Remember, it's your own body, your own brain.
You're not a victim of the universe, you are the universe.

~ Richard Bandler ~

Hypnosis explained

What is hypnosis ?

The hypnotic state is a state where one is deeply relaxed physically and mentally, without being asleep. It’s a modified state of consciousness. In short, it’s a deep state of relaxation where you have direct access to the subconscious mind.

The reason why hypnosis is so effective is because we work with the subconscious mind. The left brain, which is the analytical and thinking part, takes a rest. And it's thanks to this, that we can access our inner universe. In this state we have access to all our memories of this life and past lives . We are open to receiving answers to our questions. And we are able to see the solutions more clearly. There are no more mental blockages, no more barriers.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) defines hypnosis as follows:

“Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration, and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential”

There are 5 types of brainwave frequencies: Beta, Delta, Theta, Alpha and Gamma.

Beta waves (12 to 33 Hz):
Beta waves are waves that are related to the daily activities where we put all our attention. It is the most commonly found state' in awake humans. Activities as mundane as driving, taking an exam, do an exhibition, participating in a work meeting and presenting a project, speaking, reading, thinking etc., are the moments of its maximum activation. These waves help us to be much more responsive and focused on improving our ability to solve problems.

Delta waves (1 to 3 Hz):
Delta waves are those that have a greater wave range and are related to deep sleep (but without dreams). These type of waves are mainly related to bodily activities that we are not aware of, such as regulating heart rate or digestion. Delta waves promote and protect the immune system, our rest and our ability to learn.

Theta waves (3.5 to 8 Hz):
Theta waves are mainly related to our imaginative abilities, reflection and sleep. These waves promote creativity, emotional connection and even our intuition. This is the zone where a person is in a state of very deep relaxation. This is the state used in hypnosis. It is also the state experienced in meditation.

Alpha waves (8 to 13 Hz):
Alpha waves is where we find calm and relaxation and it's a state favourable to meditation. We can also experience this state when we are on the couch watching TV or in bed, but without falling asleep.

Gamma waves (25 to 100 Hz):
Gamma waves have an extremely fast frequency. Neuroscientists are only beginning to discover more about this type of waves, which were not long ago very mysterious. Moreover, it is very difficult to capture them in electroencephalograms. We’re talking about a type of wave that originates in the thalamus and moves from the back of the brain to the front, and at incredible speed. They are related to tasks of high cognitive processing. These waves are relate to our style of learning, the ability to make new connections but also to our senses and perceptions.

What happens during the first appointment ?

We’ll start by talking about you, and what you want to work on. This part shouldn’t last too long. Once I understand why you came and what your desired result is, we will immediately dive into hypnosis, because this is where the magic takes place.

At first, I will use my voice to guide you into deep hypnosis. Once you're in hypnosis, you will be able to talk to me and describe to me what you see or feel. In this way I can guide and support you, and ask you questions to help you move forward. Remember that the solutions already exist within you, all you need to do is to open up to them.

After the session – which lasts approximately 1 hour – and your return to mindfulness, we will debrief. You then have the opportunity to express how the session was for you. It helps to better understand the path to take for future sessions and also the number of sessions required. We will also discuss if any changes or modifications are needed to be done for the next time.

The number of sessions required varies greatly depending on the nature of the work and the individual. But as a rule of thumb, it does not take more than 3 or 4 sessions, or even less.

Can everyone be hypnotised ?

Hypnosis is a natural condition that has always existed in humans. Everyone has access to it!

You’ve been there without realising it. One of the best-known examples is when you’re driving. Sometimes you’re in autopilot mode, thinking of something completely else than driving. You don’t see the time passing, and you have the impression that the trip lasted 30 seconds whereas it usually takes 30 minutes. So you say: “Oh, I’m already here?”. You’re driving the car perfectly, but your mind has gone elsewhere. This is called “road hypnosis”.

It’s the same when you read a good book and have no idea what’s going on around you. Or when you get lost in a daydream, and you jump when someone calls you.

That said, there are sometimes people who have difficulty in relaxing and letting go. People with a strong mind. In that case, I just have to spend more time to get them into hypnosis.

On the other hand if the person resists, is too afraid or does not want to go into hypnosis, it won't be possible for me to get them into this state. You have to want to go into hypnosis to get there. It’s a state I can’t force on anyone.

I might not wake up, right?

There are indeed a very few rare people who refuse to come out of hypnosis. This is because they feel so good in this state. It is called a "hypnotic coma". However, I have never met such a person yet. Every person begin to come out of this state naturally after a while, and this is where the session should end if not before. But don’t worry. If that ever happens to you, I know exactly what it takes to get you out of there. ;)

Do you have power over me? Can you change my thoughts and beliefs?

No, I have no power over you. I can’t force you to do or say something you don’t want. And if I tried, the hypnotised person would suddenly come out of his state of hypnosis to return to a state of consciousness of vigilance. The hypnotic state is a modified state of consciousness that lies between the conscious and the unconscious, between relaxation and vigilance. You always keep a part of consciousness in this state, so you cannot be manipulated directly.

In the case of stage hypnosis, it's different for several reasons. To start with, there is no therapeutic goal. Next, the people who go on stage agree to play the game, to be manipulated, knowing that they will be asked to do strange things. If the person did not volunteer, it would not work.

Can you hypnotise a child?

Yes. For more information, refer to the page «hypnosis for children».

Can you hypnotise a person with a disability, even if they don’t speak?

Not directly, it has to be done differently. If the person (child or adult) is disabled and does not have the ability to speak, I will hypnotise either a parent or a relative of this person, and it's he or she who will come into contact with the nonverbal person. It's the parent/relative who will then be able to ask questions such as if he/she is happy, if he/she needs anything, etc.

The nonverbal person does not need to be there in person, since this type of communication can be done at any distance. Note that it is always important to ask the person’s agreement before doing this kind of work.

Here is a selection of the most asked questions: