What is Hypnosis?

 

Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that involves inducing a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, often referred to as a trance. In this state, individuals may experience deep relaxation and an altered awareness, which can make them more open to positive suggestions and insights. Hypnosis is commonly used to address a variety of issues, such as stress, anxiety, pain management, and behavioral changes.

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Please read Q&A below for answers to common questions about hypnosis.

 

Q. What is hypnosis?

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A. Hypnosis is a natural state that everyone goes in and out of every day--multiple times per day. And yes, I really mean everyone. When we wake up in the morning and as we go to sleep at night, we go through a state of hypnosis. Daydreaming or meditation is also a state of hypnosis. When you are watching a movie or television, or scrolling through social media, you also go into a state of hypnosis. It's a completely natural and normal state of focus, which you can utilize to transform your beliefs and behaviors.

 

Q. Is hypnosis sleep? Will I be unconscious during a session?

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A. Hypnosis is not sleep. During a session, your conscious mind will be aware, and you will still be thinking and observing everything that is happening. While Hypnosis is named after the Greek God of Sleep, Hypnos–and has its roots in the ancient Egyptian Sleep Chambers, this is really a misnomer. Hypnosis is an awake state with an altered awareness like daydreaming, or "losing oneself" in the story while watching a movie.

 

Q. What does hypnosis feel like?

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A. A light state of hypnosis is a feeling you are used to. Anytime you missed your exit on the highway because you were lost in thought, each time you cried when a fictional character died in a book or movie, whenever you caught yourself daydreaming, or when you read the same paragraph four times without remembering it–you were in a light state of hypnosis. Intentionally entering a state of hypnosis –whether through your meditation practice, self-hypnosis techniques, or with the guidance of a trained Hypnotist – allows you to become more deeply relaxed. This feels different for different people. Some feel very light, while others feel heavy. Some may feel tingly, while others feel that they are simply calm but not much different than their normal feeling. Typically, the relaxation will allow your heartbeat to slow, your breathing deepen, and your mind and body to feel calm.

 

Q. Can a hypnotist make me do something I do not want to do?

 

A. No. Despite unrealistic depictions of hypnosis in movies and entertainment, hypnosis is not mind control and your conscious mind is still in charge. Hypnosis can be used to help you align your subconscious programming with your conscious goals. But your conscious mind has to want something first. Hypnosis cannot make you lose weight, or stop being afraid of public speaking, or anything. unless you actually want to. For this reason, I don't work with clients who seek hypnosis to quit smoking because their spouse or doctor wants them to quit. If you yourself don't want to make the change you will just be wasting your time and money.

 

Q. What about those Stage Hypnosis shows where people act like chickens?

 

IA. Hypnotherapy is very different from those shows. In Stage Hypnosis shows, volunteers who like to entertain can willingly follow the instructions of the Stage Hypnotist for fun and amusement, but even then they can choose not to do those specific things they feel uncomfortable with. This is why Stage Hypnotists need to identify the right volunteers to make the show a success. A shy introvert who never enjoys being on stage won't volunteer or be asked to come on stage. When working with a hypnotherapist in a private practice, the goal is healing, not entertainment. Your goals are what we will work on together each week. If you want to have confidence on stage, hypnosis can help you with create confidence, but it cannot make you do anything you don't want to do. Your subconscious mind and your conscious mind need to be aligned toward your goal.

 

Q. Can a hypnotist fix my problem for me?

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A. No. You also have to be an active participant in the process to achieve your goals. When you are in a state of hypnosis, you are more open to suggestions. That is why people say to repeat Affirmations upon waking first thing in the morning or when falling asleep at night, because you naturally go through a state of hypnosis at those times of day. It is also the reason that corporations spend so much money on television advertising and product placement to take advantage of viewers being in a hypnotic state while watching television shows. But even the best advertising campaigns do not cause every viewer to immediately go out to purchase their product. And many people will tell you they have said their affirmations nightly for months or longer without changing their behavior. It takes a coordinated effort between your conscious and subconscious mind to make change.

 

Q. Is hypnosis an easy way to avoid putting in effort to change?

 

A. No. Hypnosis can make it easier for you to take the steps toward change. Through coaching and hypnosis I will facilitate your process of identifying emotional blocks that were preventing you from creating changes. It can assist you in changing your habitual behaviors. It can help you manage stress and many more benefits, but it cannot do it TO you. You still have to put in the effort toward your goals. The difference is your Subconscious won't be thwarting your efforts when your Conscious and Subconscious are aligned.

 

If you have any additional questions about whether Marija can help you with coaching and hypnosis, please schedule a free phone consultation.