It seems like a "poor man's" or lazy guy's autogenic training. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training

It seems like a "poor man's" or lazy guy's autogenic training. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training Did it for quite awhile. And I got great results, amongst them: lucid dreaming, increased focus, reduced anxiety. I used to race downhill bikes at the time - and autogenic training combined with autosuggesty actually helped me reach previously inconceivable levels of performance. What the book and the article gets wrong (and probably most people who are trying it) is the time frame in which you perform your training. You absolutely must not think in past or future tense. Form the mantra in present - it doesn't matter if the statements don't sound right. Present yourself with affirmative thoughts and you will get considerably confident and motivated about your goals. Before races I would repeat in my mind(speaking or murmuring is even better): I am well trained. I am well prepared for the task ahead of me. I know the track. I am calm. My heart rate is low. I am a champion. On this track I am the dog to beat. - while visualizing the track and breathing slowly. You see I learned this while suffering grave lack of self esteem due to insane levels of preparation and training that left me lacking any considerable results. I also suffered due to lack of acknowledgement of my skill from other riders. And then I came across this writing that proposed that Ego does need to get stroked and patted for confidence. BUT that it is not necessary for other people to do it, any kind of encouragement works - even self induced. This is a case where build it and they will come actually works.