Weight Loss

I met someone last week end who, when I asked if she had had hypnosis, said,"Yes."  Later I found her sister had quit smoking ten years ago with hypnosis.  Her husband had quit for two years and she herself had seen a hypnotist for weight loss.  I didn't ask how it went, but she was slightly overweight and seemed happy with herself.  I would say at a healthy weight.

I thought I should re-read my old weight loss script. After all weight loss and smoking cessation are the two most common reasons people go to a hypnotist.
When I read over the script I thought I'd better rewrite it.  Some of the things in there just weren't what I believe to be true or important.  If you're going to tell someone something while they are in hypnosis, it needs to be given sincerely.  


The other thing I want to do is tailor each script for the person I am working with.  I wouldn't want to say something like, "Mary, you're doing just great," and it turns out your name is Linda.   Just a bit of fun there, eh?  But you get the point.


I'm redoing that script just in case someone calls wanting to lose some weight after the Holidays.

I guess I'm looking forward to next year as I write this.  Many of us see the new year as a time to self assess.  Perhaps make a change.  Here's to 2012!
I think it will be a year of getting rid of some junk, expanding my hypnosis endeavor and simplifying my life. 

The 20 second Vacation

I haven't posted in a while but am still having Hypnotic thoughts.  Something will develop soon and I will act on it.  I'm just not pushing it right now.  My doctors have cleared me and I've changed my medication so I have more energy.  I have also started walking on the treadmill almost daily.  That has to be good, right?

Anyway I thought I might offer a 20 Second Vacation to individuals.  Especially now with all of the preparations and gifts to deal with.  It would go like this: (you may follow along but it would be better in person).

Me: How would you like to take a twenty second "vacation"?

You: What?

Me: I'm a certified hypnotist, for God's sake, and I am offering a very short period of relaxation, like a short vacation.  You will feel rested and relaxed and when done, very invigorated.  Would you like to try?

You: Uh, Okay.

Me: Good, thanks. You'll enjoy it.  Hold onto my left hand with one or both of your hands, and allow me to touch your forehead with my right hand, that's good.
Now take a nice long breath and as you let out that breath, allow your eyes to close and feel yourself beginning to relax already.
I'll count from 1 to 5 as we go through the relaxation process.  When we reach the number five you will be pleasantly calm and comfortable.  ONE...allow your head to lean forward against my hand and let all the muscles in your neck and shoulders to release any tension they may be holding.  Very Good. TWO..If you feel any tension in your face, allow all those muscles to relax...your face becomes expressionless and from your neck up there is no nerve or muscular activity. You're doing great. THREE.. Any cares or temporary worries you may have been having, fly away like gentle birds.  They fly off as though it's time for them to go south for the winter.  FOUR.. you feel warm, wonderfully relaxed and safe.  Your are a (very worthwhile)* person and you are doing great.  Take another deep breath and as you exhale  this breath allow your relaxation to double...FIVE. Let yourself drift...drifting down more and more relaxed..safe.. calm..unwound.(allow a short period  of "drifting")


In a few seconds I'll count from 3 to 1 and when I say "ONE" you will be back to your regular state of mind.  THREE..you feel a stirring of energy building within...TWO behind your eyelids you feel your eyes clearing as if being rinsed by clear cool water(possibly Rocky Mountain Spring Water).  And on the next count you will open your eyes and feel refreshed, happy and energized...ONE!  Open your eyes and tell me, How do you feel?

You: I feel good.  Thank You?  Was  that hypnosis?

Me: Yes,and you were great at it.


Merry Christmas, all.

*In there just say some nice, positive things.  Use your best judgement.  

Penn State Forgiveness

I mentioned in a tweet lately that ultimately forgiveness must prevail at Penn State.  That may take years and may never happen for some of the victims and family members of the victims.  

The kind of forgiveness that you can achieve is the kind where you aren't condoning the act but are understanding of why the perpetrator has acted in this way.  The emotion is taken out of the situation and you can "forgive" the person and move on with your life.  It is a difficult thing to do, but a tremendous relief when you do it.  The victims must also learn to forgive themselves.  Rape victims often feel guilt.  

I'm sure there will be psychological counseling for the victims and for Mr. Sandusky.  The process is slow.  I would like to see some of the victims get help from Hypnotists.  It would be a great comparison.  I believe the result would be: average length of treatment with hypnosis...less than 1 year, average with psychologist/psychiatrist...2, 3,...? years.

Let's just hope everyone gets what they need to be healed.  

I'm trying to remember a "truth" that was displayed at the hypnosis office.  "Forgiveness is the eraser of fear and ...?"  I'll look up the last word and edit this then.  It's too early in the morning to do it now.

Guilt..."Forgiveness is the eraser of fear and guilt".

Interesting cases on UNSOLVED MYSTERIES

I enjoy watching the TV program Unsolved Mysteries.  Many of them involve super natural or paranormal cases.  Just odd stuff that can keep the audience believing in talking to the dead or whatever.

