In using neurofeedback with athletes one must consider both the uniqueness of the athlete and the purpose of the training. Our clinical experience suggests that using single hertz frequencies for assessment allows for the fine tuning of the training. For example, rather than training all athletes with alpha (8–12 Hz), you may find that the athlete who typically has high amplitude at 8 Hz needs to be made aware of when the 8 Hz is beneficial during competition but also that it may inhibit intensity and quality of performance during practice. Contrarily, the athlete with typically high amplitude at 12 Hz may be a great ‘practice animal’ but does not perform as well in competition. The ability to identify and change the states needed for different sport purposes is the goal of ‘tuning’ neurofeedback.

Jo Aita, age 46 and weighing 58 kg, set the Masters World Records and Masters Games Records for her age group in Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and Total Olympic weightlifting at the World Masters Games by lifting 71 kg in the Snatch and 86 kg in the Clean and Jerk Olympic lifts. She incorporated biofeedback and visualization training to help optimize her performance. This article summarizes and describes the protocol of breathing and electromyography feedback combined with imagery that contributed to achieving her personal best.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 7 to 21% of the general population and is a chronic condition. The symptoms usually include abdominal cramping, discomfort or pain, bloating, loose or frequent stools and constipation, and can significantly reduce the quality of life. This case report describes how a 22-year-old woman, who was initially diagnosed with IBS when she was a high school junior, healed herself from IBS with slow abdominal breathing without any therapeutic coaching. She has continued to be symptom-free for the last three years. The article reviews how slower diaphragmatic breathing (abdominal breathing) may reduce symptoms of IBS, explores the possibility that breathing is more than increasing sympathetic/parasympathetic balance, and suggests additional self-care strategies to reduce the symptoms of IBS.

REVIEWER'S NOTE: In this context, alpha is a label for a subjective state learned during the Silva mind-control practices and does not necessarily correspond to alpha EEG. It is most likely similar to states learned by autogenic training, mindfulness, breathing, etc.