~ The Problem ~
While we all use all of our modalities (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, etc) most people are primarily visual learners, seconded by auditory learners. Even so, there are many people who prefer a very hands-on kind of learning because they learn best by doing. For these people, life is more difficult, since most systems cater to Visual learners, and then Auditory learners.
"Why don't more systems cater to Kinesthetic learners?" The simple explanation is it is more difficult to explain feelings and sensations in the context of teaching other than doing so hands-on, and in person. Even then, it is sometimes tricky because those who have learned via Visual or Auditory means tend to try teaching using those same methods.
~ A Solution ~
One solution to the problem is to figure out some way to increase acuity in Visual or Auditory modalities. For instance, Travis (hope you don't mind being an example Travis) is more of a kinesthetic learner. He wants to make use of NLP patterns which are mostly taught with visual learners in mind. So he asks (in his post) for help learning how to visualize.
Learning to visualize is one solution Travis can use. It will take practice and dedication to become good at visualization since Travis is a kinesthetic learner; I fully believe Travis can do this if he puts the effort into it.
There's an inherent downside to this solution though. Travis wants to make use of the NLP patterns in the way that will provide him with the powerful change he seeks. That is one of the primary purposes of practicing NLP after all. Learning to visualize will be awesome for Travis, but since it is not his primary learning modality, visualization will never be as powerful for Travis as a kinesthetic method could be.
~ Another Solution ~
Another solution is to learn the skill of tailoring NLP patterns into kinesthetic patterns. While this skill will also take time and practice to master, just as enhancing visualization skills would be, it has the added benefit of being more powerful for Travis since it makes use of his primary learning modality.
Tailoring NLP patterns from one modality to another can be done for any pattern and any modality. Here are the basics of how this is done:
The first thing to do is identify the framework (the way the pattern works). Next, you want to figure out what is really going on with the pattern; what makes it work. Finally, apply the new modality to the framework of the pattern.
(This is harder to explain without an example, so I will provide an example below.)
~ Transmuting Modalities For The Swish Pattern ~
In order to alter the Swish pattern for a kinesthetic learner, I borrow from another pattern called the Circle of Excellence. The reason I do this is because the Circle of Excellence is primarily a kinesthetic pattern, which means it has elements I can use.
(For the purposes of this post, I am going to assume readers are already familiar with the Swish pattern. Thus, I will touch on points of it, but not go into great detail)
First, we identify the framework of the classic Swish pattern:
1> Visualize a picture of yourself with the state you desire, in a situation appropriate to when and where you want that state expressed. Mentally set this Positive picture aside.
2> Visualize a picture of yourself in the state you wish to change away from, in the situation where it is a problem for you. Mentally set this Negative picture aside.
3> Visualize a distant point where the Positive picture is super tiny, fuzzy, still, and colorless.
4> Over the top of the distant point, visualize the Negative picture as huge, clear, vividly colored, and animated.
5> As quick as you can, shrink the Negative picture to that distant spot while draining the color from it, allowing it to get fuzzy, and slowing all motion to a halt.
6> At the same time as step 5, grow the Positive picture to become huge and trade places with the Negative picture; watch it fill with vivid and crisp colors as it becomes clear and animated.
(Steps 5 & 6 happen at the same time, as quick as you can. This is the "Swish" part. It is alright for this to be slow the first couple times, it will speed up as you repeat it a few times as mentioned in step 8.)
7> Break state for a moment, and reset both pictures to their starting points. (It is vital you do not swish them back to their starting points. This is resetting, not swishing back.)
8> Repeat steps 5 thru 7 at least 6 times, getting faster each time.
9> Fully allow yourself to visualize a few situations in the future where this new state would be used.
<> <> <>
As you can see, the Swish pattern requires plenty of visualization.
So next, we figure out what is really going on:
A> In steps 1 & 2, we are creating two anchors for Positive and Negative states in relation to a specific type of situation.
B> In steps 3 & 4, we are creating two "locations" to swish between; a Powerful location and a Weak location. The "locations" are defined using sub-modalities. In the example above, the sub-modalities I used are size (huge & tiny), clarity (clear & fuzzy), color (vivid & drained), distance (close & far), and motion (animated & still). I generally use 4 to 5 sub-modalities when using the Swish pattern.
C> In steps 5 & 6, we are "swishing" the anchors between the locations. The Negative anchor begins at the Powerful location and swishes to the Weak location, while the Positive anchor begins at the Weak location and swishes to the Powerful location.
(This drains the power out of the Negative and gives it to the Positive)
D> In steps 7 & 8, we stop and reset everything to repeat the swish in a single direction; each time making the Negative incrementally weaker, and the Positive equally more powerful. It is vital to stop and reset instead of just swishing back and forth, because being wishy-washy with the power doesn't drain it from one and fill the other as well as doing it only one way.
E> In step 9, we are "future pacing" the change to help lock in the Positive state for future situations where it is applicable.
<> <> <>
Now that we know what's going on with the pattern at a fundamental level, you keep the framework while applying a new modality.
