Monday, March 19, 2007

Can You Use Hypnosis to Stop Smoking ?

by ian Williamson

All habits, inhibitions, and mental blocks are stored in our subconscious mind. With each of these factors there are associated feelings and sensations. Some time in the past these emotional inputs - feelings and sensations - were experienced repeatedly. The repetition reinforced those emotions and made them more dominating than other emotions. The subconscious mind tries to re-live the experience, creates situations so that dominating emotions appear again and again and get further reinforced. As a result the subconscious mind creates and maintains self-made limitations.

To take an example, say a person has a habit of smoking. There are physical and mental sensations connected with smoking. The subconscious mind will try to experience those sensations again. It will create a situation in which smoking will become a "necessity". The data stored with the subconscious will be confirmed and the subconscious mind will happily conclude that smoking is a necessity.

To break any bad habit or limitations set up in the subconscious it will be necessary to change the conviction held by it. The stored emotions of bad habit will have to be replaced with desirable emotions. Hypnotism is one of the methods for changing the beliefs held by the subconscious mind.

There are two broad stages in the process of hypnotism.

1. Relaxation 2. Focus on the problem

In the relaxed condition the subconscious mind is more receptive. You will need to have some perfection in achieving relaxation by practicing stage 1 several times. This is a necessary precondition for hypnosis. After you are sufficiently trained in relaxation you can divert your attention to problem solving. By this technique it is possible to solve virtually any personal problems.

Relaxation

Try to recall an event in which you felt totally relaxed. It could be your recent vacation or meeting with old friends or time you spent in reserve forest away from daily problems. It could be any situation with which memory of your relaxation is connected. If you cannot recall any event you can invent one in your imagination. You can have a combination of real life and imaginary situations.

After deciding the situation you will mentally go there. Write down the steps for going there from your present position. Your steps could be something like this.

1. I am sitting comfortably on my favorite chair. 2. Now I am shutting out my worries. 3. My nerves have calmed down and I am feeling more relaxed. 4. My breathing is becoming more rhythmic and relaxed. 5. I am breathing more deeply. (Concentrate on your breathing for a minute or two.) 6. I am feeling that I have descended into Endcity Park. (Try to remember the park in detail.) 7. I am enjoying the natural surroundings, the smell of fresh air, all around there is feast for my eyes. 8. The atmosphere is so soothing and relaxing. 9. I feel totally relaxed. 10. I am totally relaxed.

After writing these steps, revise and remember them thoroughly because once you start the process of relaxation you cannot break to consult your notes.

In the entire process of relaxation you will be talking to yourself. You can silently talk to yourself or record your talk in your voice and play the recording when you want to relax. While recording speak in slow and soothing voice. For each step give sufficient time in your recording to experience the feelings as if you are really there.

When you are ready to start the process, sit comfortably in your favorite chair. Close your eyes, silently start talking to yourself and go through the steps one by one. (Or play the recording). Give sufficient time and stress to each step to capture the emotions. After you reach equivalent of step 10 given in the example above you can retrace your steps and return back to normalcy. You should practise these steps few times so that you are able to relax quickly at will.

Now you are ready to focus on your attention on resolving the problems. From step 10, or its equivalent, you can go directly to the next stage.

Focus on Problem Solving

There are several methods of concentrating on the problems. A method called 'pattern interrupting' works well for eliminating habits like smoking. In this method you start with writing the steps and feelings associated with execution of your bad habit.

If you wish to quit smoking, make a list of all the steps you take when you smoke. Following steps are only suggestive; you can make your own steps:

1. I am totally relaxed (you will be continuing from the relaxed position). 2. I have an urge to smoke. 3. I take out a cigarette. There goes my 50c (or whatever the cost of one cigarette). 4. I take out my lighter. 5. I can already feel the excitement of smoking. 6. I light my cigarette. 7. I am now smoking (remember the taste and the sensation of smoking). 8. My cigarette is over and I throw away the stub. 9. The evil act of smoking is over. At last! 10. Feeling of guilt. 11. Feeling of mischievous accomplishment because I finished my cigarette before Anita could see me smoking. 12. Comforting feeling that I will not be smoking for some time at least. 13. I am still relaxed. 14. What a great achievement it will be when I totally quit smoking.

After writing down the steps, try to remember them.

Next time after you are in relaxed stage start with the steps to focus on the problem. Try to re-live the experience. After completing the steps again think of steps 2 to 12 but not sequentially. Think of the steps in random order to break the pattern. Try to think of each step randomly about 3 times.

Now think of desirable steps. For example, you can concentrate on these steps:

1. I am totally relaxed. 2. It is good that my last cigarette is over. 3. It feels great just to think that I will not smoke again. 4. I am happy that I will not have to hide anything from Anita. 5. What a sense of achievement. I have finally quit smoking. I have done it! 6. This is the victory of my will power over my useless habit. 7. I am still relaxed.

After repeating those desirable steps few times you can slowly come back to your normal self.

Hypnotism has amazing power. When used properly it can bring about tremendous benefits. It is a formidable tool and should be used wisely.


About the Author: For More Quit Smoking by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Smoking/128

Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=189764

With Hypnotic Weight Loss You Can Combat Your Sweet Tooth and Stop the Damaging Snacking For Good

by John Leogue

So you have an insatiable sweet tooth? Or perhaps it's the uncontrollable snacking that's doing you and your diet in.

Regardless of the exact culprit, there is reliable weight loss help that doesn't count on diet pills or self-deprivation.

This proven solution is hypnotic weight loss and making it work for you is easier than you might think!

Let's look at exactly what hypnosis is, and how you can use hypnotic weight loss to better control your cravings and sudden snack urges, allowing you to control your diet instead of allowing it to control you!

According to the American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis, hypnosis is a procedure during which a health professional or researcher suggests that a client, patient, or subject experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior.

Most people can undergo hypnosis for weight loss and apply these changes in their sensations, perceptions, thoughts or behaviors about food and experience very strong results.

And, this includes you!

Although scientists have different theories about the nature of hypnosis, all seem to agree that hypnotized people report changes in the way they feel, think, and behave, and that these changes are in response to suggestions implied through hypnosis for weight loss.

People vary in their degree of responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions, but most people can be hypnotized to some degree. Scientists disagree about whether hypnosis involves a special mental state. Even so, with some professional guidance, you can learn how to become hypnotized, reaping the benefits of hypnotic weight loss for many years to come.

The premise of hypnotic weight loss is that "suggestibility," which is related to "hypnotizability," is a scientific concept and does not have any connotation of a weak will. Instead, suggestibility seems to be related to the capacity for using imagination and once you tap into this, those unwanted pounds are more easily shed.

Using suggestions, such as verbal or non-verbal promptings to act or think in ways the hypnotist indicates - and all in an effortless and automatic or non-voluntary manner, allows you to approach food and your eating habits with a completely new mindset.

The result: weight loss and long-term weight maintenance success.

You should know that hypnotic weight loss is most effective when you are highly motivated to overcome the problem and when the hypnotherapist is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the treatment of the particular problem, which, in this case, is being overweight.

Also, it is worth pointing out that some individuals seem to have a higher natural hypnotic talent and capacity that may allow them to benefit more readily from hypnosis or hypnotic weight loss.

This said, 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.

This said, you certainly have a better chance at succeeding at hypnotic weight loss when you team-up with health care professionals who use hypnotic weight loss on a regular basis and who achieve a high rate of success with patients when using this method.

Before you make any decisions about hypnotic weight loss and if it is for you, you should know that a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness. Unfortunately, many people base their assumptions about hypnotism on entertaining stage acts, but fail to see hypnosis as a valuable and proven tool that can help you control your worst eating habits.

So give it a try for yourself and see what you think when those unwanted pounds start melting away (and staying away)!

About the Author:Copyright 2006 John Leogue. Not having an incentive to lose weight makes weight loss virtually impossible. Hypnosis is a powerful weight loss tool. Find out how hypnosis can help you lose weight by visiting www.thezenofthin.info.

Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=264403

2 ways to learn hypnotism

by Clay

Hypnotism is basically a deep sleep, where your subconcious is more reactive than your concious self. While under hypnosis, you are aware of what you're doing, and it's possible to wake yourself up at any time. Hypnosis does not turn someone into a controllable zombie like hollywood would have you beleive although, it is possible to influence someone to do something they wouldnt normally do.

First of all i'd like to state that I am not a teacher and I do not teach people how to hypnotize themselve or others. I simply have learned myself, and will recommend 2 killer articles that you should not look past if you're serious about learning.

1. First and foremost is one you have to pay for, but it's worth it, the information is very organized and very easy to understand. I have read alot, and i mean alot, of ebooks on hypnotism, and i assure you that this is by far the best. Click Here! to check it out.

2. Second is a very well written (and free) article from wikihow.com on self hypnosis. If you are strictly interested in hypnotising other people i still suggest that you read this, it gives you a much better understanding on what hypnosis is as a whole. Find it Here!

About the Author:Clay has been practicing self hypnosis for over 3 years and is completely self taught from e-books and online tutorials.
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=257806

Can Hypnosis Really Produce Results?

by Bill Urell

Immense patience and courage is required of you to delve into the world of hypnosis, specifically self hypnosis.

Hypnosis, a field, which is starting to be recognized in the realm of science, quite recently is occasionally referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic submission. It is a transformed state of awareness or consciousness. The state of awareness differs from the actual or regular mental condition primarily through the state of relaxation it induces. It is not easy to achieve this state from the mind, it requires practice and training. Hypnosis for weight loss or as a self help procedure helps you comprehend and achieve more control over your actions and activities. Hypnotists say that hypnosis generates a state of deep repose and quietens the mind. When you are hypnotized, you can focus strongly on a particular thought, remembrance, feeling or sensation while warding off all the disruptions and disturbances.

Types of hypnosis

There are broadly two types of hypnosis; passive and command hypnosis. While using hypnosis for remedial purposes, the kind of hypnosis generally used is passive; the patient is authorized to, and assisted to, go into hypnosis completely of his own free will and the hypnotist plays an absolutely passive role. This method is quite the reverse of command hypnosis.

As the name suggests, in command hypnosis, the hypnotist takes up a dominating authoritative control over the patient who, may or may not be aware of the modus operandi the hypnotist is practising on him. Yet he is under the positive control and influence of the hypnotist. All hypnotism is basically self-hypnosis. Still, there are many procedures and modes to hypnotise, including CD and tapes. Because it is the mind of the person who is being hypnotised all hypnosis is considered to be Self-hypnosis.

The hypnotist may propose the methods of hypnosis for weight control so that you may chose and accomplish and achieve your specific health goals. The other method is that once you are in a hypnotic state, the hypnotist assists by stimulating your imagination by suggesting certain images. This conscious creation of pictures in your psyche is called mental imagery, and it's a powerful way to help bring about what you want to achieve. An approved hypnotist would teach you how to engage in a state of hypnosis by yourself.

