What is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is changing our mental patterns by communicating and influencing the human emotional and belief patterning system. This can be achieved by reducing or redirecting the logical conscious mind so that the subconscious becomes directly contactable. How does hypnosis work? By communicating directly with the subconscious mind, the seat of our desires, dreams, imagination and emotions whilst bypassing our logical conscious. Once hypnosis has been achieved, we can change our patterns so a negative pattern can become positive. Once the pattern is changed the unwanted behavior stops, or a much better and more desirable behaviour begins. Are there any side effects? Yes. These include happiness, self-confidence and relaxation. Does hypnosis occur naturally? Yes. When we are in a state where logic goes flying through the window like when we are scared, angry, in love and when we are children until our conscious logical mind is mature. Our subconscious is in control of things and can be influenced directly. These are the times when inappropriate patterns are formed such as phobias and habits. Who are the hypnotists? We all are. Everyone uses Hypnosis and everyone becomes a Hypnotic subject at some time in their life. Parents, teachers and other significant people instill belief patterns either by direct subconscious communication or by repetition but always bypassing the critical logical conscious and delivering suggestion direct to the subconscious. Everyone learns using this process. However some people have developed their expertise and enhanced their understanding of such communication skills to a point where they can deliberately use suggestions to produce specific effects in other human beings. These people are Hypnotists. Is hypnosis dangerous? The hypnotic state itself is not harmful but to be hypnotised requires a qualified hypnotist. Can Hypnosis force people to do things they don't want to do? FORCE NO. Persuade and influence yes. That's what hypnosis is aimed to do. If we couldn't influence in this way then it would be a pointless exercise. Hypnosis can help you to do the things you do want to do. What is hypnotic trance? Your conscious drifts off somewhere and certain predictable changes happen to your body, sometimes this can be relaxation. Hypnosis is an induced state brought on as a reaction to suggestion. So trance is not hypnosis, just a symptom of it.		Can I hypnotise myself? No. Repetition of self suggestion can and does work over time but this is not the same as hypnosis. What if I don't wake up? Impossible. You won't be asleep. In hypnosis you are awake, but instead of your conscious mind filtering everything that's being said, we go straight to your subconscious, which is much more receptive to change. Can I be hypnotised against my will? You can be hypnotised without your knowledge and consent. That happens all the time and is how you have developed beliefs, desires and emotional responses. You cannot be hypnotised against your beliefs or morals. Can hypnosis make me develop skills? Hypnosis can remove limiting obstacles to ensure natural and learned abilities can be used with accuracy and consistency but hypnosis cannot create talent. Can hypnosis stop pain? Stop pain no, but it can change the way you react to it and take away its overwhelming control of you. Pain alerts us when something maybe wrong. This reaction shouldn’t be turned off but once things have been checked out we can control how our thinking system works. Can you stop my neighbour's dog barking? Not by hypnosis, but I can change the way you react to the barking so that it ceases to become a problem to you. What hypnosis organisation should I look out for? If you are looking for hypnotists as opposed to hypnotherapists or relaxation psychotherapists then try the Academy of Hypnotic Arts.