1. Hypnosis

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis is a natural phenomenon that we all experience on a daily basis. We go in and out of trance at least seven or eight times per day.

Hypnosis is the same as being in a trance. It is a state of deep relaxation where the conscious mind and the body are extremely relaxed and the subconscious mind remains awake. It can be compared to mediation, daydreaming or being “in the zone”. All of these are lighter states of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a safe method to bring about lasting change.

Hypnosis gets the Subconscious mind engaged and receptive to positive suggestions, and through these suggestions, the Conscious and Subconscious belief systems and frame of reference can become aligned and limiting belief patterns can be changed.

During hypnosis a client is in a state of increased suggestibility, focus and concentration.

Being in hypnosis is NOT like being asleep or in a comatose state. During a hypnosis session you are aware of everything that is going on around you, and you and the session facilitator, communicate with each other.

Although you are guided into hypnosis, you remain in control of yourself. This is a state of self-hypnosis (focused attention that you can allow to happen). Being guided just allows for a deeper state, where more work can be done, a lot faster, with the facilitation of a professional practitioner that knows what to do.

Hypnosis results are often short of miracles, and it’s achieved in a way shorter time with less sessions than other methods and modalities. The level of success is directly related to the client’s commitment to themselves and their level of motivation to achieving change in their lives.

We have different processes we follow, from building resourcefulness, self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence within clients to dealing with Inner turmoil and conflict with Parts Therapy. Internal conflict can lead to confusion, a lack of direction or a feeling of being stuck.

Regression is another process we use to deal with childhood and past traumas as well as deeper underlying issues.

HYPNOSIS AND SUBCONCSIOUS PROGRAMMING

When growing up, we received suggestions from our parents, family, teachers and others all the time, and what those people said, may have made a deep impression on us, and basically formed the beliefs we have about ourselves today.

Repetitive suggestions conditioned us, whether good or bad. If we were lucky and these suggestions were positive and uplifting, we would have confidence, good self-worth and a positive belief system about ourselves and our abilities.

If we weren’t that lucky, the opposite would’ve happened, often through ignorance of the person giving the negative suggestions, because they weren’t aware of the power and influence that their words and suggestions would have.

The subconscious can’t distinguish between positive and negative suggestions, so it acts upon whatever it is given, either by those of influence when we are small, or ourselves when we start having thoughts and self-talk. This can lead to dis-ease within the person. This can be manifested in thoughts, emotions, behaviours and physically in the body (unexplained ailments or diseases)

(Some examples of these are: low self-worth, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, insecurity, stress, excess in anything like work, sleep, sex, drugs, drinking, smoking, food, fear, worry, phobias, etc).

As we get older, we only accept suggestions given that are aligned with our deep routed belief system. So, if someone with a very low self-esteem succeeds in something, they would e.g. put it down to luck, and not accept that they achieved it due to hard work, diligence, intelligence, etc.

This is all done unconsciously and we are not consciously in control of this process. Memories and belief systems that are not consciously available can be brought to our attention and into our awareness through the process of hypnosis.

Not all memories can be recalled consciously, especially not those before the age of about 3 years old, and that’s where hypnosis comes in, to assist in recalling the relevant memories so the beliefs and experiences which are impacting on an individual, can be dealt with.

WHY HYPNOSIS IS SO EFFECTIVE

We work directly with the Subconscious mind and that’s why change and results happen a lot faster than it does when using Conscious mind based methods. There’s no conscious mind interference or blocking happening during hypnosis, whereas with Conscious mind methods, the Conscious mind is the critical mind that’s always analysing, questioning and blocking positive change.

You also get physical health benefits, like those you get from practices like meditation, a lot faster than you do through mediation. Total body relaxation and balance within the Autonomic Nervous System, moving the body out of fight-and-flight mode and into the rest-and-digest mode. This is where physical balance and healing can take place.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you’ve ever done any form of guided meditation, you have a very good idea of what to

expect. Hypnosis is like a deeper level of meditation where the Conscious mind is out of the way and we only work with the Subconscious mind, making the effects and results a lot faster than continuous mediation would be.