It is reported that with self-hypnosis you can achieve your goals and become the person you always desired to be. It sounds far-fetched, but it is true. The process of self-hypnosis involves absolute relaxation and a guided process for connecting the mind to provide information and control and to produce optimistic changes.

Usually, self hypnosis programs are designed and prepared by people who have never met the person willing to be hypnotised. This may lead to negative or disastrous results. For the self hypnosis to be successful, it is necessary for it to be designed by the same person who intends to ultimately use and benefit from it.

True self hypnosis is tailored to suit the needs of the person undergoing hypnosis. One you hear people say self-hypnosis, it is in literal terms that the "self" is hypnotising the self! We have the conscious mind and the sub-conscious mind. Under hypnosis the conscious mind communicates with the sub-conscious. This helps to reprogram it, i.e. the sub-conscious mind gets reprogrammed. Usually it is asserts that while a person actually attempts to do self-hypnosis; he must be alone and must be in a comfortable position like lying down. Pictures may be placed, and it is then required to concentrate on these pictures and then try to delve into deep sleep. This is basically commanding oneself to fall asleep while concentrating on the pictures. This process will only be successful, if one is absolutely calm. If you are uneasy and anxious and feed yourself with negative affirmations, it may have detrimental effects. It is therefore important to give and command oneself to be positive.

Self-hypnosis is like an artistic hobby that requires in depth analysis and constant practice, without which one shall always remain a novice in the field. To take an example, as it is required by a person learning to play the guitar, to practice for hours and for years to be proficient in it, an analogy follows that, hypnosis may be mastered only with practice as practice makes a man perfect! The draw back with self-hypnosis is that its all in the mind therefore it is a mind game and the one with the maximum span of patience and concentration will learn it the fastest. How to choose a qualified professional The only drawback of hypnosis is that it is unregulated and has not been ratified by any medical rules as such. It might be a part of psychiatry, but it has a limited role to play as people do have inhibitions about it still. Hypnosis is not regulated in most countries, so it is advisable that one is very cautious while selecting a hypnotist. However there are some autonomous bodies and authorities, which give certificates to people who complete the specific course in Hypnosis. Licensed health care specialists like psychiatrists and psychologists also do perform some hypnosis techniques.

About the Author: Now there is a gallery of powerful information yours for the taking. Decide now to reduce stress and improve the quality of your life. Click here: Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=278929

Improve Psychic Ability with Hypnosis?

by James Malone

Can hypnosis be used to enhance psychic development? Anecdotal evidence dating back to hypnotism's early historical figures like Anton Mesmer hints that it can. Of course this assumes a belief in psychic phenomena-a topic beyond the scope of this article.

There have been attempts to test ESP in the laboratory setting and the results have been mixed. One of the more interesting findings has been the identification of test subjects who exhibit what has been labeled negative ESP.

ESP tests usually involve the subjects trying to ascertain a given piece of information without the use of the five physical senses. For example, being able to tell what someone is drawing in another room or picking the order of playing cards in a well shuffled deck.

In the design of these tests it is recognized that a certain percentage of correct random guesses are to be expected. Any result that goes beyond these parameters is considered to be significant.

It is obvious that being able to score consistently higher than chance on an ESP test suggests some sort of enhanced psychic facility. Yet there are also those individuals who repeatedly score or worse than what would be expected with just random guessing-thus the person with negative ESP.

Indian researchers B.K. Kanthamani and K. Ramakrishna Rao identified distinctive personality traits associated with those who scored both negative and positive ESP in their lab experiments.

Those with positive ESP on the whole tended to be outgoing, enthusiastic, adventuresome and relaxed. The negative ESP subjects were prone to be tense, withdrawn, easily frustrated and suspicious. It was surmised that the traits common to the negative ESP group most likely stand in the way of all their endeavors, including their psychic development

So can hypnosis improve psychic ability? It is a powerful tool that enables the individual to access and refine more of his or her mental abilities. If the development of a more relaxed and optimistic personality does indeed boost ESP, the answer is yes. But you knew that already, didn't you?

I am getting the strong impression that you enjoy learning about psychic phenomena. Wait there's more... I see you becoming incredibly curious about what the Psychic Development Course has to offer.

About the Author: James Malone is a Certified Hypnotist from Point Pleasant, NJ. He has also predicted that you are utterly fascinated by the topic of improving your psychic ability and sees you visiting The Psychic Ability Course
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=294781

How to Become a Hypnotist: 5 Helpful Suggestions

by James Malone

Public interest in natural healing methods is at an all time high. More people want to go beyond using them for their own health needs and desire to become practitioners themselves and hypnosis is one of the more popular arts. Have you ever wondered how to become a hypnotist?

Hypnosis is a collection of talk therapy techniques that uses trance and suggestion in order to alter habitual patterns of unhealthy thought, feeling and behavior. Quite often the results are rapid, dramatic and lasting because hypnotism addresses many of life's problems at their root cause-the subconscious mind.

There are two basic categories of hypnosis practitioner, the individual who is licensed in some healthcare discipline like medicine or psychotherapy who integrates the techniques into his or her work. Then there are those people who practice hypnotism as a separate and distinct profession, often using the titles of Certified Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist of Consulting Hypnotist. The tips in this article are addressed primarily to those in the latter group.

A person who practices hypnosis is not born with a special power; rather it is a skill that is acquired through training and practice. Below are five suggestions that you may find helpful if you are considering entering this field.

Have a sincere desire to help others. Although a significant income can be generated in a hypnosis practice, your primary focus must be on the client's wellbeing and happiness. People can spot insincerity a mile away and a person in trance actually becomes more perceptive than usual. Be one of the good guys, love what you do and the money will follow.

