What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a method by which any person may be guided into an altered state of consciousness called hypnotic trance in which psychological and physical changes, beyond normal conscious capability, can be achieved. In fact, each of us enters such a state – sometimes called a trance state – at least twice a day: once when we are falling asleep, and once when we are waking up. That kind of fuzzy, timeless state between dreaming and awake is a trance state.
Some people ask if they’ve really been hypnotized, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting something very strange. The zombie-type states you see depicted in movies and on TV are pure fantasy.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is solving or healing or reprogramming the subconscious mind to make a positive impact or change using hypnosis, that is when the person in in hypnotic state.
How does it feel to be hypnotized?
Hypnosis feels different to different people, so I can’t tell you exactly what you will feel. The experience is different for different people. But one thing is common, it will be completely comfortable, very relaxing, and you will have incredible and positive experience. For most people, hypnosis is a pleasant state of deep inner calm and physical relaxation. Deep hypnosis is similar in many ways to the kind of profound trance found in expert yoga or meditation practitioners which they get it by years of practice. The best way to learn about it is to experience it. Some people ask if they’ve really been hypnotized, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting something very strange, but rest assured, you will observe positive change. One of the simplest expression of the state of hypnosis is, ‘while your aware of what is happening around, you just don’t care to pay any attention’
What can’t be treated with hypnotherapy?
Serious psychiatric or mental health problems cannot and should not be attempted to treat, these should be referred to a qualified psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Medical problems with the physical body must always be treated by a physician, who can, at his or her discretion, prescribe hypnotherapy for pain control, hypnoanesthesia or relaxation.
Is hypnotherapy for mental patients?
No, a mentally challenged person cannot go into hypnotic trance, they need to consult psychiatrists. Hypnotherapy is useful for you to improve your life, and make some positive changes. If you are addicted to something, then it does not mean you mentally ill. If you want to overcome past trauma, it does not mean you are mentally unfit.
Is hypnosis “Mind Control”?
Not at all. No one under hypnosis can be induced to do anything against their will. Whatever moral and ethical codes you hold in a normal waking state will still be in place under hypnosis. You cannot be even made to tell truth, you can by all means lie for good reason.
Your subconscious mind’s job is to protect and help you. Just like you cannot be made to do anything against your moral code, you will not say anything that is embarrassing and will not reveal more than you are comfortable doing. Usually, if a hypnotherapist`s suggestion conflicts with a client’s value system, the client simply brings him or herself up out of hypnosis; they just “wake up”. You are in complete control at all times.
Hypnotherapy is a gentle, professional, loving process and hypnotherapist’s are trained to not judge. You will heal and change in your own comfort zone.
What about those stage hypnotists that make people do strange and silly things?
A Stage hypnotist will carefully select people from the audience to find the ones who best respond to Hypnosis. The control factor is still zero, the person on the stage allows the experience to be their main focus, the subjects will themselves be willing to do that way consciously as well. And a stage hypnotist’s job is to entertain people and make fun. For example, if someone on stage barks like a dog under trance, it is because they think barking like a dog is not bad at all, and they find it cool even consciously, that is why they do it. If someone finds it uncomfortable, they will not do it. So a stage hypnotist is skilled enough to pick his subjects carefully. For some, hypnosis (like alcohol) is a convenient excuse to act out and not take responsibility for their behavior
How much will I remember in Hypnosis?
It totally depends, usually you can remember everything, unless hypnotherapist asks you to forget all that consciously. Because for some changes, your conscious mind should not conflict with subconscious mind. So sometimes, hypnotherapist makes you forget it consciously in the best interest to help you and for better efficiency in a positive change.
How deep will I go?
Depth of the hypnotic state is an idea that used to be a focal point, but lately the hypnosis community and hypnosis professionals have realized that depth has little bearing. Clients can go as deep or stay as light as they want to and what is appropriate for them, and we still get good results.
It is a fact that the more hypnosis one undergoes, the greater and easier one drops down into the altered state. It is a skill and like all skills, it improves with practice.
How do I know if I can be hypnotized?
