Hypnosis is a state of mind characterized by relaxed brain waves and a state of hyper- suggestibility. It is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. When our mind is concentrated and focused, we are able to use it more powerfully. Hypnosis helps people to use more of their potential.

Therapeutic and healing practice of Hypnosis has an ancient origin. We can see the application of Hypnosis in Holy Scriptures and ancient texts in different names. It is evident that the phenomenon itself must have been known to mankind and indeed made use of it without proper awareness about it.

Hypnosis was known as “mesmerism” for a very long time. Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) was the propagandist of Mesmerism. Mesmer believed that he could cure his patients with his innate power which he called “animal magnetism”. He believed that he could transmit the magnetic power to his clients with the “mesmeric pass”. Though he was misconceived, his approach was true psychological. However, his occult like practices worked, if not for the reasons he thought it did. To sum up, his irrational theory leads to the development of scientific hypnosis.

An Indo-Portuguese priest, Abbe Jose Custodia Faria (1756 – 1819), is the person who revived public attention to animal magnetism by giving demonstrations in Paris without the use of any equipments . Unlike Mesmer, Faria claimed that it worked by the power of expectancy and cooperation of the patient, now known as suggestion. The statue of Abbe Jose Custodia Faria, hypnotizing a woman is positioned in a small square just near the Secretariat in Panjim, Goa, India .Abbe Faria is fondly remembered as a pioneer in hypnotherapy.

Mesmer’s theories become the motivating force for some enterprising physicians in that era. A number of clinicians with enquiring minds made use of it without fully understanding the phenomenon. Later Scottish physician, James Braid (1795-1860) thoroughly investigated the phenomenon scientifically and coined the terms hypnotism and hypnosis, after the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos.

The two towering figures lived in nineteenth century Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980), and Dave Elman (1900-1967) are the forerunners in moderninsing Hypnothereapy. Hypnosis in 21st centrury is built in the strong foundation stone laid down by Erickson and Elman who followed solution focused practice using rapid or indirect techniques different from the lengthy induction methods of the 19th century.

A hypnotized person does not sleep; on the contrary she/he can be more aware of what is happening in the world around than in a normal state of mind, as the senses usually work better

Nobody can ever be persuaded against her/his own will and anyone of normal intelligence and ability to concentrate are able to learn the hypnotic condition . All hypnosis is really self-hypnosis, so there is never a loss of control.

Hypnosis is just in comparable with relaxation. During the trance you are not immobilized or paralyzed. You can change your sitting position, scratch yourself, sneeze or cough. During the trance you can still hear sounds around you, for example the phone ringing.You will be relaxed and mentally stable in the state.

No, Hypnosis is a completely natural state, it is pleasant and relaxing. Hypnosis has been used for thousands of years to effectively speed up healing and relieve stress symptoms. Hypnosis has nothing to do with magic wands and occult abilities. As a matter of fact, hypnosis is completely normal, non-magical and with predictable consequences. It’s totally out of the question for a person to be mastered, manipulated or put in a trance against his/her will.

Self-hypnosis is when you hypnotize yourself. Learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control. This is often more practical as a stress management tool than normal hypnosis. The relaxation achieved with self-hypnosis can be intense. Unlike meditation, affirmations are used as part of self-hypnosis to manage stress and build self-confidence. Affirmations are the positive statements that we make to ourselves to counter stress and unpleasant situations in life.

As a matter of fact, all Hypnosis is really self hypnosis. Children are often in a state of self-hypnosis when they are playing imaginary games. Actors and athletes often use it to improve their performance. Because people are open to suggestion while in a hypnotic state, they can learn to change their thoughts, feelings, behaviour and attitudes.

Examples of everyday states of being in hypnosis are daydreaming, immersed when reading a book ,watching a movie etc. Self-hypnosis can be used as a part of a daily stress management routine.