Receive good training. There are courses in clinical hypnotism that claim you can be ready to work with paying clients after one weekend training-this is a dubious claim at best. The more respected hypnosis training organizations have set a minimum standard of 100 hands-on classroom hours for initial certification, with annual continuing education standards for recertification. Some of the better organizations are the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), the International Medical and Dental Hypnosis Association (IMDHA) and the International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT). There are also good online training resources, however these cannot replace the need for live instruction and supervised practice.

Research the legal limits of practice in your state. Hypnotism is not tightly regulated in most of the United States. However, you can get in big trouble if you appear to be practicing medicine or psychotherapy if you are not licensed to do so. As a general guideline, complimentary practitioners cannot diagnose or prescribe for a physical or mental illness; if you work with these conditions a doctor's referral will be needed. Nonetheless, there are plenty of folks, who struggle with "the everyday problems of everyday life," who need your help. You can do this without infringing on the rightful domain of the licensed healthcare professional. The aforementioned professional organizations can help you with these questions.

Use the skills on yourself. One of the major side benefits of a good clinical hypnosis training course is that you will learn invaluable skills related to being able to be more relaxed and confident in your own life. Be sure to practice them. As mentioned previously, the hypnotized person becomes more aware and perceptive. A tense and unhealthy practitioner is creating a sense of incongruence that will limit his or her ability to positively influence the client. Walk the talk!

Recognize the need for an entrepreneurial spirit. One drawback of a career in the natural healing arts is that unlike other professions, you usually cannot start working for someone else before beginning a practice of your own. Realize you may have to learn how to be business person as well. Chances are you may require some help with this as well. Consider establishing a relationship with an established practitioner where he can act as your mentor. There are also organizations like S.C.O.R.E. that can be a big help.

About the Author:James Malone is a Certified Hypnotist from Point Pleasant, NJ. Are you curious enough about how to become a hypnotist to learn some more? IMAGINE THAT! Might I suggest you see what you can learn from the How to Become a Hypnotist page?

Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=298215

Learn About Hypnosis and Make Your LIfe Better

by Abbas Abedi

Your awareness about hypnosis probably came from a number of fiction novels, science fiction movies, and TV shows. Some people view hypnosis as a paranormal event, but is it?

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines the word "hypnosis" as the state wherein sleep is induced by one person, called the hypnotist, to another person. Through the process, the hypnotist manipulates the actions and thoughts of the other person.

A hypnotized person readily accepts suggestions and orders of the hypnotist because he is in a state of subjection or vulnerability. Proper reasoning and normal thinking is set aside.

It is to be noted that the history of hypnotism can be traced back into the ancient ages when sorcery was very popular. The famous Sigmund Freud used hypnosis when he was studying the state of being unconscious.

Eventually, the practice of hypnotism has come to be widely used in the disciplines of psychology and medicine. Some practitioners even hypnotize patients to calm them or anesthetize them, modify unlikely behaviors, and ultimately, uncover repressed personality or memories.

Still, there is no exact or generally accepted explanation for hypnotism. Below are various attempts and theories that try to pacify the unending questions and curiosity about the concept.

1) Theories On Dissociation And Neo Dissociation

Pierre Janet, a French physician and psychologist of the 19th century, had a theory on dissociation, which is the state when components of consciousness are split off. Through Dr. Janet's experiments and observations, hysterical patients were pacified through dissociation, which is practically hypnosis.

In 1977, American psychologist Ernest Hilgard developed a neo dissociation theory, which was a spin-off to Dr Janet's dissociation concept. According to Dr. Hilgard, there are components of one's personality that are further dissociated from other sub-components through an amnesic blockage. Therefore, orders and commands from a hypnotist would alter one's perception and eventually, behavior.

2) Theory Of Role-playing

The theory of role-playing states that people are all playing roles. Any alteration from a hypnotist would provide a wake up call or induce reality. Thus, the theory is primarily dependent on the kind of rapport developed between the patient or subject and the hypnotist.

3) Hysteria

Another psychologist named Charcot has postulated that hypnosis can only be effective when people experience hysteria. However, modern breakthroughs have challenged the idea because hypnosis is found to take effect also on people who do not exhibit hysteria.

4) Partial Sleep

An early psychologist named Ivan Pavlov tried to explain the nature of hypnosis by defining it as a state of being partially asleep.

The theory explains the reason why a hypnotized person seems to lose his sense of own thinking and depends on the instructions of the hypnotist. Otherwise, hypnosis would not be possible because normal thinking would resist subjugation to other people's control.

Overall, a handful of professionals and experts attempted to explain and expound on the nature and dynamics of hypnotism. Some people still think of hypnotism as a form of a paranormal activity. A number of movies and fiction stories depict hypnotism as evil. Some people now perceive the concept as a creepy idea.

Above all, hypnotism is a way of understanding the complex and confusing facet of the human mind and consciousness.


About the Author: Abbas Abedi--Attain immediate stress relief and permanent stress management skills.Download my FREE stress management system, consisting of a 77 page ebook and 7 mp3s.Visit:Learn Self Hypnosis for Stress Management
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=307259

Can self hypnosis improve body health?

by Gary Machado

Hypnotism is a change of perception. Most people consider hypnotism to be some strange type of magic that is mainly used by stage performers to get normal ordinary folks to do incredibly strange things, such as barking like a dog or doing embarrassing stunts. Although this type of hypnotism exists, there is a very useful clinical advantage to using hypnotherapy for making life changes. A medical professional with proper certification conducts these treatments and will not make you bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken.

Hypnotism is defined as a feeling of being relaxed or in an altered state of consciousness. Imagine that you are awake, yet it is almost as if you are watching events rather than being in control of them. In this state, your mind is open to suggestions. And it is because your mind is so relaxed that hypnosis and self-hypnosis are effective in boosting your body health.

Professional hypnotists who work with people to solve their problems use this state to help you make changes in your lifestyle by suggesting things to you while you are under hypnosis. In this state, your conscious mind listens to these suggestions and stores them in the mind for future reference.

Although professional hypnosis can be very helpful, there is danger in using it. In the wrong hands or a person conducting hypnotherapy that isn't qualified to practice, it can cause you a great deal of damage. Simply put, you wouldn't trust a chef to fix your engine, you would use a mechanic. So if you are considering hypnotherapy, make sure that the person you are using is a properly qualified professional, able to help you with your problems both in and out of your hypnotic state.

Another useful way to use hypnosis to help with your problems or to enhance your lifestyle is to try self-hypnosis. With the use of CDs and self-hypnosis tapes you can provide suggestions to yourself and be in control of what is being suggested to you without the risk of your state of altered consciousness being abused. Self-hypnosis can be very effective and there are fewer dangers using it than using a professional service.

During self-hypnosis, your hypnotic state will not be as deep as when you are being hypnotized by a professional since you will need enough control over yourself to be able to make the suggestions. While in this state, you will be able to suggest things to yourself such as changing eating habits, being more confident or, basically, anything that will help to enhance your lifestyle.

To practice self-hypnosis, you will need CD, tapes or a guide, as well as a quiet place to use your techniques. Self-hypnosis uses a state of complete relaxation. Not only do you feel relaxed and refreshed after a session, you are also able to use this technique to overcome issues, which will inevitably boost your physical health.

copyright 2006 by Gary Machado


About the Author:To obtain Gary Machado's FREE 5 Part mini-course entitled "Hypnosis and Your Health" send a blank email to: healthymind@aweber.com
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=312129

Bodybuilding Hypnosis: Mind Over Muscle

by James Malone

Those rugged individuals who pursue bodybuilding and other strength related sports are known to be a group bordering on the fanatical-and they often cross over that boundary. Whether it is a new diet or exercise regimen, they are always on the lookout for whatever will give them the extra edge. Bodybuilding hypnosis is another tool that can have considerable potency.

Contrary to the image of hypnotism in funny stage shows or scary movies, a hypnotized person does not become unconscious or out of control. Rather it is a relaxed state of awareness where an individual learns to better activate his full mental and physical potential.

Clinical hypnosis is often used to help people successfully overcome fear, pain, lack of confidence, stress and unwanted habits. There are also three primary areas where hypnosis can help the bodybuilder as well, these being relaxation, breaking past barriers and maintaining focus.

Relaxation. As every strength athlete knows, muscle is actually built during the resting phase. Exercise that progressively increases in intensity places stress on the muscle fibers. During rest the body adapts by making them larger and stronger in preparation for future challenges. Although regular exercise is a great stress-buster, it is a rare individual who can relax deeply and completely at will. A lack of sleep and rest interferes with the hormonal system's ability to respond to stress; dampening energy, immunity and yes, muscular development. Hypnosis has a well deserved reputation for helping people to develop deep relaxation skills.

Breaking past barriers. Are the limits on your potential solely physical or is there a mental aspect involved as well? Sports history tells us the story of Sir Roger Bannister, the first human to run a mile in under four minutes. Prior to that, many "experts" proclaimed that this feat was impossible and possibly life-threatening. What is most interesting is that after Bannister smashed that barrier, several other runners followed suit soon after. Nothing had changed about them physically. Rather the collective belief system of those athletes had undergone a transformation for the better. Hypnosis enables you to overcome self-imposed limitations. Maybe your potential is greater than you have suspected?

Increasing focus. It has been noted that successful people are usually both confident and intently focused on what they truly want. The word "confident" itself is derived from the Latin for "with faith." If you can persistently focus on a compelling goal image, your behaviors will unconsciously change in order to turn that picture into reality. Most people lack focus and are vague as to what they want out of life or from their training routine for that matter. As a result their efforts tend to be scattered and inconsistent. Is it that you want greater size, strength or definition? A few minutes spent every day relaxing and focusing on your desired outcomes will pay handsome dividends.

If mind over matter is possible, certainly mind over muscle is as well and should be considered when putting together a well-rounded training program.

About the Author: James Malone is a Certified Hypnotist from Point Pleasant, NJ. He realizes that you would probably kick sand in his face if he were to suggest that hypnosis could replace proper diet and exercise when it comes to building your ideal physique. But what about an extra 5% edge? Visit Mind Over Muscle to learn more.
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=321311

5 Great Tips for those asking themselves, "How do I Quit Smoking?"

by Hamish Jones

Everyday throughout the world, smokers wake up and say "How do I quit smoking?" The most common way to quit smoking is through nicotine replacement therapy (eg. Patches, gum, inhalers etc.) However, the problem with this is you are still putting one of the addictive ingredients of cigarettes into your bloodstream- nicotine. It helps beat the cravings whilst you have the nicotine replacement, but if you run out of patches or what ever, it is much easier to buy a packet of cigarettes to get your fix than it is to get your nicotine replacement treatment. As such, below you will find tips if you are asking yourself, "how do I quit smoking naturally?"

