Q. How did hypnois originate
A. To understand the origins of hypnosis, one needs to look back in time before hypnosis was termed, back to the time of Franz Anton Mesmer. In about the 1770's, Mesmer investigated what he thought was the phenomena known as Animal Magnetism (or Mesmerism). Mesmer believed that by using magnets he was able to heal people of various ailments. He also believed that through the power of magnets, pain could be alleviated if somebody had an open wound.
What Mesmer did not realise was that the effects of Animal Magnetism were a form of placebo effect - people believed the magnets would heal them so much, that in some cases they actually seemed to work. This effect however was due to the power of suggestion upon the subconscious mind and not directly attributed to the magnets themselves.
In 1842, a Scottish neurosurgeon by the name of James Braid investigated and dismissed the findings of Mesmer. Braid believed that any actions that led one into a suggestible state, as practiced by Mesmer, were as a result of psychological processes. He termed the word hypnosis from its Greek origins meaning "sleep". After later realising that hypnosis was not related to sleep, but rather a form of trance, he attempted to change the term into "monoideism", however the word hypnosis had already been too widely adapted.
It was not until the 1970's that hypnosis was converted into a widely accepted modern clinical practice thanks to the work of Milton Erickson. Whilst there were other innovators of modern hypnosis at the time, Erickson is generally credited with influencing modern hypnotism to the way it is today. Erickson believed that the subconscious mind was quite distinct from the conscious mind, and that the subconscious mind was always capable in some way of being influenced - as a person would be in a trance. Erickson used his expertise to make breaktrhoughs within the field of clinical hypnosis. He heavily influenced the field of Neurolinguistic Programming, leading to the creation of one of its primary models known as the Ericksonian Model.
To this day, most hypnotherapists incorporate some techniques used by Erickson.
Q. What is Self Hypnosis
As taken from our Self Hypnosis page - Self hypnosis is the process of sending oneself into a deep trance, either through the guidance of a hypnotist or by using prerecorded audio or video tapes. Once a person is in a trance they are highly vulnerable to external influence, especially words. Any suggestions that are made to a person in this state are acted upon by the person. This is a phenomena known as autosuggestion.
Q. What is Covert Hypnosis
As taken from our Covert Hypnosis page - Covert Hypnosis (often refered to as either "Conversational Hypnosis" or "Indirect Hypnosis"), is the ability to hypnotise a person without them being aware of it. The process involves inducing a person (the subject), into a trance. When in a trance, the subject is highly vulernable to suggestions given by the hypnotist. The hypnotist is able to coerse the subject into thinking or doing things they normally wouldn't.
Q. What is Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)?
As taken from our NLP page - Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) is a style of conversation management that is used to model the behaviour of another person. By replicating the verbal and non verbal communication behaviours of a person, one is able to establish almost instantaneous rapport with that person. From here, NLP progresses into many other forms of conversation management that can be used to help the subject change their thoughts, beliefs or the very way they think.
Q. Is it possible to hypnotise someone against their will?
The answer is a definite no. All participants of hypnosis must be in a voluntary, relaxed, trance-like state in order to be open to suggestion. You may however notice that at stage shows lots of people are hypnotised, or on various TV shows hypnotists are able to hypnotise people off the street almost instantaneously. This is because all subjects are willing to be hypnotised - even if they're not aware of it from a conscious level.
This is where the art of NLP and Covert Hypnosis comes in. By talking to a person in a specific way that establishes rapport with them, and relaxes them, it becomes much easier to induce that person into a trance - a state where they're highly suggestible. Therefore it is possible to hypnotise people without them being aware of it, however this sense of rapport or trust must be first established.
Q. Are stage hypnotist shows real?
Most of them are, yes. The reason they work is because all participants are subconsciously expecting to be hypnotised. When one is so open to the suggestion of being hypnotised, it becomes much easier to induce them into a trance. If a large group of people are in a trance, it becomes possible to hypnotise them simultaneously if the hypnotist is trained appropriately.
Q. Will an online course really teach me hypnosis?
There are a lot of online courses out there that aren't made by properly trained hypnotists, and thus it becomes difficult to separate the real ones from the fake ones. Before purchasing an online hypnosis course, make sure it was created by a credible hypnotist. The online courses that actually do work all come with money back guarantees - their creators are usually confident enough in their product that they're prepared to offer this guarantee.
We have personally reviewed what we deem to be the best online hypnosis courses. These reviews are available within our product reviews section. To answer the question - yes, these courses will work, if you dedicate yourself and apply the time and training that they require.
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