Everyone can be hypnotized but one has to be willing to do it. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, which means if you want to do it, you will. The very small minority of people who have difficulty in a session are usually those who
- Don’t really want to be hypnotized
- Can’t relax and let go enough perhaps fearing loss of control, which we know is a myth
- Poor IQ level or not able to understand what hypnotherapist is speaking.
Can I get stuck in a Hypnotic Trance?
No, never. Hypnosis is a very natural and normal state of the mind. If a client were to go so deep as to enter a truly unconscious state (a very rare occurrence), they would simply go into natural sleep and awaken when they were rested. It is impossible for anyone to be lost or stuck in hypnosis.
After hypnosis, a person awakens naturally, just as they do after sleep! If the hypnotherapist were to leave before counting them awake, the subject would eventually realize that the session had ended and would awaken on their own.
Can hypnosis hurt me or is it dangerous?
In the entire known history, there is no documented case of anyone being hurt with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way. If anyone tries to give you suggestions against your morals, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about, you could instantly exit from the state of hypnotic trance on your own.
Is hypnosis a 100% consent state?
If at any time you want to come out of the state of hypnosis, for any reason, you will instantly, naturally open your eyes and become fully alert. No one can keep you in hypnosis against your will. And nobody can force you to do something against your wish, which might compromise your values, beliefs, morals.
Can hypnosis help me?
Please ask yourself these questions and think about it for a moment. What are your issues, problems or what you want to change or improve. For example, Overcome my fear of public speaking?, Improving my cricket game?, Helping me relax during exams or interview?, sticking to healthy diet?, Going to Gym or doing workouts without missing any day?, Curing my insomnia? etc. the list goes on, you know your questions better, now that you have questions in mind, ask yourself, “Does my mind interact with this issue/activity in any way? Do my thoughts/beliefs affect my performance?
Do my feelings contribute to my experiences in this area? Have I had past experiences that are reinforcing my beliefs/thoughts/emotions in a negative way? If you answer is yes, then definitely Hypnosis can be useful for you. The mind, body and emotions are all connected. Therefore, I’m not aware of any issue that can not be at least significantly improved/relieved through the regular use of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is used to change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. It will not make you grow taller or change the color of your eyes, but it will help with emotional states of mind that contribute towards the healing of conditions and works with ‘Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors’
How is hypnotherapy different than affirmations?
Hypnotherapy has the advantage of being able to communicate with the subconscious in a two-way, you will give give suggestion and you get the feedback, but Affirmations can only command subconscious mind and there is no way to confirm whether it is taken or not, there is no feedback.
A post-hypnotic suggestion is also different than an affirmation, since it is not just one line commands, effects tend to be more direct, more specific, and more immediate when using post hypnotic suggestions.
What Areas Can Hypnotherapy Be Helpful In?
- Quit Smoking
- Quit alcohol
- Motion Sickness
- Watch Less TV
- Confidence
- Self Confidence
- Self Esteem
- Being Less Critical
- More Patience
- Exercise Motivation
- Fitness Motivation
- Stop Blaming Others
- Caffeine Addiction
- Chewing Tobacco
- Addiction
- Chocolate Addiction
- Emotions control
- Dealing with Disappointment
- Being Optimistic
- Diet control
- Drink More Water
- Eat More Vegetables and fruits
- Forgive Yourself
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Ignore if someone snoring
- Impulse Control
- Inferiority Complex
- Motion sickness
- Let go of the Past
- Nail Biting
- Musicians & Singers Nerves
- Overcome Jealousy
- Overcome Insecurity
- Overcome Selfishness
- Overcome Shyness
- PMS
- Reduce Salt Intake
- Don’t forget your Medication
- Saying No
- Self Acceptance
- Stage Fear
- Stop Arguing
- Stop Comparing
- Stop Gossiping
- Stop Worrying
- Control Anger
- Weight Loss
- Don’t care what others think
- And much more..
How quickly will I experience results?
It depends on lot of factors, for some it works within 2 sessions, for some it may take many sessions, it depends on what kind of issue you are dealing with.
On average it takes 4-5 sessions to get long term if not permanent result. It mainly depends on your commitment and willingness. If you yourself want the change, and not because someone is forcing you to change some behavior, then the result will be quick.