1. Drink Water.

Drinking water is a healthy way to quit smoking. Many people are not physically addicted to cigarettes but psychologically addicted to the hand to mouth action of smoking cigarettes. You have two options here; you can carry around a bottle of water and sip from it when you feel like a cigarette, or, when you feel a craving, walk to another room and drink a glass of water slowly. Cravings are usually gone within 5 minutes. 2. Exercise

The good feelings you get from improving your fitness will encourage you to stay away from cigarettes and the shortness of breath associated with them.

3. Carry Gum or chewy lollies

As with number 1, many smokers are more psychologically than physically addicted to cigarettes. If you carry normal gum or lollies, you can put one of these in your mouth when you get a craving. If you are asking yourself, "how do I quit smoking?" this may be the option for you if you wish to avoid nicotine replacement options.

4. Stop drinking alcohol and caffeine

Many people associate smoking with drinking alcohol or coffee. So if you are serious about quitting smoking, you should cut back on alcohol and caffeine and putting yourself in places where you are used to smoking.

5. Hypnotism and Neuro-linguistic Programming

This is an option for those that are keen to quit smoking naturally, but the above options have not worked. It involves working with your mind and manipulating your thinking to make you not want to smoke.

Everyday throughout the world, smokers wake up and say "How do I quit smoking?" The purpose of this article is to give you some tips to naturally quit smoking for good.

About the Author:
If you are keen about quitting smoking naturally and would like to learn more about quitting smoking using neuro-linguistic programming Click Here!
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What is Hypnosis?

by Clifford Mee

When you think of hypnosis, a variety of thoughts may come to your mind. But none of them probably really paints the correct picture. Hypnosis is a natural state that occurs within the mind that offers many different levels to explore. When one experiences a hypnotic journey, they will have entered what is called an altered consciousness. With connections to the mind and sleep, the meaning of the word actually comes from a Greek term meaning sleep.

In order to understand how hypnosis works, one will have to pay attention to some of the components that make up an episode. To make things a little easier, it is suggested to take a look at the Hypnotic Formula, which involves four different aspects. Often referred to as BICE, it is thought that combining belief, imagination, conviction and expectation will lead to results. When it comes to the formula, individuals should know that the magic takes place within the mind of the person who is coming to a hypnotic experience. It is not something that occurs in the mind of the hypnotist.

If one were to define the language of the subconscious, it would most likely be the imagination. It is through the imagination that the perfect environment for hypnosis is created. When an individual is able to imagine themselves becoming hypnotized, they will experience an easier journey toward entering the state in which hypnosis takes place. Belief serves as another influential chunk of hypnosis, as anything that a person believes will occur is bound to happen if they have any say through their actions.

The final two aspects of hypnotism include expectation and conviction. If a subject is convinced that they can be hypnotized, then they will most likely fall into the deep state needed to benefit from hypnosis. Through expectation, whatever they believe or imagine will happen has a higher chance of occurring regardless of whether it is the real outcome or one that is perceived.

Just as there are four pieces of the hypnosis formula pie, there are four main patterns of brain activity in sessions of hypnotism. These various states of the mind are often accurately measured through the analysis of beta, alpha, theta and delta. For example, the alpha state of mind is one of the most talked about parts of hypnosis, while theta brain waves are prominent during stretches of a dream state.

Hypnosis is actually a rather intriguing puzzle that has many different pieces connected to it. In most cases, you may view the actions of a person while they are under hypnosis, but don't have the slightest clue why they do the things they do while under. Since the mind is such a complicated machine to understand, we may never fully grasp the beauty and mystery that hypnosis brings. While there are many gray areas associated with hypnosis, there is still a variety of basic characteristics to consider.

To best give an example of hypnosis, it can be described as a trance state in which extreme levels of suggestibility, relaxation and a heightened sense of imagination are tapped into. Some liken it to sleep, but in actuality, the subject is aware throughout the entire process. So, a better comparison would include daydreaming because you are fully conscious, but surrounding distractions are non-existent to your senses.

There are many different forms of trances, but many researchers feel that they are all forms of self-hypnosis. Milton Erickson, a leader in conducting studies regarding the subject during the 20th century, believed that all people hypnotized themselves as part of a daily routine. Many dismiss these examples and rather focus on the trance states that occur through extreme relaxation and focusing exercises.

Common Techniques

Throughout history, a wide range of hypnosis techniques has been created, highlighting the many years of hard and ingenious work regarding pioneering individuals in the field.

Fixed-Gaze Induction: If you've ever seen a movie that utilizes hypnosis, you more than likely witnessed the fixed-gaze induction or eye fixation. It is often characterized by the swinging of a pocket watch or other object in front of the person being hypnotized. Hypnosis occurs through this method when one focuses so intently on an object to the point that he or she is able to tune out any other distractions. Once focus has been achieved, the hypnotist will speak to the subject in a relaxing tone of voice.

Rapid: When the mind is bombarded with a variety of abrupt, solid commands, rapid hypnosis takes place. This form of hypnosis works because the subject eventually surrenders the control of their immediate conscious. This is one of the more common approaches that stage hypnotists will turn to for the sake of audience interest.

Progressive Relaxation: When a psychiatrist performs hypnosis, it is often through this technique, which involves speaking to a patient in a slow, relaxing tone of voice. Gradually, the hypnotist will encourage complete relaxation and focus for the subject until a state of full hypnosis is achieved. When it comes to self-hypnosis, this is the method that is employed by meditation tapes.

Loss of Balance: When one loses their sense of balance through a slow, rocking movement, a form of hypnosis is achieved. This technique is comparable to the feeling one gets as they are lulled to sleep when swaying in a hammock. Parents have unintentionally relied on this method for many years when putting put their babies to sleep.

