Monday, March 19, 2007

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!
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=377304

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
Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=387390

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


Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=401095

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.


Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=414091

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.

Article Source:http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=417318