Pick a time, and place without any distractions.
Lie, or sit down comfortably wearing loose clothing with your hands at your sides, and your legs uncrossed. You are more susceptable to sleep if you lie down so better sit comfortably in a couch.

Make sure you are not interrrupted by any thing including phone, door bell, kids , pets etc..
Then take a slow deep breath, and hold it for about three seconds, and slowly let it out . Feel the sensation fo relaxaion from the toe to your head.
(Repeat this step about five times, seven if you feel you need to relax further)

During your fifth or seventh breath, tell yourself that upon the complete exhalation of your next breath you will find yourself in the top of a flight of 10 stairs. Picture every detail of this scene from the top to the bottom. Tell yourself that you are going to descend the stairs, counting each step down, starting at 10. Picture each number in your mind. Imagine that each number you count is further down and one step closer to the bottom. After each number, you will feel yourself drifting further and further into deep relaxation. As you take each step, imagine the feel of the step under your feet. Keep counting and stepping down until you reach the bottom. Once you reach the bottom imagine that you are happy and relaxed. Consider rolling your eyes gently back into your head. It can induce a trance rather well.

At this point, you should begin to address the issue you are concerned about. Speak in the future tense. You should avoid using statements with negative connotation such as “I don’t want to be tired and irritable.” Instead, say, “I am becoming calm and relaxed.” Examples of positive statements: “I am strong and slender,” “I am successful and positive,” and, if you have pain, “My back is beginning to feel wonderful.”

Repeat your statement(s) to yourself two or three times as you wish.
When you are satisfied, say to yourself that you will now count upwards from 0 to 10, and when you reach the number 10, you will slowly rise back to normal consciousness and remain calm and relaxed. Proceed to count upwards, again picturing the numbers in detail. Open your eyes fully refreshed, and feeling much better than before. Each time you practice this exercise you will find relaxation easier and easier to attain.

I would suggest that you focus on one specific aspect of your life over which you would like to gain more mastery. There may be several problem areas you wish to confront but they should deal with consecutively, not simultaneously.

There are number of other techniques, which may be used for self-hypnosis. You can have good number of books on the area hypnosis from online book shops. Whenever you purchase a book on this area don’t forget to go through the book reviews. Be cautious that there are unscientific books in this area to misguide you!

People often fear that being hypnotized will make them lose control, surrender their will, and result in their being dominated, but a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness. Many people perceive these wrong idea about hypnotism on stage acts. Stage acts help to create a myth about hypnosis which discourage people from seeking legitimate hypnotherapy. In a stage setting, the person who volunteers is comfortable in front of audience. They are highly suggestible , and ready for the “role play”. Stage hypnotists are performers and they will take full advantage of the social pressures and group dynamics of the clients. Therapeutic hypnosis in clinical setting is entirely different from stage hypnosis . Clients who consult with a hypnotist do not come for entertainment. They are in the consulting room for their own burning personal problems.

The fact is that in hypnosis, the client is not under the control of the hypnotist. Hypnosis is not something imposed on people, but something they do for themselves. A hypnotist simply serves as a facilitator to guide them.

Hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion have played a major role in healing thousands of people. Recent research supports the view that hypnotic communication and suggestions effectively change aspects of the persons physiological and neurological functions.

Therapeutic Hypnosis can be used to treat a wide variety of issues. There is convincing evidence that Hypnotherapy can effectively be used in pain relief, overcoming addictions, fears and phobias, stress and anxiety, performance enhancement, surgery preparation…etc

Hypnosis will be optimally effective when the patient is highly motivated to overcome a problem and when the hypnotherapist is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the treatment of the particular problem. It is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality. It is of major benefit to some patients with some problems, and it is helpful with many other patients, but it can fail, just like any other clinical method.

Modern Hypnotherapists use Hypnosis not only for medical purposes but also as an aid for the solution of many problems of psychological origins. It is estimated that approximately 85% of people of all age groups will readily respond to clinical Hypnotherapy.