About the Author:
Clifford Mee is an author, hypnotist and wilderness explorer. You Can Learn Hypnosis with the latest Hypnosis Training & Hypnosis Cds at Conversational Hypnosis
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Hypnosis Training

by Kev Pine

Hypnosis Training: Practice Makes Perfect

Learning a new skill, the more you practice that skill, the better you become its that simple, it's the same with hypnosis. If done the wrong way, hypnosis will not work, you must become skilled in the art of hypnosis before you can hope to put anyone in a relaxed enough state to actually communicate with the subconscious mind. Learning hypnosis techniques, you must practice, practice and more practice if you ever hope to become an authority in the art of hypnosis. The best hypnosis training is done on your friends and family. This way, you can practice what you've learned on people who will forgive and forget you if you make a mistake and won't be annoyed because they paid for a service that you couldn't complete.

School, Books Or The Internet

Hypnosis can be learned in a classroom, or it can be done by reading books or even by signing up for an online course on the net. Learning Hypnosis involves using a calming voice, some objects to make the individual relax more, and even music and lighting to improve the relaxed, hypnotized state. You need hypnosis training to know what to tell the person once they're in the hypnotized state. This message to their subconscious can be instructions to help them lose weight, quit smoking, be more assertive or just to become a better person. Hypnotism doesn't work for everyone but with enough hypnosis training, you can become an expert in the art of hypnosis so that you can hopefully help as many people as possible.

If you're going to carry out your hypnosis training with friends and family, make sure that you take great care. Hypnosis is not a toy, it's not something you should take flippantly. When a person are in a hypnotized state, they are very susceptible to the message spoken by the hypnotist. It's during hypnosis that people can be made to do certain things they as a rule wouldn't do while wide awake. This leaves much room for exploitation and immoral practices. Just make sure that you are responsible with your new power and that you follow your hypnosis training with the intent to do good, not bad.

Hypnosis training can be a fun, and sometimes an interesting journey into the workings of the subconscious mind. There's no frontier to what you can do or find out once someone's conscious mind is put to sleep. You can help many people with all sorts of troubles, and that's what makes hypnosis training so worthwhile.

About the Author:
You may copy this article and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include the live link to http://www.hypnosishowto.com your hypnosis resources website. Thank You Copyright © 2007


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Hypnosis: Facts and Fallicies Surrounding Hypnosis

by Mike Rogers

What comes to mind when you think of hypnosis? Do you imagine yourself sitting in a darkened room with some goateed, dark eyed hypnotist waving a watch in your face while telling you, "You're getting sleepy, sleeepy?" Or, do you think of hypnosis as a form of mind control where you will be unable to control your own thoughts or actions?

In reality, hypnosis is an entirely natural mental process that you experience at least twice a day; once, upon awakening in the morning and again, just before you go to sleep at night. It is at these times when you make the transition from subconscious to conscious (upon awakening) and conscious to subconscious (just prior to falling asleep).

Another misconception people often associate with hypnotism is the feeling that they can't be hypnotized because they think hypnosis only works with the weak-minded. In actuality, having a higher IQ makes you a better subject because of your ability to focus more strongly on helpful suggestions.

Additionally, some people have a great fear of remaining under hypnosis after the session. "What happens if the hypnotist places me in a trance and then is unable to bring me back out again?" This fear is completely unfounded and absolutely cannot occur. There has never been one reported case of someone remaining under hypnosis since its inception. Even if the hypnotist left the room, you would still come back to full consciousness by yourself in just a few moments.

Another fear that some people hold is that they will be completely under the control of the hypnotist and do everything he tells them. Extensive research and testing has proven otherwise. I recall one stage hypnotist mentioning that he often disproves this fear by hypnotizing a female subject, then having her stand, raise her arms and other such normal acts and then he tells her to remove her blouse. At this point, the subject always brings herself out of hypnosis completely on her own. The subject always has the choice of either accepting or rejecting any suggestion given by the hypnotist.

Hypnotism is a completely safe and normal process. There is absolutely no danger of being harmed during or after a hypnotic session. You will always be in control and have the option of accepting or rejecting any or all post-hypnotic suggestions and there is no chance of remaining locked in trance. If you have never experienced the wonderful, relaxed feeling of hypnosis then you have missed out on a truly life changing experience.

About the Author:
Mike Rogers is a trained hypnotist and author of several special reports on hypnosis. For further information and articles, please visit http://www.deepertrance.com.


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How Hypnosis can help you

by Robert Palmer

If you are interested in hypnosis you are not alone. Although many people do not feel that this works, it has been proven that it can be effective in more ways than one. For this reason, the hypnotism industry has become quite large over the past few years. This is why there are more hypnotists available today than ever before.

So how can hypnosis help you? Generally speaking, this can be done to assist many different types of people. If you are not sure about how this works your best bet is to get in touch with a professional hypnotist. They will be able to give you further details about what you should and should not expect.

Weight loss hypnosis is among the most popular. Every year millions of people go on diets and try new weight loss strategies without any luck. But when it comes down to it, they never look into what hypnosis can do for them. With hypnosis, you can get rid of the faulty messages in your mind that trigger your weight loss problems.

Hypnosis has also been proven effective when it comes to helping people to stop smoking. Just like other addictions such as eating too much, smoking is accompanied by thoughts deep in the mind that trigger the craving for nicotine. Through hypnosis smokers can get past these thoughts, and in turn cut this addiction out of their daily life.

If you are having any type of problem you may want to see what a hypnotist can do for you. Hypnotism is not the solution to every problem, but it can help in a number of situations. In addition to weight loss and smoking, hypnotism can also help you to beat a fear of public speaking and other like issues.

