What Is Hypnosis?
Although hypnosis has long been associated with the strange and mysterious, the truth is that hypnosis isn't the least bit mysterious or supernatural. In fact, you've been in an hypnotic state literally thousands of times. You probably didn't notice it because it seemed so natural. And the hypnotic state is natural for all humans and many animals. In fact you are many times more alert than in your normal state of awareness.
Probably at one time or another you have found yourself driving along a familiar freeway and you arrived somewhere without remembering going there. These are common occurrences. This is possible because everything you have learned is stored in your subconscious. You know how to drive and when you get in the car going along at a steady pace, your conscious mind is freed. So your conscious mind drifts off, and your unconscious mind becomes more active. When your attention is needed, your conscious mind takes over again Whenever you do an automatic activity such as driving, your conscious mind is diverted from your subconscious mind and you are likely to go into a hynotic state.
Generally speaking, when you are in a trance state in which you are receptive to hypnotic suggestions, you will likely experience relaxation, sleepiness, a rigidity or limpness in the muscles, skin warmth or cold, sensations of tingling or feelings of electricity and narrowness of attention. You may feel more detached or connected than usual to your surroundings.
Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis can be thought of as a tool for you to have more control of your life. You are more amenable to suggestions because your attention is focused. Trance is not sleep. If you were asleep you would not be amenable to suggestions. If someone makes a suggestion that you wish to reject, you have the ability to reject that suggestion. You never lose control of yourself. Instead you have greater control over what you will or will not do and can instantly reject any suggestions you find to be uncomforable.
When a person likes and wants the suggestions given, they allow the suggestions to travel a direct channel to the subconscious, where it effortlessly becomes a belief, modifies behavior, or produces an effect or action. Hypnosis cannot hurt you. It can only be used for good. Thus hypnosis can be used for many changes: weight loss, smoking cessation, phobias, pain control, enhanced creativity, greater athletic power and motivation to name just a few of the wonderful things you could do and be.
Your Hypnosis Session
Your hypnotherapy session will be an extremely pleasant experience. We will discuss what hypnosis is. Then we will look at your goals or issues and then you will be guided into a very deep state of physical and mental relaxation. When you emerge from hypnosis after strong suggetions to reach your goals, you will feel relaxed and positive.
Some questions or concerns that others have had:
1. Can I be hypnotized?
Yes. All people are capable of entering trance states.
2. What is the advantage of being hypnotized?
It is a more rapid and efficient way of achieving goals because the conscious mind can be bypassed. You are more amenable to suggestions because your attention is focused.
3. Will I be asleep while in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is a state resembling sleep, but only physically. Mentally you will be aware of all that happens around you and easily be able to respond to external events you care to.
4. Will I say or do something I don't want to while in hypnosis?
No. A person in hypnosis is fully in control of him or herself and responds verbally or behaviorally as he or she desires. When a person likes and wants the suggestion given, they allow the suggestions to travel a direct channel to the subconscious, where it effortlessly becomes a belief, modifies behavior, or produces an effect or action. Hypnosis cannot hurt you. It can only be used for good.
5. How do I know I have been hypnotized?
Because trance is an everyday experience, there are no flashing lights that say, "This is it."
6. What does hypnosis feel like?
Most people find the experience very enjoyable. You will likely experience relaxation, sleepiness, a rigidity or limpness in the muscles, skin warmth or cold, sensations of tingling or feelings of electricity and narrowness of attention.
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