I am a personal development coach that helps people make significant changes in their lives in 30 days or less using hypnosis, NLP and the martial arts breathing techniques of Qigong. When I tell people what I do I am often asked, “Well what kind of changes do people make and how does that hypnosis stuff work?”

Hypnosis is one of the most widely used and effective catalysts for positive changes that a person can use. For example, you can use hypnosis for weight loss, for quitting smoking, for erasing bad habits like fingernail biting or drinking too much alcohol, for emotional healing as a result of loss from a death or divorce, becoming more confident in meeting more of the type of people you are attracted to or on the job, and almost any other inner change you can imagine.

When I explain this people usually ask me two questions, they are “How do you start?’ and “How much does it cost? If they live far from San Diego I am often asked, “How do I find a good hypnotist?” and “How about using self-hypnosis recordings, are they effective?”

First I want to tell you that there are no simple answers that cover the above questions in depth. But I also want you to know that one thing is for sure, hypnosis is powerful and sooner or later almost everyone who is looking to make significant changes in their lives explores using it to some degree or another.

Let’s dispel some old myths because hypnosis is no great mystery. In fact, many social scientists and psychologists agree that hypnosis is a normal and natural part of every day life. For instance, have you ever been so involved in reading a book or watching a movie or TV show that when someone came into the room and asked you a question you didn’t hear them? Of course you have. That’s a form of hypnosis. Advertisers understand that TV and radio can be very mesmerizing and use a form of hypnosis when they sell you things on them. For example, suppose you watch an ad on the TV for a new magic mop that is available at your local big box store. You may or may not jump up off the couch and go buy that magic mop but the message has been sent out a lot like a hypnotist sends it out.

The question is never about how powerful or clear the hypnotic message is, but more about how open or closed you are to receiving it. The truth is that all hypnosis is actually self hypnosis. A good hypnotist is really a guide that helps you relax and get the most out of the positive suggestions you want to receive during your hypnotic session. Notice I said positive suggestions you want to receive. You see, all hypnotists know that hypnosis cannot make you do anything you don’t already want to do. So in the case of the magic mop advertisement, you may already have one, or you may have no interest in purchasing one, or you may even physiologically rebel against the big box store commercials and become even less likely to buy the magic mop after hearing the ad. All of these outcomes are possible, and all of them involve some degree of hypnosis.

However, suppose the commercial entices you to run out and buy the magic mop after hearing the ad. This is what may be termed “organic hypnosis” or hypnosis that can actually happen naturally in the world at large. In the case of the commercial it is a free-form style of what goes on in a formalized hypnosis session that involves trance states, inductions, deep relaxation and the like.

Hypnosis happens all the time. It is a naturally occurring experience. So what is hypnosis really and how can it offer a positive effect?

Effective hypnosis is simply the result of a positive suggestion working its way in-between doubt or fear. It is a method that offers you new alternatives to the way you are presently thinking about your situation. Through the relaxation process it opens you up to allowing a new suggestion or a new truth to take help in your subconscious mind. Hypnosis is the acceptance of a new, more powerful perspective, a perspective that can move you in the direction of your goals and dreams. That is all. It’s not Harry Potterish or magical. It’s no huge mystery. No strange trance-like state needs to occur, although it often can and does.

Hypnosis is normal part of everyday life and you can benefit from it. If you live near or around San Diego call me at (800) 989-6570. If I think you are a good match for what I do then we can schedule a session to help you on your journey. If I don’t think we are a match I know many local hypnotists and will gladly lead you toward one that might be more suitable for your particular issue or personality. If you don’t live here you can start by looking for practitioners in local spiritual directories. You might try checking out massage schools in your area. If you do not find any leads there, I would suggest turning to the Internet. Many excellent hypnotists are now offering telephone sessions or if they are like me they have sessions on Skypes.

Another alternative is to practice self-hypnosis. Although there are many great books on self hypnosis I’ll give you some basics here. Relax and quiet your mind. You can do this by using progressive relaxation techniques, relaxing one part of your body at a time. Once your body is relaxed, relax your mind. Learn to sense the spaces between your thoughts. This is where your own hypnotic suggestion must travel through. Pick a positive suggestion that is simple and feels right for you. “I am now rich” is too broad and may be too difficult at first. But the suggestion, “I am increasing my income daily” is more specific and may make more sense and meet with less resistance. Repeat your suggestion quietly to yourself, over and over. Make the suggestion in the present tense, not the past or future. You cannot do it any other time.

If you would like more information on self hypnosis you can receive it as a bonus for signing up for my “Boost Your Attitude” course which can be found on my website.

Five minutes in the morning and five at night of self hypnosis can sometimes bring amazing results. Try it, you’ll like it. It can make significant changes in your life.

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