HypnoBirthing® UK

[JennyB]

I have been using the HypnoBirthing CD recorded by Justina O'Leary and wonder if anybody knows where she comes from originally?

I am finding my attention is being drawn to her sometimes unusual enunciation of words (wrists sounds like rests, for example) and wondering what her background is. This is detracting from my ability to focus on the actual words and fully relax.

Thanks!

[WendyWoo]

Hi there

I have also been listening to Justin O'leary's cd - for over 2 months now and believe me, after the first 5 times, her voice begins to sound like treacle. I am sure if I meet her at any time in my life, I would be able to talk to her without closing my eyes!

Not sure where the accent comes from but suggest just going with it and after a while you will feel the benefits

[JennyB]

Agreed - I am a big fan of her beautiful voice - and have also been using the CDs for about two months now. But I find the more I listen, because I know the content off by heart, I find it hard not to focus on her diction. I am guessing she might come from Wales or maybe somewhere outside the UK originally.

[babyboos]

sorry but have to disagree I couldn't stand her voice and hope they make a less accented version in future
it put me off it was so bad and my partner immitating her just wasn't condusive to calm and relaxation more like weeing myself laughing

[ockysmith]

The Rainbow Relaxation has just been re-recorded by Marie Mongan herself (who in my opinion has a lovely relaxing voice, especially considering how conditioned we are to being induced into Alpha state by American accents, it feels much more natural than the anglicised version) - however, because the subconscious/alpha state is non-critical/analytical the accent really is irrelevant - as illustrated by a poster above, it doesn't matter if the accent was Welsh, Irish, Kiwi (which I believe Justina is?) or African or even read by a robot, once you really learn how to relax you don't "listen" to the accent.

[babyboos]

can't agree sorry
her voice would not let me relax and I am glad this has finally happened I was told it was going to many times over last 24 months
a good Scots voice would have sent me into blissful relaxation instantly

[ockysmith]

[quote="babyboos"]can't agree sorry
her voice would not let me relax and I am glad this has finally happened I was told it was going to many times over last 24 months
a good Scots voice would have sent me into blissful relaxation instantly[/quote]

That's a shame, I take it you are not very susceptible to hypnosis?

For the vast majority of people they will hear the accent one or two times, then they will become accustomed to entering alpha state/relaxing and the accent simply will become irrelevant (as the above poster clearly shows). Obviously though it takes a bit of practice to learn to relax, which is why we don't want people to rely on the CDs alone and why we practice so many other relaxation exercises in class, it *is* a learning curve, but if you practice your relaxation techniques, as well as listening to the CDs, it is one that occurs remarkably quickly and as I mentioned before, when you are in a relaxed state the accent really is irrelevant as the subconscious mind is non-critical. If you did have trouble after practicing the exercises from class first/regularly then you might have done well to start off with just listening to the Comfort Zone for a bit before the rainbow relaxation.

Sadly though there will always be people unhappy with accents, initially we had only American CDs, people complained, so we introduced the English version (and FAR more of my clients complained about that and actually requested the old American version! when I myself birthed last year I listened the the American version), so now we have gone back to the US version. We do also give out the rainbow relaxation script for this very reason, so that couples can practice with the dads/birth partner reading out the script, or even the mum recording it herself maybe. There is always a way around it and I personally feel too much emphasis is placed on the accents/voices without a real understanding of hypnosis/relaxation and how best to achieve that state.

Hope that's clearer, it's definitely something to bring up with your practitioner should you have another baby as there are ways and means around everything, there is no set way in HypnoBirthing, we have a great tool kit that people can make use of to personalise the programme to them .