In Psychology we know that learning is state dependent, which means whatever emotional state you are in when you learn something, if you want to recall it easily, just go back into that state
Changing Your State: Learning State
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This is an easy technique that you can use whenever and wherever you want or need more focus and attention in your life and is a great state to be in when you need to learn and retain new information.
Originally practiced by the ancient Hawaiian Huna, this exercise has been adapted from the practice of Hakalau and has been used all over the world in different forms and formats. |
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Often, when we want to learn something new we attempt to get hyper-focused which puts us into our Foveal Awareness, which is only 3 degrees of our perceptive field.
Using Learning State allows you to open up to 180 degrees of sensory input data which means you are literally picking up and retaining more information.
When to use Learning State:
- When you need to learn, assimilate or recall new information
- When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- During conferences, brainstorming sessions or educational events
- Before presentations or speaking engagements
- When you want better focus, attention and retention
- When you are taking a test or examination
Using Learning State allows you to open up to 180 degrees of sensory input data which means you are literally picking up and retaining more information.
When to use Learning State:
- When you need to learn, assimilate or recall new information
- When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- During conferences, brainstorming sessions or educational events
- Before presentations or speaking engagements
- When you want better focus, attention and retention
- When you are taking a test or examination
Why you need this right now
- Scientific measurements of brainwaves of individuals in this state shows that they more readily assimilate new information and experience less stress.
- Neurologically, it is impossible to feel negative emotions while in this state so if you are feeling overwhelmed, simply putting yourself in Learning State will allow the feeling to disappear.
- Studies on school-aged children show that teaching this state, without making any other changes, can lead to a full grade-point increase and an increase of feelings of calm and confidence.
- This is also a great exercise to use when you are having trouble relaxing due to an overactive mind or when you can’t concentrate on learning something new because you have other things on your mind.
- It’s safe, easy and quick!
In the beginning, you may find it takes you a few moments to access this state of learning and focus. And each time you return to this exercise you will find it easier and faster to go into Learning State.
- Neurologically, it is impossible to feel negative emotions while in this state so if you are feeling overwhelmed, simply putting yourself in Learning State will allow the feeling to disappear.
- Studies on school-aged children show that teaching this state, without making any other changes, can lead to a full grade-point increase and an increase of feelings of calm and confidence.
- This is also a great exercise to use when you are having trouble relaxing due to an overactive mind or when you can’t concentrate on learning something new because you have other things on your mind.
- It’s safe, easy and quick!
In the beginning, you may find it takes you a few moments to access this state of learning and focus. And each time you return to this exercise you will find it easier and faster to go into Learning State.
Most of us don't pay attention to our emotional state when we learn! But if we put ourselves into Learning State when we learn something new, all we need to do to recall it is to go back into the state and voila - the information is easily accessible.
Accessing Learning State in Five Easy Steps
1. Eyes up
Allowing your chin to remain parallel to the floor, bring your eyes up and find a spot on the ceiling you can look at comfortably. You can look at where the wall and the ceiling meet, or just a little bit higher, keeping your chin level and only your eyes turned up.
2. Breathe and go deeper
Take a deep breath in... And as you let the breath out, imagine you can focus on the very centre of your spot. Continue to breathe.
3. Shift your awareness
As you continue to comfortably focus on your spot, notice that your awareness can naturally begin to shift as you can now become aware of your peripheral vision. Allow your awareness to spread out around you and begin to explore the space around you, keeping your eyes on your spot, using only your peripheral vision.
4. Find the edge
Allow your awareness to spread all the way to the left and all the way to the right until you reach the very edge of your peripheral vision.
5. Wrap the awareness around you
When you reach the very edge of your vision, imagine you can now wrap the awareness all the way around behind you. Imagine seeing everything behind you, hearing all the sounds and feeling all the space all around you - a full 360 degrees. And when you are ready, take another deep breath in, and as you let it out you can bring your eyes back down.
Welcome to the Learning State!
Take a moment to notice what is different. What feels, looks or sounds different in this place of focus and awareness.
And notice that every time you return to this place, you are greeted by a feeling of familiarity and knowing that you can learn and integrate new information easily and effortlessly.
Allowing your chin to remain parallel to the floor, bring your eyes up and find a spot on the ceiling you can look at comfortably. You can look at where the wall and the ceiling meet, or just a little bit higher, keeping your chin level and only your eyes turned up.
2. Breathe and go deeper
Take a deep breath in... And as you let the breath out, imagine you can focus on the very centre of your spot. Continue to breathe.
3. Shift your awareness
As you continue to comfortably focus on your spot, notice that your awareness can naturally begin to shift as you can now become aware of your peripheral vision. Allow your awareness to spread out around you and begin to explore the space around you, keeping your eyes on your spot, using only your peripheral vision.
4. Find the edge
Allow your awareness to spread all the way to the left and all the way to the right until you reach the very edge of your peripheral vision.
5. Wrap the awareness around you
When you reach the very edge of your vision, imagine you can now wrap the awareness all the way around behind you. Imagine seeing everything behind you, hearing all the sounds and feeling all the space all around you - a full 360 degrees. And when you are ready, take another deep breath in, and as you let it out you can bring your eyes back down.
Welcome to the Learning State!
Take a moment to notice what is different. What feels, looks or sounds different in this place of focus and awareness.
And notice that every time you return to this place, you are greeted by a feeling of familiarity and knowing that you can learn and integrate new information easily and effortlessly.
"I went back to school as an adult and was having a hell of a time focusing and retaining information. Then Jennifer taught me about Learning State and it has made a HUGE difference!! I even taught it to my son who struggled in class and his test anxiety has totally disappeared! And his grades have gotten better too!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: It hurts my eyes when I turn them up to the ceiling - now what?
A: This is common for those of us who are over-achievers but you only need to turn your eyes up slightly. Even if you look at where the ceiling and the wall meet, that is perfect.
If you are attempting to look at the back of your own brain and it is painful, just lower your eyes until you find more comfort.
Q: This is brilliant! Can I teach it to my kids??
A: Yes - please do!! This is such a powerful tool for all students (and teachers!) to have so feel free to share with anyone you think needs more focus and less overwhelm in their life.
A: This is common for those of us who are over-achievers but you only need to turn your eyes up slightly. Even if you look at where the ceiling and the wall meet, that is perfect.
If you are attempting to look at the back of your own brain and it is painful, just lower your eyes until you find more comfort.
Q: This is brilliant! Can I teach it to my kids??
A: Yes - please do!! This is such a powerful tool for all students (and teachers!) to have so feel free to share with anyone you think needs more focus and less overwhelm in their life.
"When people ask what Jen does, I tell them she is a facilitator of miracles. Because I know this to be true."
