memory.
This process is not only useful in a clinical setting (in
the treatment of personality disorders, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder) but it has
also been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for enhancing well-being and creativity.
"... with neurotherapy (neurofeedback) we are compressing time, and, in less than 2 months, achieving results
that adepts such as yogis experience only after many years of meditating."
Nancy White PhD. Clinical Psychologist.
|
|
