What is Hypnosis ?

Some of us think of hypnosis and we imagine stage shows where an individual is standing on a chair acting silly or quacking like a duck. We may say to ourselves, "Oh, my goodness, I would never want someone to have control over my mind like that."Actually, all weight loss hypnosis or hypnotherapy is self-hypnosis, which means that the client has complete control over their experience.

Remember, those at stage shows are there for entertainment purposes and when given the suggestion to "quack like a duck," would probably do so in their own living room as well. No one can ever make us say or do anything out side of our value or belief system when we are using weight loss hypnosis or hypnotherapy.

So what exactly is Hypnosis used as therapy?

Hypnotherapy is an "awake" state, where the physical body is relaxed, yet the mind is mentally alert. When the conscious mind is relaxed or at bay, the subconscious mind becomes open to suggestion. Hypnotherapy is similar to guided visualization, and allows us to become greatly absorbed in the experience and sensations of our ideas and imagination. If we can perceive it, we can achieve it.

Hypnotherapy is a tool that is used to rid us of inhibitions or behaviors that may be holding us back in life. We are always in complete control. Therefore, a Hypnotherapist or hypnotist cannot make us do or say anything outside our belief system or without our participation and agreement. Let's take a look at the mind, and how it functions, to better understand how hypnosis can benefit us.

Our conscious mind represents 12% of our total function. This is where we use our logic, our reasoning and our will power - like when we go on a diet, and our analytical skills - should I eat this or not? Our subconscious mind, which consists of the remaining 88%, is where we store all of our belief systems about life.