“You use hypnosis not as a cure but as a means of establishing a favourable climate in which to learn.”
Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep. It does involve the induction of a trance-like condition, but When in it, the patient is actually in an enhanced state of awareness, concentrating entirely on the hypnotist’s voice. In this state, the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is revealed. The therapist is able to suggest ideas, concepts, and lifestyle adaptations to the patient, the seeds of which become firmly planted.
The practise of promoting healing or positive development in any way is known as hypnotherapy. As such, hypnotherapy is a kind of psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy aims to re-programme patterns of behaviour within the mind, enabling irrational fears, phobias, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome.
As the body is released from conscious control during the relaxed trance-like state of hypnosis, breathing becomes slower and deeper, the pulse rate drop and the metabolic rate falls. Similar changes along nervous pathways and hormonal channels enable the sensation of pain to become less acute, and the awareness of unpleasant symptoms such as nausea or indigestion, to be alleviated.
The term Hypnosis comes from the Greek word “Hypnos” meaning sleep. Hypnosis is often associated with stage shows and other often mystical things. Hypnosis is not at all mystical and is a perfectly natural state of mind that we all go into hundreds of times every day.
Hypnosis is:
• Focused consciousness
• An altered state of consciousness
• Extreme relaxation
• Guided Meditation
• A series of instructions.
For example, driving a car but not knowing the exact things you did (like every turn of the indicator or wheel for example) – this is because you would have been in a very light hypnotic state. On a subconscious level, you were still in control of the vehicle you were driving. Another example, If you are watching TV or reading a really good book and someone is talking to you, but you don’t hear a word they say because you are so focused on your show – that is a state of hypnosis!
“In therapy, hypnosis usually involves the person experiencing a sense of deep relaxation with their attention focussed inward and appropriate suggestions made by the therapist.”
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are words that are used rather interchangeably; the two words are not the same. Hypnosis is more a state of mind while hypnotherapy is the name of the therapeutic version in which hypnosis is used.
Some major facts about hypnosis that everyone should know:
- Hypnosis was accepted by the American Medical Association is 1958
- Hypnosis is a very natural state of mind and is safe
- No-one has ever been hurt by Hypnosis
- Hypnosis is not control over the mind
- You cannot get stuck in Hypnosis – this has never happened to anyone
- The worst-case scenario is that you fall asleep
- Hypnosis is focused consciousness
- Sleep is a state of unconsciousness
- The wording of “Sleep” in Hypnosis means to close your eyes and go deeply relaxed as if you are asleep.
Hypnosis is simply a series of instructions; all you have to do is focus on what the hypnotherapist is saying and follow his or her instructions.
Hypnosis is a powerful tool for implementing change within a person’s life. Many practitioners frown upon the use of hypnosis in stage shows when the techniques are used in a less serious light. Stage Hypnosis works where the viewer witness’s individuals indulging their sense of humour by believing that he/she has x-ray vision and can see all people’s underwear or he/she believes they are deeply in love with a broom. Although this use of hypnosis creates humour, the viewer usually fails to realise the true “power” of hypnosis; a contestant truly believes they have x-ray vision, a physical impossibility. But on the other hand, hypnosis is a very natural state of mind.
Some Common Misconceptions about Hypnosis are:
Hypnosis is NOT Sleep – people will not necessarily feel hypnotised, they will stay completely aware of things and sounds around them and they will certainly not be asleep.
You Will NOT Lose Control – It is a commonly held belief that a hypnotist exerts some sort of control over his subject, But the client could bring themselves out of hypnosis.
You Will NOT Reveal Your Deepest Darkest Secrets – Again you are in your control; you will only do and follow the instruction that morally fit for you. If there are things that you don’t want others to know then you will in no way feel compelled to share these.
Being Hypnotised does NOT Mean You Are Gullible or Stupid – There is evidence to suggest that there is indeed a correlation between a person’s level of intelligence and their level of suggestibility and it would appear that the opposite holds true, the more intelligent that you the more suggestible that you are hence the better a hypnotic subject you will make.
You Will NOT Get Stuck in Hypnosis – sometimes a client does not respond immediately, this is pure because the trance state is so relaxing and such a pleasant place to be that they are reluctant to come out.
People get confused between regression and hypnotherapy suggestion. It is important to understand the difference between the two. Both require inducing Hypnosis. Suggestion Therapy is just that – Suggestion. Suggestions are made to the Subconscious Mind to improve or resolve certain issues that are happening for your client. Most of the Hypnotherapist’s use only Suggestion Therapy. For example, If your client came to you with a Weight Problem and wanted to lose weight, once you had got to the Subconscious Mind then with Suggestion Therapy you would make suggestions that they would eat healthily, feel motivated to exercise and imagine themselves slimmer and fitter. Whereas, Regression simply means – going back in time. You can regress your client back to events in this lifetime or in Past Lives.
“Hypnosis is not only a tool to make wonderful changes in your life. It’s a way to de-stress. Your pulse slows. Your blood pressure comes down. When that happens, you see things more clearly. You’re primed of making changes.”
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