About hypnosis
The misconception and impression that many people have is that hypnosis is something magical, mystical and often dangerous. Hypnosis has even been portrayed by some, as a scary form of mind control, where people are made to give up control of themselves. Hypnosis is in fact the complete opposite. As people visit hypnotherapists or utilise self-hypnosis they gain more control over their lives, not less.
The phenomenon of hypnosis is firstly, and most importantly, a natural state of mind, which means that virtually every person has the natural capacity for a response to hypnosis. There is nothing unnatural or supernatural about it. Hypnosis is simply a natural state of physical, mental and emotional relaxation, along with a heightened state of awareness.
This level of relaxation is extremely comfortable, just like those moments before you fall asleep or as you start to wake up in the morning. You'll feel very relaxed, yet your mind will still be highly focused and aware.
Hypnosis is a means of moving into a perfectly natural state of mind, that people actually move in and out of several times a day. Everyone has experienced this trance like state, although they may not have called it hypnosis. We all go in and out of different levels of consciousness all day. Daydreaming, reading, driving are all examples of every day tasks when we may enter an altered state of awareness.
Have you ever had the experience of driving along the motorway and suddenly realized that you passed your exit several miles back? Or have you ever been so caught up in a TV programme, a book, a film or computer game that you've lost track of time, or not realised that someone has been talking to you? These are all everyday examples of a change of consciousness and an altered state of awareness. Hypnosis is just another example of an altered state of awareness. The difference being hypnosis is unique in that it can be utilised for self-change.