What is hypnosis?
One of the most interesting points about it is the frequency in which we normally find ourselves in a state of hypnosis. On many occasions you do not need to resort to techniques to achieve this state of mind, like in the state of daydreaming or deep concentration when reading or even the mechanical act of driving on a monotonous stretch of road. On all these cases and many more, our mind seems to drift away from the original point of concentration in what may be described as a deep relaxation where we do not seem to notice what is going on around us.
One of the most universally recognised indicators of hypnosis is the state of relaxation. In fact, the state of hypnosis with its associated relaxation has been one of the oldest and most useful non-pharmacological processes known in history, dated back to 2000 B.C.
Many hypnotic sessions begin with relaxation of the body and this is an indicator that the person has achieved a hypnotic state. However, during these sessions, we are always in control showing a selective attention, increased focus and a special state of consciousness. This is accompanied by positive suggestions based entirely on the need of the client or change he or she is looking for. This is the main role of relaxation in hypnotherapy; to allow the individual to reach the calm state of mind connected to the subconscious and by means of tailor-made helpful phrases, assist the person to achieve a desired result. In other words, while still in control, it enhances an individual’s concentration and increases their responsiveness to own ideas in order to make the beneficial changes that an individual may wish to make in their thought patterns, their behaviours or their physiological state.
