Transcript: Horsefulness Training podcast-episode 7

Title: "Confidence reset" - a hypnotherapy exercise for a positive self-image

Date: 22-12-23

Host: Karine Vandenborre

Hello and welcome to the Horsefulness Training podcast. I'm Karine Vandenborre. I'm a professional horse trainer and instructor, founder of Horsefulness Training, and creator of the online Horsefulness Training programs. Today, I want to bring you something different. It's a Christmas present for you, something that will have a positive impact on your self-confidence. So it's not going to be something that is purely horse-related, but it will have a positive change in the way you feel about yourself. Of course, when you feel better about yourself, this will also have a positive impact on your horse and the interaction with your horse.

So what is it that you're going to do today? We're going to do an exercise that comes from the hypnotherapy world. And no, I'm not a hypnotherapist, so it's not me who's going to guide you in this exercise. It will be my husband, Tom, who will be bringing this to you. He's a certified hypnotherapist, so he's in the best position to do this exercise with you. And now, without any further ado, I'll leave the work to Tom. Enjoy.

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Hello and welcome in this space. I'm happy you're here with me to make a positive shift in your self-confidence. As Karine already said, my name is Tom. I'm Karine's husband, and some may already know me from emails or technical support in our online programs. Now, the exercise we're going to do today is a deep relaxation exercise combined with some positive affirmations. 

If you have any fear or doubt because the word hypnotherapy is being used, I can reassure you that this has nothing to do with what you might have seen in shows where people bark like a dog or think they are a chicken. What we will be doing today is a deep relaxation exercise. It's in this beautiful relaxation that you can make positive changes. You'll be aware of everything I say, and you can even stop the exercise whenever you want. Worst case, you'll fall asleep, but then that means you can use some extra sleep. So don't think anything about that.

Now, make sure you will not be disturbed for the next 20 minutes and make yourself comfortable. You can sit in a chair or lie on a bed. It's all fine. Just make sure you're in a comfortable position for the next 20 minutes. If everything is fine, close your eyes and allow your eyelids to relax completely. Relax them to the point where you can't open them anymore. 

Of course, you're able to open your eyes at any point, but for the sake of this relaxation, you just don't want to open them anymore in this moment. Now that your eyelids are completely relaxed, send that relaxation to the top of your head, relaxing every muscle of your face. You're doing great. Now, let that relaxation go all the way down your body, through your chest, your belly, your legs, all the way down to the tips of your feet. Take a deep breath in and let it go, releasing every bit of tension in your body. The sound of my voice will help you to relax even more, and with every breath you exhale, you allow yourself to go deeper into this relaxation, deeper and deeper. Every sound that you hear from outside, be it birds, a barking dog, a passing car, will not disturb you in any way. In fact, it will only help you go deeper into this beautiful relaxation.

Here in this space, you are safe and relaxed. There’s no limit to the amount of relaxation you can experience. This goes on forever, and as deep as you allow yourself to go. There's no need to do anything. Relaxation is a natural state of our being, and it comes without effort if you allow it. You're doing great. Every muscle, every fiber of your body is relaxing more and more. I'll help you go even deeper into this peaceful relaxation. I will count down from 10 to 0, and with each count, your body will automatically double the relaxation. You don't need to help. Just listen to my voice and let it happen. Are you ready? Here we go.

Ten, letting go.
Nine, deeper into this beautiful relaxation.
Eight, seven, deeper and deeper.
Six, all the way down.
Five, four, deeper and deeper into this relaxation.
Three, two, one, zero.

Beautiful. Now that we are here in this lovely relaxation, I want you to travel to a beautiful beach by the sea. This could be a beach you know well or one that only exists in your imagination. It doesn't matter. It's all fine. Just let it happen. When you arrive at the beach, try to hear the sound of the gentle waves and feel the soft breeze on your face. This is your private beach at this moment. There's no one else here, just you. You feel safe and peaceful. Every time a wave meets the shore, you relax even more, in and out. Deeper and deeper.

As you start walking and look around, you notice words written in the sand—negative words. Words like “not good enough,” “insecure,” “anxious,” “fearful.” You realize that these words are labels that at one point in your life someone put on you or you put on yourself. But this is not who you are. Every time you see a word like this in the sand, you look at it, and then you erase it with your foot. Because this is not who you are. As you look around, you find these words, these labels, and you erase them one by one until you can't find any more. Take your time and look around until they're all gone. But look carefully because sometimes these words like to hide. Take your time.

When all the words are gone, and you can't find any more, and you’ve erased them, sit down in the sand and make yourself comfortable for a moment. You're doing wonderfully. With every breath you take, you relax even more. Now, if you’ve erased every negative label about yourself, and you’re sitting here in the sand, you see that there is a chalkboard and some chalk in the sand. Go ahead and pick it up.

Now, I want you to write only positive words about yourself—the complete opposite of all the negative ones you erased from the sand. You can write words like “worthy,” “confident,” “beautiful,” “smart,” “courageous,” “powerful.” Write as many as you like. These are the words that represent who you really are. This is the power you have inside of you. With every word you write, you feel better about yourself, realizing what a beautiful person you are. You're a beautiful, self-confident, loving, and caring human being. You are entitled to happiness, joy, prosperity, and love. So, write every positive word about yourself or how you would like to be.

When you’ve written all these words, take a good look at them and realize that this is who you really are. These words are now engraved in your subconscious, and they will get stronger every day from now on. You feel better about yourself, and you know you’ve done great work here. The future is bright, and you know you have the capacity to realize everything you desire. This is how powerful you are. You've let go of every negative label anyone, or you, has ever put on you. And now, you’re ready to live your life to the fullest, filled with positivity.

You realize that now you’ve changed. This will also have a positive impact on your horse. Your horse will notice that you’ve changed and will love to be with you even more. Great times are ahead, and you are worthy. Life takes care of you.

As you realize you're heading toward a bright future, it's time to leave this beach and come back to the room where you started the journey. But take all the time you need to come back. When you're ready, start to move your hands or wiggle your feet, but keep your eyes closed for a moment. Take a deep breath and feel yourself coming back, feeling renewed and filled with positivity. The more you come back, the better you feel. And you know, you just know, you're a positive and powerful human being who attracts all the right conditions and people to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Take all the time you need. When you feel the time is right, gently open your eyes and come back, feeling renewed and ready to start the rest of your day. You've done a great job today. Be proud of yourself.

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