It was at the University of California – Santa Cruz where psychologist Dr. John Grinder and undergraduate student Richard Bandler created NLP. Based on the Gestalt theory in psychotherapy, nero-linguisitic programming bridged the relationship between cognitive behavior patterns and communication. This is the core basis of NLP.

The communication core of NLP is important because this link to cognition influences the way in which behave. The ability to understand these patterns and influence behavior may help an individual control weight, deal with a dread disease or trauma. It may also be use to influence buying patterns and behaviors of consumers.

The practice became part of the self-help craze of the early 1990s. It was touted as a way to access repressed memories and gain control of your emotional, physical and financial life. Such a view may be limiting however as many practitioners argue that the secret of NLP is a dynamic, not static discipline. Behavioral changes take place over time and are complicated by the evolving nature of a person’s personality. A 30-minute infomercial may not due true justice to unlocking the mysteries of human evolution.

A lawsuit in 1997 between Grinder and Bandler determined that the two co-created NLP. This brought to an end a period of contention between the two men. There are several associations throughout the world that train NLP practitioners. With out an overall governing or standards body for the discipline. Caution should be expressed when seeking the advice of an individual engaged in the practice of NLP.

NLP hypnosis techniques

How can you change someone’s life in just one week? UK Life Coach Tracy Giffen thinks she knows how. “Out goes the sergeant major approach of intimidation and bullying, crawling through mud and dawn marches,” she explains. “In comes inspiring fitness coaching making you feel motivated like never before and neuro-linguistic programming so the mind and body change together to deliver lasting results.” The process she speaks of is known as neuro linguistic programming (NLP) and it is beginning to take hold, not just in England but also in medical clinics, workout centers and workshops across the United States.

NLP was developed in the early seventies at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Scientists Richard Bandler and John Grinder were hoping to answer the question: “What makes people effective and successful?” One aspect of the study focused on language and how happy, successful individuals communicated. By analyzing how communication affected behavior, researchers were able to find some patterns. They found that certain words connected directly with people’s senses, emotions and memories. Often in NLP hypnosis, a patient will be put into a state of trance and told a story. In that story, vivid imagery will be used; for example a beautiful blue lake, white puffy clouds or a clear flowing stream. It is believed that these images will aid in their relaxation, imagination and transformation.

If you don’t think this works, then try thinking of a “rushing waterfall” or “dripping faucet” the next time you want to urinate. It works every time! In that instance, your thoughts are having a direct effect on your bodily functions and behavior. Joe Dispenza, chiropractor, researcher and author of “What the Bleep Do We Know,” studied the idea of mind over matter for years before he was given the ultimate test; a debilitating injury from a serious accident. He opted to pass up medical treatment and focus on the healing power of the mind and NLP hypnosis techniques. Sure enough, he returned to his normal activities within weeks. He is not alone on this. Even though medical science has not proven the underlying cause of these miracles, Dr. Dispenza believes it is only a matter of time before neuro linguistic programming becomes a serious science.

Neuro linguistic programming is big business in the United States. Workshops, seminars, e-books, audio tapes, DVDs and hypnosis sessions are all in a day’s work for the busy NLP therapist. It’s been used to help athletes prepare for the big game, to help patients get over phobias, to encourage weight loss in obese people, to train business professionals to be more successful and to cure physical afflictions. While the power of positive thinking has not been scientifically verified, many patients swear by the positive results they have seen in their lives.