What is Hypnosis?

The American Medical Association defines hypnosis as "a temporary condition of altered attention, within which a variety of phenomena may appear spontaneously or manifest themselves in response to verbal or other stimulus". To state it simply, susceptibility to suggestion is increased in hypnosis. Thus, hypnosis can be considered a "learning process" and it is a natural state of mind. Waking is a state of accomplishment and you are not asleep while in hypnosis. Sleep is a state of rest. Hypnosis is a tool given to us for self-improvement.

This phenomenon has existed since the beginning of humankind; it is a part of everyday life.

Although, hypnosis was pushed underground by some medical leaders over the past century, the American Medical Association - in 1958 - formally approved hypnosis as a medical tool. It will, of course, take time to educate the public to realize the real value of hypnosis.

In the minds of some people, the word hypnosis has connections of magic, of "hocus-pocus". Movies, novels and stage entertainment often contribute to misconceptions.

A hypnotic state is something that the subject really accomplishes himself, a state of complete relaxation, physical and mental. It is not medicine nor is it a "cure-all", but a tool that can benefit you immensely. Hypnosis is a combination of confidence and suggestion that can have marvelous results.

The past decade has seen and intense renewal of interest in applications of hypnosis and it has risen from an esoteric mystique to an accepted and valuable modality for self-improvement.