Hypnosis differs from meditation in the sense that meditation encourages the expansion of consciousness whereas hypnosis focuses the consciousness so that communication with the Subconscious mind can take place, and insights can be achieved.

There is also verbal interaction between the facilitator and the client during a hypnosis session, so the client is still present and aware of what is happening throughout the session, the only difference is the Conscious mind takes a backseat to the Subconscious mind, which means that you are able to find solutions a lot easier, and positive and transformational suggestions can be accepted by the Subconscious mind.

CAN I BE HYPNOTIZED?

Everyone can be hypnotized, should you want to be hypnotized. The only exceptions are people with serious brain injuries or someone that doesn’t have full cognitive understanding and interpretation of language. Also people that are deaf or very hearing disabled, can’t be hypnotized, as hypnosis required the person to follow the facilitator’s voice and they are required to respond during hypnosis.

MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPNOSIS:

Will I remember anything or will I be in a deep sleep or a coma?

It is NOT like being asleep or like being in a coma, you will remember everything that happened during the session. There is also communication that takes place between you and me during the Hypnosis session. You may however lose my voice at times and this is completely normal, this happens when the brain dips into the deeper brainwave frequencies. The Subconscious mind however is always active and will still receive the positive suggestions given.

Will you make me tell you my deep dark secrets or reveal something I don’t want to?

No, firstly I have no desire to know what your deep dark secrets are.
Secondly, during the session you don’t have to disclose anything you don’t want to.
You only disclose that which you feel comfortable in disclosing.

Can I get possessed when doing Hypnosis?

No, Hypnosis isn’t a portal for spiritual possession otherwise every single person would have been possessed by now as hypnosis is a state we enter into naturally multiple times during the day. When you awaken and when you fall asleep, you are naturally in a state of hypnosis.

Other examples are:

When you drive somewhere, and when you get there you don’t even remember how you got there (you were in a state of trance)
When someone is talking to you and you aren’t present (daydreaming)
When someone is watching TV and you cannot get their attention and they don’t hear you talking to them (they are in a state of trance and they’re not ignoring you like you might think)
When you read a book and you get so enveloped in the story that you forget about the real world and everything and everyone in it.

These are all naturally occurring states of trance/hypnosis, which means hypnosis is a completely natural process and occurrence.

Is Hypnosis linked to any Religious belief?

No, hypnosis has no link to any Religion or Religious belief. It’s a modality and a scientific process followed to achieve the state of hypnosis.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis (not regain conscious awareness)?

No you can’t, as hypnosis is a natural state we go into several times a day, even if the therapist doesn’t bring you out of hypnosis, you would either fall asleep or come out of hypnosis yourself. So you cannot ever get stuck in hypnosis.

Can I die?

No, hypnosis is a very deep state of relaxation and actually has many health benefits for your body. It helps balance the Autonomic Nervous System by activating the Parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for reducing our neurophysiological experience of stress and it reduces heart rate and blood pressure, thus allowing the body to enter a state of relaxation and repair. So we get to move out of fight and flight mode and into the state of rest-and-digest.

Will I be under the spell or control of the therapist?

No, it is NOT a loss of control, you are in control all the time as all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You are in control. This means that you CHOOSE to go into hypnosis and you CHOOSE to following instructions and suggestions given. You also choose to interact and converse while you are in a state of trance. I cannot make you do anything you don’t want to do.
You cannot be controlled and no-one can make you do anything you don’t want to do.

Will you make me act stupid and do things like they do at a stage show?

No, stage hypnosis differs from Therapeutic hypnosis. Stage hypnosis is for entertainment purposes and there is No therapeutic intention there.
The person that takes part in stage hypnosis show chooses to go onto stage and they want to be part of the entertainment. They still get to choose whether they want to do what the stage hypnotist tells them to do.
10% of people love to be someone else or they like to be centre of attention, or they want to have fun, and they are the ones who will volunteer for stage hypnosis. They want to be hypnotized and they don’t mind making fools of themselves.