Tonight they had a story about a woman who had memories about the bombing in Pearl Harbor.  She was born years after the attack.  She had gone to a hypnotist for weight loss and while in trance she remembered many details of what happened.  The hypnotist regressed her and she also recounted details of the young man's childhood and life in Omaha, Nebraska.  They did some checking on names and dates and everything checked out.  They spoke to another person (I didn't catch if she was a hypnotist or psychiatrist or what) and she said the hypnotist had led the hypnotee into saying certain things.  She also said that the woman with the memories had probably read a book on the bombing.  They took it a step further.  They gave lie detector tests to the hypnotist and hypnotee (I'm getting sick of that term already).

They passed and the polygraph operator declared there was no hoax.  Hmmm?  I've heard of other cases of past life regression but I find it hard to believe.  I remain with an open mind to the possibility.

The next story was of the healing power of dogs.  The first dog seemed to detect breast cancer in her master.  The second dog came up to a woman who was suffering great anxiety while with people and having speech problems. When the dog got on her lap she felt calmer and was able to speak much better. Her doctor actually prescribed that she get a dog.  This could also be accomplished with hypnosis.  Being calm gives you control. No fear, no worry and no guilt.  Those are the three most destructive emotions. Anyway, the dog worked out well for her.   Thanks for reading.

Grey Room

I was thinking about an exercise used in hypnosis called the Grey Room Technique.  When you have finished using the other hypnotic techniques such as regression to cause, suggestion or forgiveness, it is interesting and nice to finish up with this one.
  You (the hypnotist) guide your hypnotee into a small dome-shaped room.  The curved walls are all grey and on them are some "items" that appear to be paper.  Some red and others white.  The red represent negative thoughts, beliefs etc.  The white are positive things in your life; love, sharing etc.  The idea is to take down all the red pieces, crumple them up and put them down in a drain hole that appears in the center of the floor.  You give the person as much time as they need to get rid of all the red.  When that is accomplished you have them expand all the white to cover the entire interior of the room.  The room represents your subconscious mind. It is very interesting to find out later what the person found in the grey room.  It may be Furbys, auto parts or mannequins for example. 

Just thought you might find this interesting.  If you see a hypnotist, tell him/her that you'd like to go to your grey room.  If they don't know what you're talking about they probably haven't been trained at Omni.

Ultraheight

I studied under Jerry Kein at his Deland Florida based Omni Hypnosis Training Center.  Jerry learned from the famous hypnotist Dave Elman.  It doesn't get any better than that.  Jerry is possibly the best there is right now. 

During our training he told us how he developed a new method of hypnotherapy called Ultraheight.  The story goes that years ago a well known hypnotist accidentally put his assistant into such a deep hypnotic trance that he thought she was dead.
He couldn't get her to come out of trance and could detect no pulse.  Thinking his career was over, he drove to a bar to get drunk before turning himself in.  The assistant (who was never told where the hypnotist was going) shows up at the bar and is outraged at being left there.  He returns to the place where she had been hypnotised and she goes back into the state.  Please forgive mistakes in the story.  I'm just doing it from memory.  The state is named Ultra Depth.  When the hypnotist dies someone inherits all his works.  He copy writes the name Ultra Depth.   This is the kind of thing that hinders progress in a field of study.  Jerry was angered that he had his hands cuffed regarding teaching or even mentioning this name.  He decided he would invent his own method called Ultraheight.  He came up with a method.  He teaches it to the Omni Students.

Now, he is writing a book on the method.  Just today he said he is trying out a new addition to Ultraheight with a cancer patient at his doctor's office.  Many of his students use Ultraheight in addition to the other methods  (regression, suggestion).  One thing Jerry stressed was as we practice hypnosis, do about 10% experimentation.  That's how the work of hypnosis can grow.

It's Only Talk

Thought I'd use a different color just to liven things up a bit.  The practice of hypnosis is performed by speaking to the Hypnotee.  Hey, I just may have coined a new term.  I like it because other terms all seem to leave something to be desired.  I don't like calling the hypnotee the subject, because that seems clinical and somewhat degrading.  "We will examine the SUBJECT now; Where's my microscope?"  Patient doesn't work well because hypnotists are not doctors and don't treat you.  Client comes off as too mercenary, for my liking anyway.  So, hypnotee may be what I use from now on.  The point of my blog today was how, when you come right down to it, all the hypnotist does is talk.  Of course,  you may tap the hypnotee on the forehead,  lift the arm, touch the shoulder or behind the neck etc.  These are useful but not necessary and are only done with permission.  The great thing is though, there are no drugs, no surgery no maintenance prescriptions.  There are no side effects or recovery period.  It's just too darn good to be true but it can and does work. 

You can come in to your appointment, be talked to and, of course, respond to questions and in 45 to 60 minutes leave a changed person.  A person looking forward to seeing how the changes will affect their life.  It's a great experience.

  It will probably be somewhat emotional.  After all someone is speaking to you about possibly deep personal issues.  That's up to you but your success may hinge on it.  The hypnotist is a professional, but they must be a caring individual or they are in the wrong profession.  So, a caring individual is speaking to you and about you.  It gets emotional and you cry, the hypnotist may cry too, but there are plenty of tissues for all.
Crying is not required, just pretty common.

