I live abroad so don't have access to 1:1 courses but I read the Marie Mongan book and listened to the CD every evening from about 28 weeks.
During labour, and once I got into the bath I tried the visualisation but the only one I found I could focus on properly was the counting to 20 really quickly and then blowing the breath into a blue balloon and watching it float away. All whilst mooing like a cow apparently (and involuntarily!)
I kept also reminding myself at the beginning of each contraction, "the more you relax, the less it will hurt" and was coaching myself through each one to relax even more than I did during the last one. I never really did anything consciously but like others, I found I really went into myself and zoned out massively. Between contractions I was totally relaxed and chilled.
Had a touch of g&a because I got too hot in the bath and needed to get out, but only had it for 5 minutes before they told me I was fully dilated and needed to start pushing. I never felt the urge to push though so the breathing down part didn't happen for me and I had to push against his body which was hard. But actually I didn't find that part particularly painful, nor the crowning or anything (or the small episiotomy!)
Awww, I'm getting all broody writing this now, I can't wait to do it all again, it was a fantastic experience. I credit hypnobirthing with keeping me calm and relaxed but open-minded enough to know that if I needed intervention I was going to take it. I was just lucky that baby went head down at 30 weeks and stayed there, and I apparently have a pelvis wide enough for easy labour but had intervention been needed, I would have been able to remain calm which is what I wanted.
I hope you enjoy your experience OP and you'll be holding your new baby soon! GOod luck and let us know how you get on!