Will my Personality Change?

No, Hypnosis isn’t going to make you into someone you don’t want to be. It helps with behaviour and belief system changes, and all change is always for the better, as we work on Your desires and Goals.

I don’t think I can be hypnotized

Anyone can be hypnotized, if you want to. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis which means that you are in control and you choose to follow the suggestions and my voice to go into hypnosis.

I have control issues

People who like being in control are great candidates for hypnosis because you are in control all the time. Because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, it means that you are in control of the process and you choose to follow my voice and suggestions. You are in control of your own experience.

I can’t think and talk in Hypnosis

There will be communication taking place during the session, so you will be able to talk. Thoughts may or may not occur during hypnosis, and it doesn’t matter, we don’t care for thoughts during the session.

Hypnosis is a “Magic wand”

Although Hypnosis is the faster modality that I know of, it’s not a magic wand.

SENSORY EXPERIENCES WITH HYPNOSIS:

Some people see, some people feel, some smell or hear and some people just get a sense of what is happening and any or all of these are normal. We all have different dominant senses and these tend to lead during hypnosis as well.
During hypnosis your energy might feel different, your hands might be in your lap but it feels like they are somewhere else or it feels like your body is turned sideways while you know that it’s actually facing forward? Your energy feels different or it feels like you’re spinning. This is a normal energetic thing that can happens in a trance state.
Your body might change in temperature, you might feel warmer or colder or you might feel lighter or heavier or may even experience a tingling sensation or anything else. During the session, everything that changes is hypnosis. Even if you sneeze or itch or move, it’s hypnosis.
During hypnosis you can scratch and move, and make yourself comfortable at any stage during the session.

SUBCONSCIOUS MIND (Inner child) vs CONSCIOUS MIND:

CONSCIOUS MIND:

The Conscious mind is your thinking mind. The part you use for most daily activities that require focus and attention. The one that problem solves and tries to figure things out, with its limited abilities and resources. It’s logical, it analyses things, it criticizes and judges. It’s the rational mind, it makes decisions, controls intentional actions, it’s self-aware and home to your short-term memory.

It is also the filter for information, and if suggestions, ideas or thoughts don’t fit in with your existing belief system, they will be filtered out or rejected by the Conscious mind.

In order to make positive changes and have new and better belief systems installed, you need to be Consciously aware of the changes needed, and you need to be motivated to achieve these changes and also believe that you can achieve them. Often this can’t be done Consciously, and that’s when hypnosis can help you achieve them.

SUBCONSCIOUS MIND:

The subconscious mind is where belief systems and values are formed, mostly during early childhood. Because there is no Conscious mind to filter the information coming into the Subconscious mind at that young age, it means that there’s nothing that can reject the negative programming we receive.

The Subconscious mind at that young age is like a sponge, it accepts everything it is given as real and true, and it becomes our reality, even if we’re not consciously aware of it then. These negative and limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves, can limit us severely throughout our entire lives, unless we can remove and replace these limiting beliefs with new constructive and positive beliefs. This is done with hypnosis. Subconscious beliefs can be so strong it can actually kill you or heal you.

The Subconscious mind works with feelings and pictures and is also known as the “feeling” mind. This is where all our emotions and long-term memories are stored, even the ones you don’t recall or even consciously know about. Thus everything we have ever learnt or experienced is stored in the Subconscious mind.

Our behaviour is determined by the strength of our desires, which is determined by the strength of our emotions, which live in the Subconscious mind.

Emotion → Desire → Behaviour

Thus, when we have conflicting desires, the Subconscious mind will usually win because our emotions are more powerful than our Conscious desires. (Think about emotional eating: if you are upset, your diet goals mean absolutely nothing in that moment, as the emotions override your diet goals and the food of choice gets eaten, even if you know you shouldn’t eat it. The emotional part of you overrides the logical part). Hypnosis is very effective in resolving all types of inner conflict and opposing desires.

