What Exactly Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state of physical relaxation and mental focus during which our conscious mind is bypassed so that our subconscious can receive positive suggestions to help us achieve our goals. The Subconscious Mind is the part of our brain that controls 80% of how we think, feel, and behave. When we are in hypnosis, our subconscious minds are more open to positive, empowering suggestions.

It is in this heightened state of suggestibility that the subconscious mind accepts this beneficial input. The hypnotist’s goal is to get the conscious mind and the subconscious mind to communicate with each other in order to shift old habits, negative beliefs and thought patterns into positive ones in a short amount of time.

The word "hypnosis" has been given a negative connotation by some in the entertainment industry. Hypnosis is not what you’ve seen on tv or in the movies. It is not “mind control”, and no one can be hypnotized into doing anything that he or she doesn’t want to do or that is against that individual’s morals or ethics. The one receiving hypnosis is always in control of his/her own mind, and will take suggestions only if he or she chooses to do so.

Hypnosis is a natural state, and in fact, we all experience some form of hypnosis every day. On average, adults go in and out of hypnosis 6-7 times a day. Daydreaming is a form of hypnosis. We are in a natural state of hypnosis when we chop vegetables, exercise, or do any repetitive task. How many times have you missed an exit off the freeway or taken a wrong turn because you were daydreaming about something else? You were hypnotized while your attention was focused on something else other than driving your car. However, had an animal or another car suddenly crossed the road in your path, you would have swerved or slammed on brakes to avoid an accident. So even in a state of hypnosis, we are still very aware of our surroundings and know what is happening.

There are many definitions of hypnosis, but ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis. The hypnotist is just the teacher. Of course, we hypnotists use many different tools and modalities, but with everything, YOU are the one who will be using your powerful, vivid imagination to let go of self-sabotage and attain the results that you desire.