The second highest frequency state is the alpha state. This corresponds to someone who is awake but is relaxed, usually with their eyes closed. This brainwave pattern is often observed in practiced meditators at the beginning of a session of meditation even if they have the eyes open (Bower, 1987, p. 137). This state corresponds to what we call the subconscious, and it is here that we digest new information, debate either-or options, and reflect on things. Markova (1991, p. 26) calls it “the stomach of the mind, churching things around, deciding what will be digested and how.” This state of consciousness also functions as a link between our inner and outer worlds as it links the unconscious (theta) and conscious (beta) states.
As the frequency of the brainwaves continues to slow, we enter the theta brainwave state. This state is observed in experienced meditators who have settled into deep meditation and in people who are just relaxing into sleep (Bower, 1987, p. 127, 138). This state is what Markova (1991, p. 28-29) connects to our unconscious mind. This is the state of consciousness that we are in when we are daydreaming or in deep contemplation or meditation. However, this state of consciousness is still working for us by creating new patterns, searching for connections between new material and what we already knew, storing information in long term memory, and imagining new possibilities for the future (Markova, 1991, p. 29). This part of our mind is
continually seeking, searching, wondering, experimenting (Markova, 1991, p. 30).
This state is often considered the source of our intuitive knowledge, or gut instinct, as it is most able to see situations with widest view, but the fact that it communicates mostly by symbols, images, metaphors, and analogies makes it challenging to understand at times.
The slowest brainwaves are the delta state and correspond to sleep. This state is not relevant to this discussion because it is not one that can be accessed during the usual coaching session, although information from dreams that arise during this state may be useful in a similar way to the unconscious mind (theta).
If we consider these different states of consciousness in the context of a coaching relationship, it is clear that the first three states all have a role to play in the work that a client may undertake during any given session. As a client interacts with us, s/he will be operating in the beta (conscious) state to answer our questions. When we ask a client to reflect more deeply on a situation or issue, they may need to relax into the alpha (subconscious) state to be able to let go of usual patterns to see things from a new perspective or make new connections. If we are asking a client to imagine a desired future or listen to their intuition to make a decision, they will need to have access to their unconscious (theta) state to find the answers that are needed.
Although most evaluations of learning style tend to focus on the beta state since that is where we take in new information, much of the work we do in coaching is not about the client taking in new information from the coach. The learning that takes place in coaching is primarily focused on helping the client become more aware of what is available to them in their subconscious (alpha) and unconscious (theta) minds where there is freedom from the ingrained habits of perception and belief that come with the conscious (beta) mind to allow for new perspectives, identifying and letting of unhelpful underlying beliefs, and imagining new futures and possibilities. Therefore, helping a client to find greater access to these learning styles will of greater value in the coaching relationship that the identification of the beta state learning style.
Open Mind Model
In the Open Mind model, Markova suggests that each of these states of consciousness are triggered by different kind of sensory input—auditory (A), visual (V), or kinesthetic (K)—in each person. Auditory input would include listening to someone speaking, listening to music, or having a discussion. Visual input could include watching TV or movies, reading, viewing charts or tables, or seeing diagrams. Kinesthetic input includes being touched or touching something, tasting, smelling, or experiencing movement (Markova, 1991, p. 37). Likewise, these linkages between states of consciousness and types of input will also govern the types of inner imagery a person experiences and the way that a person best expresses the knowledge that comes from these different states of thinking.