The Subconscious mind manages your habitual behaviours and it’s also in charge of all your body’s involuntary processes like breathing, circulation, digestion, elimination, etc.

When we get caught in a cycle of stress and tension, the body gets caught up in a state of “fight or flight” and these involuntary processes (breathing, circulation, digestion, elimination, etc) can be affected and inhibited to some degree and this can then lead to health problems or psychosomatic illnesses.

The Subconscious mind can run multiple tasks simultaneously and it controls and manages behaviours and actions which have become habits to us.

Once we have done something enough times, and it becomes familiar, it then becomes part of the subconscious mind and an automated action or response.

We do many things subconsciously every day that we aren’t even aware of, like driving, or riding a bicycle, and if you’ve done it long enough, you don’t have to think about what you’re doing anymore, it has become automated.

The Subconscious mind is also where all your imagination and resources are. We have within us unlimited resources to help us achieve what we want to achieve, we just need help tapping into them. And that’s where hypnosis comes in.

We all have an imagination, even those that claim that they don’t, and it’s in the background, working For or Against us.

Creativity lies in the Subconscious mind and it’s linked to imagination. The greatest artists and inventors got their creations from their own Subconscious minds through dreams or dream like states (waking hypnosis or better known as daydreaming).

The Subconscious mind is separate from the Conscious thinking mind, so it reacts on thoughts we have and it carries out these orders. It’s doesn’t filter or analyse, it follows instructions.

Thoughts and self-talk we have on a daily basis, are often negative, like “I can’t stop smoking, no matter how hard I try”, “I will never achieve this”, “I can’t lose weight”, etc.

These are just a few of the 100’s of negative thoughts that pass through our minds on a daily basis, and these repeated negative thoughts become self-suggestions or programming for our subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagination, and therefore cannot judge or reject or criticize the negative thoughts or programming it receives.

It acts on the input it receives, no matter how detrimental it may be. Whether it’s conscious input or learnt beliefs and behaviours, it will act on this input. It has no emotional response or understanding, it has no sense of humour and any input received is taken literally.

If, for example, as a child, we got into trouble when we were being inquisitive or speaking our minds, the subconscious mind would take the information learnt from these experiences and try to protect us, even into adulthood, by prompting us to avoid conflict and not express ourselves and rather staying quiet. Whether this is in your best interest at this stage or not.

It wants what’s best for us and it tries to help in the best way it knows how. It’s where our self-preservations live, also known as our sixth sense. The subconscious is what usually drives us towards our goals in life, and if the beliefs or programming is negative, it can prevent us from reaching our goals. It can prevent us from having any drive and it can even halt and sabotage us from reaching our goals. This can be changed with hypnosis and we can get the Subconscious mind on board to rather drive and push us towards reaching our goals and achieving success and positive change.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONSCIOUS MIND AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

When you are wide awake and completely alert, you can process vast amounts of information rapidly and the Conscious mind is highly active. As you move towards a more relaxed state, the Conscious mind becomes less involved in processing information as it slows down.

As you move into a sleep state, the Conscious mind becomes even less involved and almost inactive as you move into a deeper sleep state. This means that there’s little to no Conscious thoughts taking place.

The Subconscious mind gathers info, stores it, manages information and retrieves it when needed. It’s the record keeper of all your experiences, thoughts, deductions and decisions.

It can’t reason or analyse information and therefore accepts and stores all information received, in a very sophisticated retrieval system. Our frame of reference is made up from all the stored information in our Subconscious mind.

The Subconscious mind is always active, even in deep sleep, whereas the Conscious mind goes through varying levels of activity and into almost complete inactivity when deeply asleep.

There are many processes and ways in which the Subconscious mind and the Conscious mind interact with each other, one of these is the way the information that forms your frame of reference, is safeguarded. All the information you have ever learnt, makes up your frame of reference, and this information is crucial to your survival in many different ways.

