What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, generaly having the following qualities:

• A state of relaxation
• A state of contentment
• A state of being open to positive suggestions

Have I ever experienced hypnosis?

Even if you have never been formally hypnotized, you may have experienced an altered state similar to hypnosis. For example, if you have ever:

• Driven a car on a journey you are familiar with, and found yourself at your destination, with no clear memory of the route
• Become so absorbed in a movie or TV show that you became unaware of your surroundings
• Become so absorbed in a book that it appeared real to you

Then you have expereinced an altered state similar to hypnosis.

What is hypnosis NOT?

If your idea of what hypnosis is has been gleaned from the movies or television, then hypnosis is probably nothing like you imagine:

• You do NOT give up control to the hypnotist. In hypnosis you are generally totally aware of everything that is going on around you and what is being said to you.
• You do not lose the power to move. You are in complete control in hypnosis and may move or open your eyes at any time. The hypnotist may ask you to concentrate on your legs getting so heavy you can't lift them, to convince you that you are in hypnosis, but this will only be effective if YOU imagine your legs getting heavy. All hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis!
• You do not take on suggestions to do things that you would not normally do, i.e. things that are against you moral code.

What is hypnosis used for?

Hypnosis is used to make positive suggestions that can be easily accepted by your unconscious mind. During normal waking consciousness, our conscious mind can dismiss ideas and suggestions as being impossible or ridiulous. During hypnosis this censor or critic becomes turned off and we can accept positive suggestions. Such suggestions may include:

• Suggestions about our behavior, such as that we are a non-smoker, or that we eat in a healthy and appropriate manner.
• Suggestions abut our state. For example that we are confident, and relaxed.
• Suggestions about the past, for example letting go of old memories.
• Suggestions about our future, our goals and what we will succeed in doing.

Can I learn hypnosis?

We generally teach self hypnosis to our clients to give them a tool to continue creating positive changes in their lives. We also offer formal hypnosis training through the Center for Integrative Hypnosis, run by our good friend Melissa Tiers.

How does hypnosis relate to NLP

Hypnosis is taught as part of Neuro Linguistic Programming Training or NLP. Also many hypnotists use NLP techinques in their work. However NLP and hypnosis are somewhat different in their approaches to change work.

Call or contact us now for more information on hypnosis and our hypnosis classes and NLP training. iphnewyork@aol.com, 212 714 3574