What IS Hypnosis?

1.   Hypnosis is a state of “selective hyper-suggestibility.” This simply means:

• You are open to accepting new suggestions;
• You will only accept suggestions that are in line with your morals, beliefs, and desires.

2.   Hypnosis can also be explained as one of four different levels of brain wave activity.

•  Beta - When you are alert and awake, your brainwave activity is rapid.
• Alpha - As you begin to relax, your brainwave pattern begins to slow down.  This is the level in which you watch an intriguing movie, read an absorbing book, or drive a familiar road.
• Theta - These waves are even slower and are associated with deeper levels of relaxation. This is the stage during waking and drifting off to sleep when you realize that you are neither completely awake nor completely  asleep, but somewhere in between, and deeply relaxed.
• Delta - These slowest waves indicate deep sleep.
  Hypnosis can occur in Alpha, Theta, or Delta levels.

3.   A hypnotic state is perfectly natural, and something we all experience at least twice a day - once as we are waking up and again as we drift off to sleep. If, at any time during the day, you should happen to become engrossed in a T.V. program or a good book, that is a hypnotic state. Another everyday example of a hypnotic state is driving somewhere only to realize upon arriving that you don’t remember anything about the actual trip. Your conscious mind is focused on things other than driving.  This experience is sometimes called “road hypnosis.”

4.   Hypnosis is the intentional use of this naturally occurring state of awareness.  When you are in this state, your subconscious mind is much more open to accepting suggestions. This can be used to your advantage when you make a conscious choice about the suggestions, or “programming,” that you allow in. By consciously choosing suggestions that are in your best interest and are in line with your goals, you gain access your own enormous potential!

5.   Hypnosis has much in common with meditation, biofeedback, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, visualization, and affirmation.