All new information, experiences, thoughts and perceptions Consciously encountered, are instantly tested against your frame of reference, your values and your beliefs. If it fits in with your current belief system, the information is accepted and your frame of reference is reinforced. If it doesn’t fit into your Subconscious belief system and the information is in conflict with what you believe to be true, it will be instantly rejected.

When we attempt to Consciously change a behaviour or a belief system we hold, and it challenges your Subconscious belief system and frame of reference, you either struggle or end up failing. The Subconscious always wins, so if the beliefs held in your Subconscious is in conflict or opposite to your Conscious goal or will, the Subconscious beliefs will always override your Conscious will.

During our learning and information gathering processes, from early childhood, right up to adulthood, we also learn many inappropriate, negative and self-limiting beliefs that affect our lives in a negative way. We address these beliefs and their effects with Hypnosis.

The process of hypnosis bypasses the critical faculty of the Conscious mind and because there is no Conscious mind to interfere with and test and block incoming information against the current belief systems, values or frame of reference, we are able to install new and positive information directly into the Subconscious frame of reference. Thus changing and updating the beliefs, values and frame of reference to being more positive and supporting of the client and their goals.

UNDERSTANDING THE BRAINWAVE FREQUENCIES

According to research, the brain functions at different frequencies and these frequencies correspond to the different states of mind we experience. These mind states have different levels of activity and interaction between the Conscious and the Subconscious mind.

For this purpose, we will be discussing 4 of these Brainwave frequencies:

BETA is the highest brainwave activity level we will be discussing. We emit Beta brainwave frequencies in normal waking states when the conscious mind is highly active especially when we are consciously alert, focussed, critical, in control and fully aware of our surroundings, and also when we are agitated, tense or afraid. This is the best state for analysing and calculating and your ability to reason is at its highest. At this frequency, your Subconscious mind supplies your Conscious mind with the information it needs to make decisions and draw conclusions.

Brainwave activity levels range from 14 pulses per second upwards on the Hertz scale.

ALPHA brainwaves are emitted when we are mentally and physically more relaxed but still aware of what’s going on around us. Your level of alertness decreases while your awareness is more focussed. It’s the ideal state to learn new information, learn languages, retain factual information, perform elaborate tasks and analyse complex situations and it can also be achieved through hypnosis, relaxation exercises, meditation or other calming activities. Brainwave activity levels range between 7-14 pulses per second. This state naturally occurs as we wake up, before conscious processes set in and as we’re falling asleep, and also during parts of our natural sleep cycle.

We also go into a light Alpha state several times a day when we recall information from the Subconscious mind or when reflecting or contemplating. It is a relaxed dreamy state and can be accompanied by introspection and visualization. In this state, the Conscious mind becomes less critical and less analytical of information and it becomes less active, while the Subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive information, and self-empowering beliefs can be built. You are also better able to conceptualize and visualize when in Alpha state.

This state is important when it comes to Hypnosis because it enables us to communicate and interact with the Subconscious mind, and it’s easier to imagine, picture or visualize, and recall information. We still have access to some Conscious thought faculties as the Conscious mind isn’t completely inactive, it’s merely distracted and it can still interpret information exchanged during a session. The Alpha state isn’t the only state in which hypnosis occurs, it can occur in almost any state if done by a skilled Hypnotist.

THETA brainwaves are emitted when we are in a state of reduced consciousness and when feeling sleepy (in a state of somnolence) or in normal sleep state. Brainwave activity levels range between more or less 4 to 7 pulses per second.

DELTA brainwaves are emitted when are in a state of deep sleep, catalepsy or unconsciousness. Brainwave activity levels range between 0-4 pulses per second.

Hypnosis mimics the natural phenomenon of falling asleep by applying techniques to consciously lower brainwave activity, thus taking a person from Beta (Fastest brainwave activity) to ALPHA (start of relaxation), to THETA (deep relaxation, creativity, and tranquillity, the state between sleep and being awake) and in certain instances, down to DELTA (deepest sleep stage).

