'NLP is too cerebral!'

This has been the complaint of some people since NLP first came over the horizon!

(And, as any good NLPer knows, the statement is doctrinally unsound - for a start it 'nominalises' NLP. There is no such thing as NLP - it's an activity that arises out of a set of principles and an ever-changing knowledge-base.)

But I do think we ought to give some thought to the complaint. NLP, as it is generally taught and practised in the UK and Ireland is a bit too cerebrally oriented. And a bit too serious and humourless. And not very adventurous.

Exceptions to the rule

There may have been lots of exceptions although I've not come across many:

• I believe there's an outdoor activity centre in North Wales that has been using NLP for quite a while.
• I know some of Tony Robbins own seminars do require people to do some adventurous things, apart from the fire-walk.
• And I have attended many of Douglas Pride's hilarious presentations at the ANLP conferences in London.
• Richard Bandler has the ability to be one of the funniest presenters around
• The outdoor activity community in the UK have been including NLP 'soft skills' in their work for some years now

My way of doing my bit to balance the scales has begun with NLP courses based at the Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity centre in the New Forest. And I am training to be an instructor in the High and Low ropes courses.

Why Outdoor Activities?

Because the fresh air, physical activity, and informal setting is good for body, mind, spirit, and for inter-personal relationships. (You get to know other participants a lot quicker when you're crowding together onto a low platform that isn't really big enough to hold half the number on it.)

Because this form of learning NLP creates a wonderful bond between participants - and ensures that the facilitator cannot use power-games to control them. It also fosters an egalitarian atmosphere.

Because moving your body about keeps it flexible which helps keep the mind flexible too. When outdoor activities are part of the programme you rarely get the energy lags that are common to hotel-based trainings.

Because it is fun.

Because it's a stretch for most of us, especially those who have not been as physically active as they used to be. A stretch that often resurrects an interest in keep the body healthy and flexible.

Because all activities can be used as metaphors. For example your approach to climbing a tree and walking along a high beam can be a metaphor for how you approach challenges in your daily life. If you have a hesitant stop-start approach to the tree do you also have a stop-start approach to beginning a relationship? Or a business venture?

Information about NLP 

NLP Courses in the New Forest

What is NLP + NLP FAQ

Why learn NLP

How to learn NLP

Where to learn NLP and how to choose a training provider

The NLP Practitioner Certification Programme

The NLP Master Practitioner Certification Programme

Features of Pegasus NLP Trainings

How we integrate NLP with outdoor activities

The Pegasus NLP Principles

Our main NLP section has now been re-located to http://www.nlp-now.co.uk - you will find more up-to-date information there.

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