Even though hypnosis does not work on everybody, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Why spend hundreds of more dollars on a solution to your problem that has no chance of working? You should instead look into hypnosis, how it works, and whether or not you can solve your problems this way.

About the Author:
How to use hypnosis to end your bad habits, improve your self-confidence and experience deep, peaceful relaxation. Hypnosis can help you lose weight, stop smoking, overcome addiction, anxiety and sleep disorders as well as a wide variety of other common afflictions.

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Will Hypnotic Suggestion Control Your Appetite?

by Alan B. Densky, CH

Posthypnotic suggestion, thanks to television shows and movies, the very word conjures up the visualization of a beady-eyed hypnotherapist swinging an old watch and droning the words, "You are getting sleepy."

Do an MSN search, and you will find hundreds of thousands of web pages focused on the subject, especially weight loss hypnosis. Unfortunately, many websites that sell pre-recorded hypnosis programs for weight loss make unsubstantiated postulations. I've been a hypnotherapist since 1978. So I think that I'm more than competent to set the record straight on weight loss hypnosis.

First of all, self-hypnosis is a tool, just like a scalpel is a tool. Just as different surgeons have varied skill levels in the use of a scalpel, novel hypnotists have diversified skill levels in the use of hypnotism for weight loss. And to complicate the matter, there are many different forms and types of hypnotism. Here are some of the wild assertions about weight loss hypnosis that I've seen on websites, along with the truth of the matter:

"Hypnosis for weight loss will speed up your metabolism." If you want to know the total truth, the fact of the matter is that weight loss hypnosis won't speed up your metabolism. But it can be very useful at helping to program your subconscious with increased motivation to exercise, and exercise will increase your rate of metabolism. Similarly, self-suggestion to speed up the metabolism for quick weight loss can be effected by programming the unconscious to motivate the intake of increased amounts of protein, because that intake will step up the metabolism.

Hypnotism will make you become thinner. This is false. But weight loss hypnosis can be used to help eliminate your appetite, so that you eat less, and eating less can help you to lose some weight.

The average person's appetite and urges are caused by two unconscious programs: A. When you pair eating with any other behavior, the other behavior will trigger cravings for food and a strong desire to eat. This is called a conditioned response. For example, if you eat when you watch socialize, you will automatically get an urge to eat each time you see other people eating.

B. When you feel tense, you feel a strong desire to put food into your mouth for relaxation and pleasure. This is the result of programming that you received as an infant. When you got uneasy, your mom put a bottle in your mouth. You got distracted, relaxed, and probably fell asleep. Now when you get cranky (anxious or tense), you feel compelled to put something into your mouth for relaxation and pleasure.

C. There is a third unconscious program that is present for some people. It's called emotional eating. Emotional eating takes place when a person is motivated to make him or herself fat, because by being overweight they will protect themselves in some way.

For example, if an individual got their heart broken in a relationship, their subconscious will usually force them into an action that would prevent them from getting their heart broken again. Example: They are motivated to become overweight to keep them out of new relationships, because that will cast out the possibility of another broken heart.

D. I have written several articles on hypnosis for weight loss and emotional eating that are available on my website. There are some powerful ways to use posthypnotic suggestion to reduce or eliminate emotional eating.

So just how can weight loss hypnotic suggestion fix the above problems? Let's cover them one at a time.

In paragraph "A" above: Conditioned responses can be "wiped out" easily using a methodology that I call the "Flash." The flash trains the unconscious mind to setup a new set of responses. In the above example, the subject had unconsciously interrelated the image of food in the hand, with the TV. Each time he / she sat down to watch the TV, the subconscious mind filled in the missing part of the impression: It "Flashed" the picture of the food in the hand, and the subject felt a craving, and an urge to eat.

The Flash is a scheme that enables us to program the unconscious to use the depiction of the TV as a trigger for the mental impression of yourself watching TV without eating. When we lose the mental impression of the food, we lose the cravings.

When we momentarily disassociate (see ourselves from the point of view that someone else would), we are not able to sense our feelings (cravings and urges).

When we see ourselves in a behavior (watching TV without eating), we feel an urge to engage in that behavior. So the subject loses the cravings, and actually gets an urge to reject food.

In paragraph "B" above: The subject is eating and drinking for relaxation and pleasure. We teach the subject self-hypnosis for weight loss, because the very essence of the hypnotic state is deep relaxation.

And we utilize the "Flash" to program the subconscious to use the mental images that are triggering feelings of annoyance and stress, as triggers for secondary mental images that will trigger feelings of relaxation instead. When the subject feels greater relaxation overall, oral urges are greatly diminished.

In paragraph "C" above: We discussed compulsive eating which makes the person overweight. The "behavior" of being overweight then provides some sort of emotional protection. So we use a discipline called an NLP reframe, which programs the subconscious to be responsible for making the subject automatically substitute some other larger acceptable behavior that will provide the same emotional protection, in place of being overweight. And that reframe will cast out the urge to eat for emotional purposes.

Self-hypnosis for weight loss can be a very powerful method. I can only uncover the tip of the iceberg in this short characterization. Please see my website for more comprehensive articles and information.

About the Author:
Alan B. Densky, CH opened his hypnosis practice in Feb. 1978. He is the inventor of Neuro-VISION appetite control & stop smoking video hypnosis, which received a US Patent because of its effectiveness. Visit http://www.neuro-vision.us/ to receive Free hypnosis mp3's, or subscribe to one or more world-class hypnosis newsletters.

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