About Hypnosis

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which one becomes more responsive to suggestion and direction. Typically these suggestions focus the person on a positive change. This could be to lose weight, quit smoking, become more confident or develop a skill.

It is worth noting though that in a state of hypnosis you cannot be made to do anything that you do not want to do. In a hypnosis session you are awake and while you are deeply relaxed you are fully conscious of what is going on.

The history of hypnosis is a long and interesting one. Various forms of hypnosis have believed to have been used as far back as the times of ancient Egypt. There it was used mainly as an anaesthetic, and to this day it is becoming increasingly widespread for people to be put under hypnosis before an operation.

The term hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypnos - meaning sleep. It was Scottish physician James Braid who coined the term hypnotism however years later he came to realise that hypnosis was not a form of sleep, but by then the term had become too popular to change.

The 1950's proved to be the most important decade in the acceptance of hypnosis as Pope Pius XII and both the British and American Medical Association gave their public approval to the field of hypnosis.

Hypnosis has received a boosted profile in recent years due to the many scientific studies into the practice, of which the majority have shown extremely positive results. It is now also more accessible than ever thanks to the internet and the large number of hypnotherapists who offer hypnosis mp3s on their sites at affordable prices.

The answer is a resounding no. The only circumstances in which hypnosis is dangerous is if you listen to a session while driving or operating heavy machinery or a untrained hypnotherapist attempts to use hypnosis to "cure" you of psychological issues. As long as you stay clear of these two situations then you will be perfectly safe practicing hypnosis whether it's on your own or with a clinical hypnotherapist.

Some people worry that once they've been hypnotized they might never be able to wake up. However under hypnosis you are never asleep or unconscious in the first place. Similarly others believe that they will be under the hypnotists control but again this is not true. When you are hypnotized you are still fully aware of what is going on around you and what you are doing, you cannot be made to do anything you don't want to do.

Hypnotherapists have a job to do, and that's whatever you ask of them. Even if they could put you in danger (which they can't) it would make no sense for them to do so. A hypnotherapist with no clients isn't going to be in business for very long.

Remember that hypnosis is an incredibly powerful instrument for positive personal change. Many people first try self hypnosis because it allows them to dictate everything going on without anxiety of fear. They then realise that hypnosis is a completely safe practice and become more open to visiting a hypnotherapist or trying hypnosis mp3s or cds.

Below is a simple induction that makes for a great introduction to self hypnosis. Try it for yourself and you'll get a good feel for what it's like to be hypnotized.

Find a place where you won't be disturbed for 30 minutes and get comfortable. This can be seated or laid down. Close your eyes and breath slow, deep breathes. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.

When you are feeling comfortable and relaxed imagine yourself at the top of a flight of stairs. Try to visualize the flight of stairs in as much detail as possible. Begin to walk slowly down the stairs, and with each step feel yourself becoming more and more relaxed.

At the bottom of the stairs is a door. When you reach the door you open it and behind the door is whatever place relaxes you most. It may be a beach, a garden, the woods or anything else you wish. Again visualize this place as vividly as you can. Walk around and take in the scenery. What is the temperature like? What can you hear? What does the group feel like underfoot? Take as much time as you need.

You can leave this hypnotic state whenever you wish, all you have to do is slowly open your eyes and take a few moments to contemplate the experience before going back to your daily life.