Simply talking to someone is not terribly effective in bringing about changes in that person.  Entering a hypnotic state that is deep enough and then talking is the key to success.  That also is voluntary.  No one can hypnotize you if you don't want to be hypnotized.  That's why the first time you go  to the Hypnotist's office you learn about the process.  If you are comfortable with how it works, why it works and how you can benefit from it, you can say you want to proceed.  If not, you can leave.   As I may have said in an earlier blog, I was worried that the hypnotist would find out what was in my mind.  Not possible unless I wanted to tell him.  The Hypnotist might make me do embarrassing things.  Also, not possible unless I wanted to do them.   

Embracing Technology

I was thinking about the new smart phones and Tablets etc.  For an older man I felt I was doing well to use a computer and at least be aware of most of the latest trends.  I have a Facebook account and sell things on Ebay.  I don't text people though and no twitter presence.  My feeling is many people use these things for self-promotion.  Much of it is just to see who's on-line. 

I was thinking though maybe I should promote myself taking advantage of some of the truly wonderful technology that is out there today.  Just imagine, if I could do hypnosis over the phone, I could speak to people all over the U.S. and even beyond.  Through PayPal and similar methods, payment would be simple and direct.  The client would save the travel expense.  There are many other advantages I'm sure.

On the other side of the coin, hypnosis is less effective over the phone.  Maybe this could be made up for by having more sessions.  Also, the one-on-one interaction is lessened(if that's a word). By that I mean the changes that the hypnotist would observe and use to tailor his/her direction of treatment would be less obvious. There are some other things that are less than optimal, but it can be done and I think is worth pursuing. 

The lighter problems of clients could be handled over the phone.  Weight loss, smoking, study improvement, sports improvement etc. would be fine.  Serious weight loss, phobias, anything involving regression, would require a face-to-face meeting.  Phone hypnosis is second best but I'm going to look into it and see if I can make it more workable.  Maybe a surrogate hypnotist could be present and report some observations and carry out some of the actions that the phone hypnotist would do in person.  There are times when you want to tap the client's forehead gently.  Roll the head gently from side to side to help relax the neck muscles. Sometimes holding their hand is very important.  The hypnotist takes the role of your best friend. So, I guess you could think of it as a phone call from your best friend.

I googled it and found many hypnotists are offering hypnosis over the phone.  Some look pretty shoddy and will further the negative reputation of hypnosis.  Others looked okay.  Maybe you'll see me there some day.  Until then my name is here and my number is in the phone book.  It used to be under my wife's name though, so I'll have to check that.  Be good to yourself,  Ken  

EFT

I was reading a post on Facebook by a hypnotist who trained at the same school I went to.  It was regarding EFT and a seminar that she was interested in.  I hadn't heard about EFT so I researched it.  The  letters stand for Emotionally Focused Transformations.  Well that is one of the methods used in hypnosis.  I don't know if it is really anything new.  Some of the posts I read on it go back over ten years.  It does have the advantage of not using the word hypnosis.  When people hear the H word, they freak out.  Thinking someone can read their mind or control them in some way. 

One of the strategies used in hypnosis is to get the client into a nice deep state and then get them to feel the emotion associated with "why they came to see the hypnotist".  It may be fear, hate or any other.  When the emotion is very strong, you regress the client back to when they first experienced that feeling.  Usually this is when they were very young and it often seems quite insignificant.  It's called the Initial Sensitising Event.  When you find that, there are various methods used to change the harmful impression left by this event.  Usually there are further events that built upon the initial event and they also must be dealt with.  When everything is cleared up the problem goes away and you have a transformed individual.

These changes seem miraculous.  Hypnosis allows us to get in touch with the part of our mind that holds among other things, our self image.  It's like the programming of a computer.  If you change the program the change is immediate and permanent.
You can become a non-smoker, non-drinker or (as in my case) a care-free individual.  Talk to you later, Ken   

A new day

I've been writing more blogs on my other site and felt I should put something up here so you'll know I'm still around.  I feel as though I have reached a point of change in my life, as I have just completed my convalescence from my apical aortic conduit surgery performed in September of last year.  I am now free to engage in more stressful activities.  My blood pressure medication has been reduced and I should feel more energetic and optimistic.

I'm looking forward to this year.  I've put the hypnosis endeavor on the back burner for the past several months.  I've done this for many reasons.  One is that I find a lot of fear out there when I bring up the subject.  I need to be able to carry on through that if I will ever succeed at using hypnosis.  I also must overcome my lack of confidence as a person and as a hypnotist.  I will use self hypnosis for this and that will demonstrate the power of the practice. Another difficulty for me is how hypnosis is perceived as a parlor trick or entertainment activity.  There are hurdles out there for me to stride over (if they are low hurdles) to reach a goal that would bring me great satisfaction.  I'm not a mentalist or a spiritualist.  I just want to be an effective hypnotist who can help people with some problem they may have been suffering from needlessly for some time.  

This is a great time to make changes in your life.  Spring is on the way and many good things lie before us.  If we expect them and we work toward them they will be easily achieved.