A> Create two anchors for Positive and Negative states in relation to the situation. This is where I would take a page out of the Circle of Excellence pattern by designating two physical locations on the ground; one each to represent the Positive and Negative states.
B> Next, choose a few physical sub-modalities to use as physical means to represent the Powerful and the Weak. For this example I will use facial muscles (smile & frown), hands (clenched fist & limp), arms (high in victory & drooped at side), posture (standing proud & slouched), and head angle (looking down & looking up).
C> Swish by stepping from the Negative physical location and its associated state to the Positive physical location and its associated state, while swishing all the sub-modalities from the Weak to the Powerful.
D> Step away from both physical locations and assume a completely neutral posture for all sub-modalities. (This resets without inadvertently swishing back.) Repeat multiple times, resetting between each.
E> Future-pace by imagining how it will feel for you when the appropriate situation next presents itself to you.
~ The Kinesthetic Swish Pattern ~
I can now write all the steps using the new modality. (Notice that the steps do not directly match-up with those of the regular Swish, but instead follow a logical progression outlined above.)
1> Using a pointed finger, indicate a circle on the ground to be the Positive circle. As you step into this circle, imagine feeling the state you desire and the situation in which you desire it, and allow your body to feel it fully. Feel it in the muscles of your arms and legs, in your gut and stomach, feel it in your chest, back, neck and into your head. Allow the Positive feeling to fully wrap around you and thru you. Then step out of the circle leaving all those feelings and the emotional connections they have in the circle.
2> Indicate a second circle on the ground to be the Negative circle. Step into this circle only for a short time as you get a feeling of the way things currently are with the situation you wish to change. You only need to remain there long enough to fully enter the state. make sure to associate the circle on the ground with all the feelings, and then step out of the circle, leaving those feelings there.
3> Test the circles to ensure that simply stepping inside the circle will bring up the correct feelings for that circle. If not, then repeat the steps above until they do. Be sure to step outside either circle and return to a neutral state and do not step directly from one to the other (yet).
(While this step is not specified above, it is a good rule of thumb to test anchors for purity and strength before using them. This applies generally to all anchor setting and usage.)
4> While not stepping into either circle, practice the Weak pose. The Weak pose is with the head hanging down with a slight frown, arms and hands limp at your sides, and posture slouched as if your entire body is saying "What's the point of doing anything?"
Then break state and return to neutral. Repeat this a few times to get a good feel for it, ensuring you can return to feeling a neutral state each time.
5> Again, not stepping into either circle, practice the Powerful pose. The Powerful pose is with the head held high and smiling brightly, your arms straightened and raised up in a big "V" for victory, as if you just won a race, fists clenched with strength as you stand tall in an awesome power stance. Make sure to enjoy this pose and really feel the power of it coursing thru every fiber of your being. Then return to a neutral state and practice it a couple more times to ensure you can get into it quickly just when you want to.
6> Now it's time for the swish part of this pattern. To do this, you are going to keep the situation in mind and step into the Negative circle allowing your body to go from neutral to the Weak pose while inside the circle. Then step from that circle into the Positive circle (firmly keeping the situation in mind still) and in a fluid motion swish from the Weak pose in the Negative circle into the Powerful pose in the Positive circle, feeling the full power of the Positive circle combining with the Power stance.
7> Now step outside of either circle and return to a neutral state. You might look about the room a bit and think about something else to really make sure you have broken state.
8> Repeat step 6 and 7 at least 10 times. Each time you do increase the speed you fluidly swish from one to the other. Make the transition as quick and smooth as you can. (Kinesthetic feelings, both physical and emotional, generally take a bit longer to really sink in deeply; but when they do, it's powerfully strong.)
9> Without stepping into either circle, imagine a future time when a similar situation might happen to you, and notice how you feel about it. Do you feel more empowered and full of confidence? If not, go back and repeat steps 6 and 7 a couple more times, being quick about it while keeping the transition smooth, and perhaps making a "swish" sound as you do.
10> Once you have achieved the change you desire, imagine the Positive and Negative circles can be picked up like super thin pieces of paper. Pick up the Positive circle, fold it up and put it somewhere you can easily find it for when you want to use it again next time. Do the same with the negative circle.
(You should find that the Positive and Negative states are no longer tied to those two physical locations anymore, since the circles have been picked up. Conversely, you can now unfold either of the circles and place them on the ground anywhere you like to get their full effect again whenever needed.)
~ Closing Notes ~
This kind of transmuting of modalities can be done with any NLP pattern, but it does take time to get a feel for doing it. You may have noticed the text for the Kinesthetic Swish is nearly three times that of the standard Swish. This is what I meant by saying it is generally more difficult to explain a pattern kinesthetically as opposed to visually or audibly.
Please let me know if you found this article to be helpful. If you have any questions or comments about this post, or want me to write an article about another aspect of NLP, hypnosis, or anything concerning the FoE, feel free to join the G+ community, Fellowship of Excellence and we can discuss it there.
Thanks for reading and have an awesome day!
