Jayne Storey Performance Coaching

There is a new episode of the Performance Practice Podcast out this week. My guest is Jeff Ogden from Perform 72— a golf coach, entrepreneur, and lifelong student of the game who studied the Chi Performance methodology with me for several years before sharing it with his players.

Here’s how the conversation started:

Modern golf psychology often teaches players what to do mentally on the course — routines, checklists, self-talk, emotional management and focus systems. But Chi Performance approaches the problem very differently: not by controlling the mind during performance, but by preparing the player beforehand through breath, movement, grounding, rhythm and nervous system training. Have we reached a point where golf has become too focused on managing performance during play instead of preparing the player deeply enough before play?

Listen to previous episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/show/02jvJ2KoFejBjK0pTw

Removing the blocks and limitations to performance.

Self-observation is a method that I use with my clients from golf, business and the performing arts such as music. It is one of the most important steps to removing the blocks and limitations to performing under pressure, because once we begin to observe how we think, feel and act, we start the processes of reversing negative and restricting behaviours that can undermine our true ability.

It’s important to understand that this is NOT a psychological intervention and we’re not looking to reframe negative thoughts or use positive self-talk; it’s simply the act of observing what is going on in your body, your mind and your breathing.

Seeing the effects of nerves and anxiety and all the mental chatter without trying to stop it, alter it or push it away, causes a very subtle change in and of itself simply because you can see it.

Looking through the lens of the observer mind or the witness consciousness (known as the Purusha in Vedic philosophy) means you’re already slightly detached from the negative effects of stress, a little freer - and if you can stay with this process while keeping some connection with your body and breathing, your biochemistry will gently move into the relaxation response.

This is just one of the ways centuries-old disciplines help us to quiet the mind and attain peak performance.

Listen to my new audio book to learn more. Search online.