Upon leaving my office I meandered over to several quaint shops across the street from the center. Over the next hour I had met a few people but held amazing conversations with two people in particular. One man whom I met owned a shop filled with products from Tibet and Nepal. Tibet in particular is on my bucket list, a place I resonate with in a strangely familiar way. I listened to this man who's only been in the country for 4 years. He told me stories, shared historical information and I listened without distraction. My next stop, after this fantastic visit, would bring me to a small shop filled with art. I love art work (paintings in particular) and as I stood looking at one mesmerizing piece of work, a beautiful young woman echoed 'hello'.

We began conversing about several art pieces in that shop and slowly the conversation lead to the topic of hypnosis. I opened the discussion simply by stating what it is I do (to help others). She wanted to know more. In particular, she asked "what exactly is hypnosis"? As I began to give her the short of the long, I first began by saying "you won't be lead into chirping like a bird". With a sigh of relief, she seemed great-full for that peace of unorthodox opening to a more informative discussion. Many people who don't understand what hypnosis is and how it can help people always seem to remember the stage acts and how stage hypnosis leads people to do interesting things. What's more, many more are skeptical of this effective healing modality because of the hollywood-ization of it.

Myths and Truths About Hypnosis

1. Hypnosis puts people to sleep and they are not aware of what goes on in a session- False!

Hypnosis is a state of physical relaxation which allows for a heightened mental state. It's an altered state, relaxed state, allowing for all things subconscious to come to the surface. We are in altered state all the time! Have you ever driven in a car (driver or passenger) and thought to yourself "I can't remember the last 10 minutes of this drive!". When we are submerged in a movie, enjoying the film completely, everything else in the room falls to the wayside. You are in an altered state! When you are being creative, and time seems to fly by; you notice because you've checked the time and thought how did 4 hours go by this fast? Or, you're reading a great book and it has you 'submerged' in it for a good long time. You are in an altered state!

2. In a hypnosis session, I will loose all control and it's a scary thing to not know what I will say or do! I'm scared I won't be in control. False!

You are in complete control! You are coherent and able to move at anytime. You are not held down or fastened! You are in a relaxed mode and hear/comprehend everything that's going on in the room. You are simply in a total relaxation state, not in deep trance! There is no such thing.

3. I won't remember everything in a hypnosis session. False!

You will remember everything because you are awake! The worst that can happen is you are so relaxed that you fall asleep. In which case, I have left the room to allow that person to get some sleep for one hour! BUT, no, you are awake and understand/comprehend/in control the whole time.

4. I will take on new suggestions that can harm me. FALSE!

Our total being is geared toward survival. Your mind/head has a certain script that it follows to ensure your safety. If there is information that opposes what is true for you, it will reject it. In other words, your in control and if you don't like what is said you can open your eyes and say so! Hypnosis is about revelations not about controlling the mind and putting things into the mind that doesn't belong there!

5. Not everyone can be hypnotized. False!

Everyone can be hypnotized. Some are not willing to relax enough to enjoy the process - that's a different story. I have literally told someone to get a relaxing massage before they came to see me! ;) This, only one time, because this person was so hyper, so filled with energy, so tense that it was necessary. Usually, everyone can be brought down into a relaxation state.

6. I won't be able to wake up! False!

The state you're in is like that of almost falling asleep. Total relaxation, but you still are consciously present in the room. You can snap out of this state at anytime.

7. Hypnosis is the work of the devil and it's anti-religious. False.

Believe it or not people have 'stayed away' from hypnosis because they feel it's the work of the devil. No, hypnosis is something that can help people toward wellness and allows them to prosper in all areas of life. It is not about mind control or the like.

8. Hypnosis can harm me. False

No, again, you are in full control and with hypnosis. It's not harmful and there has been no case reported of anyone who has been harmed with hypnosis.

9. What if I can't be de-hypnotized? False.

No such thing.

10. Hypnosis will change my personality. False.

No, hypnosis sessions works on extracting information that is deep seated in the subconscious. That is, hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention to that which is not obvious when someone is not in a relaxed, open state. It's an exploration from within.