The word hypnosis is derived from the Greek word for sleep. However hypnosis is not at all the same as sleep.  Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed, trance-like state, where awareness and focus are acutely enhanced. In this state the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is revealed.

What does hypnosis feel like?
During hypnosis, the body is released from conscious control.  Breathing becomes slower and deeper, the pulse rate slows down, and the metabolic rate falls. The body may feel very heavy or unusually light, and the awareness of physical pain and unpleasant symptoms tends to alleviate.  Some people report that hypnosis feels very similar to the first five minutes upon falling asleep.

How does hypnosis work?
During hypnosis, the conscious mind is on the back burner, and the subconscious is at the forefront.  The subconscious governs our habits, perceptions, beliefs, and deeply rooted thought patterns.  The hypnotist is thus able to suggest concepts and lifestyle adaptations, the seeds of which become firmly planted in the subconscious.  The conscious mind allows us to analyze, problem-solve and get through the day, but it’s the subconscious that is ultimately in control.  Most people go through each day entirely unaware of their inner programming, and come to believe they are out of control of making important changes in their lives.  This is because the conscious and subconscious speak different languages.  To make lasting change, the subconscious must be directly accessed, and hypnosis is one of the best known ways to achieve this. For example, have you ever tried to talk yourself out of a habit or an irrational fear, and this only makes it seem worse? You may really want to get over it, however you will continue to fail as long as your fear or behavior is held at the subconscious level, preventing you from succeeding.  The more you think about it on a conscious level, the bigger it will seem in your mind.  Progress is only possible through reprogramming the subconscious so that unhelpful thought patterns, beliefs, and habits are eliminated or altered, and new, beneficial ones are created.

What problems can be treated with hypnosis?
People typically seek hypnosis to reprogram subconscious patterns, which leads to overcoming irrational fears, phobias, addictions, anxiety, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions.  Hypnosis can be applied to many psychological, emotional and physical disorders.  It is also helpful in relieving pain and recovering from injury or surgery.

Can everybody be hypnotized?
Hypnosis is a natural state that you go in and out of through each day, so the answer to this question is yes. Common examples of a hypnotic state are daydreaming, and "highway hypnosis", which is when you are driving and find yourself suddenly at your exit without remembering getting there.

Can a hypnotist make you do silly things?
Absolutely not.  During hypnosis, you are in complete control, awake and relaxed.  Nobody, including a hypnotist, is able to make you do something you do not want to do.  This may not seem true if you have ever been to a stage hypnosis show.  The truth is that people do silly things for a stage hypnotist because they have volunteered to go on stage, and they expect the hypnotist to ask them to do these things.  If they really do not want to do something the hypnotist suggests (hit another person, for example), they would reject the suggestion.  During hypnosis used for therapeutic purposes, the client has the same choice and free will to reject suggestions they do not want.
 
How long does hypnosis last?
Most changes made as a result of hypnosis are permanent.  There are times when the work needs to be reinforced at a later time, which is easily done.

How do you choose a hypnotist?
Some people are referred to hypnotists, but if not, then an internet search in your area will help you find your options. Hypnosis is very personal work, so it is important to choose a hypnotist with whom you feel comfortable.  It is also important that whomever you choose has legitimate qualifications and professional training in hypnosis.


What you focus on will grow. In other words, what you think about determines how you feel.  The first step in learning how to harness the power of your mind is to become aware of what you are thinking about throughout the day. One way to do this is notice how you are feeling at any particular point in time – for example, sad, happy, frustrated, free, etc.

Once you put a label on how you feel, then ask yourself what you are thinking about.  This exercise will clue you in to what your habitual thoughts are and how they make you feel. This is the first step to self-awareness and making impactful changes in your life.  

Two of the best methods for tuning in to your own mind are meditation and hypnosis.  Both of these enable you to ‘step away’ from your thoughts and gain an objective view of your thoughts.  These are powerful, effective techniques to start you on a journey toward the changes you want to
make in your life.

Do you ever get stuck in your head, wrapped up in endless thinking that leads you nowhere but more confused than when you started? Or it may lead you down a path of sadness, fear, anger, or another negative emotion.  Most of us know that thinking over and over about an unsolvable problem is useless and a drain on our energy. Then why do we do it, and how can we stop?  As human beings, we are wired to want to figure things out.  When there is something that is unexplainable, our brains sometimes don’t know how to handle it.  That’s how our thinking can work against us. The way through this is to learn to let go of useless thinking patterns. 

There are various methods to do this. One very effective way is through meditation. Meditation is the process of focusing the conscious mind (the part of us that thinks and analyzes), on one point of focus. This is similar to giving a kitten something to play with so she doesn’t climb up the curtains.  With our minds, this keeps the thinking part on one object so that we can become a silent observer of our thoughts. Over time we can see more clearly our thinking patterns, and be in a position of power to change them.

Another effective method is hypnosis. In hypnosis, the conscious, thinking part of our minds is on the backburner, and our subconscious is at the forefront. In this state we can teach ourselves to literally let go of thoughts we don’t want to keep thinking about.  Then, when in a conscious state, we can re-access the hypnotic experience and let go of unhelpful thinking patterns. 

Your mind is powerful. Through meditation and hypnosis, you can harness its power to make positive changes in your life.

Sometimes we get stuck in the middle ground of ‘should I – shouldn’t I’, unable to make a decision.  It is important to think through decisions carefully, especially big impact important ones.   However overanalyzing can be counter-productive. This can come into play with decisions such as changing jobs, moving to another city, trying something new, etc.  The other aspect that can work against us is getting bogged down in fear or the ‘why nots’.  This can happen with health related goals such as weight loss, quitting smoking, starting an exercise program, etc.  Sometimes it’s best to stop thinking, let go, take the leap and go for it. Just decide, and DO!