How to stop snoring

Let me start by saying that this is not supposed to be medical advice and neither should it be used if you are suffering from sleep apnea.

This is just a little technique that has worked well for me and for some friends of mine.

Unfotunately, I can't remember where I heard about this technique, so I can't give proper credit. I expect that it was either Donna Eden or John La Tourrette, but even if they weren't their stuff is highly recommended!

And the technique is - drum roll please - sucking your thumb!

That's it!

Sucking your thumb for about 30 seconds before going to sleep will relax your throat muscles considerably, which often will lead to a measurable decrease in snoring.

Tune in next time when we learn about how to stop sucking your thumb.

Good luck and sleep well!

Reviewing the NLP Trainers: Overdurf and Silverthorn

I always liked "Training Trances", "Beyond Words", and "Dreaming Realities" and was always intrigued about how Julie Silverthorn and John Overdurf would be on stage, because I had heard reviews that they come across unbearably sweet and cuddly.

Well, they did come across as the Ken and Barbie of the NLP world, but they were aware of it and made it fun to watch their interaction. This was probably the best team presentation I have ever witnessed, because they were amazing at switching between each other, thereby utilising quite an interesting level of nested loops.

The seminar was on coaching and it was fun. They are very good teachers, covered not only basics, but also quite advanced stuff and went from everyday applications to spiritual implications, which I really enjoyed.

Not sure if their work is so different that it warrants a new name: "Humanistic Neuro Linguistic Programming" but I guess differentiation is important.

Biggest negative about the course: it was a four day event and I really think it could and should have been a two day event.

Biggest personal shock: I met a lady on the course who charged (then) fifteen times my rate for a personal sessions, which really rattled my mindset about my self-worth, especially since I thought that she was utterly useless as a therapist or coach...

Reviewing the NLP Trainers: Rintu Basu

With all the rapport skills in the world, and all the tools to change your state, you sometimes meet people you just don't like. I met Rintu Basu four or five times and never got along with him.

He always came across as very secretive and having his own agenda, which I guess was the case, because he actually audiotaped several seminars and used some of the things he learned for his own book. Nothing wrong with that, but one thing I really don't like is that he does not acknowledge any of his teachers/sources.

His "Black Book of Persuasion" is good, but if you have ever attended a (good) NLP Practitioner course, you will know this stuff.

I do have to admit, though, that I appreciate his little chapter on the ethical use of language patterns.

I can't review or rank him as a trainer, because I have not attended any of his seminars, but there are some videos of his on youtube, so you can make up your own mind about his skills as a trainer.

Reviewing the NLP Trainers: Ross Jeffries

Honestly, I hate the whole idea of using NLP, etc for seduction purposes. I think if you are willing to use NLP to get laid, I would only trust you as far as I could throw you. Yes, I know, I'm boring and prude. On the other hand, I have a wonderful girlfriend and got her to like me by just being myself...

I have never attended any of his courses, so I can't review Ross Jeffries' seminars, but I met him twice, once at a Richard Bandler seminar, and then at a John La Tourrette seminar.

Ross Jeffries is a very interesting and intelligent guy. When you get the chance to talk to him away from his hangers-on and disciples, he is great to talk to. Widely read and interested in many different things outside of NLP, he would be an excellent dinner guest.

I used to have two of his audio programmes on tape (yep, long time ago) and had a chance to watch some of his new stuff recently at a colleague's place and despite my reservations about the aim of his products, I must admit that he is fantastic at what he does. Excellent language patterns, good understanding of human motivation, innovative techniques and a good teaching style.

As good an opinion I have of Ross, as bad has been my experience with his students. Just about all the people I have met who only studied with Ross (or other seduction gurus) were, in general, total idiots. Vastly inflated sense of self-importance and feeling incredibly clever about their limited knowledge of NLP/Hypnosis/Magick, etc.

Suggestion: Once you have a good grounding in NLP, try out some of Ross' stuff, if only to see how good he is at teaching and using NLP. And he is very good!