What is Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?

There are two different kinds of hypnosis - self-hypnosis and hypnosis guided by a hypnotherapist. Self-hypnosis is easy to learn, but requires more discipline than guided hypnosis. The advantages of self-hypnosis are, it may be done in the privacy of your own home at your own convenience, it does not require anyone else, and you can use the process as much as possible, or when a specific problem presents itself. With practice, anyone can learn self-hypnosis techniques to resolve inner conflict and to gain greater awareness of self.

Much can be learned through hypnosis. The more you involve yourself in understanding your thoughts, emotions, and actions, the greater your understanding of your experiences will be. With this understanding comes a greater sense of well being, peace and unity in yourself.
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What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a process used to reach the sub-conscious mind. Our patterns of behaviour are based on associations we have made from our thoughts to our emotions. Certain thoughts trigger certain emotions, and likewise, certain emotions can trigger certain thoughts.

Within hypnosis, you can learn to tune into your feelings and associate your thoughts with your feelings, and then learn to be more discerning in your conscious waking state when a certain feeling or thought arises. In this manner, merely by recognizing the connection of the thought and emotion, you are stopping the automatic, or trigger reaction. This is essential when dealing with behavioural changes.

Many people are wary of hypnosis and have misconceptions around the process of hypnosis. The hypnotic state is a very natural state of physical relaxation and heightened mental awareness. We slide in and out of different states of consciousness all day long, and we often enter a hypnotic trance state while wide awake. One example of this kind of trance state is road hypnosis. When you are driving, you often slip into a trance state because of the constant movement of the car and the road going by. Sometimes you may become drowsy while driving or not remember driving the most recent mile or so on your trip, or you may even miss your exit on the motorway. Another common trance state is when you are very absorbed in watching a film or reading a book, you may even not hear someone in the same room talking to you. You are in a waking trance state when these situations occur.

There are many myths surrounding hypnosis, which are usually from books, comics and films. Below are some truths:-

• You cannot be made to do anything against your basic belief system while in trance.
• You may end a trance at any time by opening your eyes.
• You cannot get stuck in trance.
• You may fall asleep while in trance, but when you awaken, you will be out of trance.
• Everyone who wants to be hypnotised can be hypnotised, although the depth of trance will vary with each person.