I've been 'doing hypnosis' for about 25 years now and there are a few general principles that I would like to share with you that I think that too many programs, courses and eBooks fail to mention.

You see, there are many ways in which you can learn to hypnotize someone yet a lot of people fall into the trap (trainers included) of promoting the hypnotic techniques ... rather than what it is that the various techniques are actually doing.

And since hypnosis is still not a completely understood phenomenon, you end up with endless debates over this technique being better than that technique. Worse still, if you end up in a situation where you've been taught a particular 'method' of how to hypnotise and that doesn't work with the person you are working with - what then? The lack of understanding of what you are fundamentally trying to do means you don't have the flexibility to deal with people who don't respond the way you expect (or have been taught).

Before reading further, answer the question below.

At least that's the impression that is ingrained in just about every hypnosis course out there. I mean, you got to "get sleepy" don't you? Everyone starts out learning body relaxation, guided imagery, counting backwards ... you've probably even seen this on TV.

So let me ask you this; what do you do with someone who is a polarity responder if relaxation is the only real core method you've been taught (i.e. hypnosis = a relaxed, sleepy state)? I think you may be in some trouble ... the more you 'try to make them relax' the more tense they get. I've heard over and over the statement from potential clients who come in and say ... "I just can't relax - and I got really irritated with my last hypnotist ... I just can't be hypnotized"

What if I were to tell you that hypnosis has nothing to do with relaxation? Gee, where does that leave us?

Capturing the attention Is the first golden rule of learning how to hypnotise - the conscious attention that is!

Let's look at this for a minute. Think about all those hypnosis techniques you may have come across, whether it be Hollywood, TV, a book you've read, even the hypnosis session you underwent for 'stop smoking' ... what have they got in common? The 'swinging watch', the 'guided visualization', the 'progressive relaxation', the sneaky 'rapid hypnosis' technique you may have come across on YouTube or an eBook ... stop and think about it ... what is the common thread?

They all attract your conscious attention - they grab a-hold of it.

If you learn nothing else ever about hypnosis - then I believe you are still way ahead of the game. Taking this core principle of how to hypnotise to heart will give you the most amazing flexibility as a hypnotist. You'll never 'run out' of techniques ... because it isn't about the techniques - it's about the principle. Focus on 'grabbing the attention' of the person you are working with and you've already won the battle.

We'll explore the second golden rule of how to hypnotise in another HubPages document shortly. In the meantime, practice 'grabbing hold of' peoples attention. The better you get at this the quicker you'll be able to help people achieve a hypnotic state - whether they can relax or not!

And for some light relief ... check out the video below!