Moving down these levels of relaxation brings with it many benefits, and significant increases in Beta-Endorphin, Norepinephrine and Dopamine levels, and it’s also linked to better mental clarity and memory formation. These positive effects can last for hours or even days. Creativity and clear thought patterns are also an advantage of deeper relaxed states.

We naturally go through the various frequencies right throughout the day.

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS USED FOR?

Hypnosis can be used for just about everything! There is nothing I know of that hypnosis can’t be used for. Other than being used to resolve problems and overcome challenges, it can also be used for self-growth and achieving goals and ambitions.

If you don’t see what you are looking to address in the following examples, don’t be dismayed, I might have just not thought about it, so please reach out to enquire about it, it most likely will also be able to be addressed with hypnosis.

Here are some examples:

Stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
Procrastination, Finding direction, Purpose in life
Deep relaxation and destressing
Self-worth, Self-esteem, Self-Confidence, Motivation, Ambition, Drive
Emotional problems
Forgiveness, Letting go
Dealing with Loss or Grief
Feeling Stuck (in a situation, a behaviour, etc)
Weight management
Self-Sabotage and self-destructive behaviours
Concentration, learning and memory
Insomnia and all sleep related problems
Hypnobirthing & Pregnancy
Inner conflict and life altering decisions
Past life regression and Soul Journeys
Phobias and Fears
Relationships (self, family, partner, work, social, etc)
Hypnosis with children
Compulsive behaviours and behaviour changes
Analytical and Regression Hypnosis practices (going back to the past)
Stop smoking

General health issues:
Adrenal fatigue
Asthma
Chronic fatigue
Migraines
IBS
Tinnitus
Teeth Grinding
Hay fever
Menopause

Pain management:
Phantom pain
Chronic pain
Hypno-Analgesia

Psychosomatic Illnesses:
Allergies
Asthma
Headaches
Gastro Intestinal
Stress
Anxiety
Depression

Eating disorders:
Anorexia
Bulimia
Picky eaters
Overeating
Emotional Eating
Bingeing
Cravings
Food Addiction
Sugar Addiction
Late night eating
Stress/Anxiety eating

Fears and Phobias:
Fear of Animals or Insects
Fear of Flying
Fear of Exams
Fear of Needles
Fear of Heights
Fear of Public speaking

Hypnosis with Children:
Relationships
ADHD
Bed wetting
Studying
Confidence

Relationships:
Infidelity
Trust
Commitment
Abuse
Acceptance of love
Abandonment
Rejection
Jealousy
insecurity
Divorce

Business:
Time management
Coaching
Productivity enhancement
Stress management
Confidence building
Enhancing Concentration
Team building
Speed reading
Direction
Motivation

Sport:
Body goals – weight-loss, weight gain, etc
Sports performance
Confidence building
Focus and Concentration
Mind to Muscle Training
Visualization
Sports Discipline

Addictions & Compulsive Behaviours:
Smoking
Food
Sugar
Shopping
Drinking
Gambling
Sexual behaviours
Cheating
Nail biting
Self-Harming
Hair Pulling/Twiddling
Picking of nails, cuticles, scabs, etc
Social media or Electronic devices
Gaming

Sexuality:
Libido
Homosexuality
Transgender
Frigidity
Anorgasmia
Fetishes
Porn addiction
Erectile dysfunction
Premature ejaculation

Spirituality:
Past Life Regressions and Soul Journeys
Spiritual Awareness
Spiritual Releasement
Intuition
Channelling
Age progression
Chakra balancing
Masculine & Feminine energy change or balancing
Energy field cleansing
Connection to spiritual beings
Unresolved past grief
Connecting to people or animals that have passed on
Higher-self connection & advice
Ancestral healing
Connecting to the Akashic records
Connection to soul mates, twin souls, ghost, nature spirits, animal totems, dreams, aliens, etc
Guidance and Inner wisdom
Connection to self or Higher power