Hypnosis is a very natural state of being that we all experience many times a day already…to regenerate and renew, and we are simply helping the process along during hypnosis sessions, just like programming a computer to produce a document, project or program that will produce positive results!

Many people think hypnosis is like the stage hypnosis shows they’ve seen where people seem to be unable to control themselves, act goofy and provide entertainment for the audience. In reality it is a state of focused concentration where the body and mind relax together. Hypnosis is very simply: a natural state of mind in which the body and mind are extremely relaxed and yet the mind is also highly aware and focused. As you will read below, we are all in states of hypnosis many times a day automatically, so hypnosis is a very normal state of being that along with its ability to provide emotional and physical healing, has been widely and successfully used within the medical community for pain relief and hypno-anesthesia.

-Scott Sandland, Clinical and Medical Hypnotherapist

All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis!

You are always in control of your mind and your body while in hypnosis. You choose to enter hypnosis, stay in hypnosis, accept the suggestions, and emerge from hypnosis at all times.

What does hypnosis feel like?

Since hypnosis is a means of moving into a perfectly natural state of mind that all people actually experience several times in a day, it feels very “normal”. Have you ever had the experience of driving along the highway and suddenly realizing that you passed your exit several miles back? You were in hypnosis! Have you ever been so caught up in a book or movie or video game that you don’t even realize that someone has been speaking to you for the past several minutes? THAT is hypnosis. So you see, when a hypnotist or a hypnosis audio track guides you into hypnosis, they are not asking you to experience anything strange or that you haven’t experienced before.

Daydreaming, falling asleep and waking up, “zoning out” – these are all states of hypnosis and everyone experiences these differently. In guided hypnosis sessions, we all experience hypnosis differently as well. Some people feel very light and “floaty”, some people feel very heavy, and some people are even hyper-aware of everything around them when they listen! Some people don’t “feel” or “experience” anything at all that is out of the ordinary for them while they are in hypnosis. You simply cannot gage your state of hypnosis by a feeling, or an experience.

But I don’t think I can be hypnotized!

According to Roberta De Silva, CHT, any person of normal intelligence can be hypnotized. All that is necessary is imagination and a willingness to cooperate. Occasionally, a person may need several attempts before actually entering into hypnosis. What causes this? Generally, it’s holding onto a little bit of fear – fear of loss of control. This is actually a misunderstanding as the proper use of hypnosis actually gives you greater control over all aspects of your life. The best subject is a person who has a good reason for hypnosis and a strong motivation to accomplish a particular need or desire. The ability to be hypnotized is dependent upon the ability to relax and simply listen. For example, if you were going to learn to play the piano, your teacher would point to a particular key and say, “This is middle C.” To you, that is a suggestion. You either accept or reject the fact that the note in question is middle C. If you accept, you will undoubtedly go on and learn to play the piano. If you reject the suggestion, you may eventually learn to play, but it will be a long, hard and confusing process. If you approach hypnosis with confidence, rather than fear, you will achieve your desired goals.

Will I do something against my will?

When you are hypnotized, you are aware of all suggestions given to you and you will not do anything against your moral or ethical principles. (despite what you may have seen in stage hypnosis shows)

Will I remember everything that happens in hypnosis?

Yes, you will remember everything that happens in hypnosis if that is your desire. Occasionally a person might choose to selectively forget certain facts for a time and then bring them up later when they are more ready.

Could I get stuck in hypnosis?

There is no danger of a person failing to come out of the hypnotic state. In fact it would be impossible to remain hypnotized. Some people choose to stay in trance a little longer because it feels so good and it’s the most relaxed they’ve been in their lives!

WHY hypnosis?

Because in hypnosis you access your subconscious, the suggestible more powerful part of your mind where real, lasting change takes place.

Want to try hypnosis out for yourself?

Listen to our Free Hypnobabies “Instantly Calm” Hypnosis Session to experience a relaxing hypnosis session right now!

Eyes-Open Hypnosis?!

Using eyes-open childbirth hypnosis Hypno-Moms are easily able to remain in hypnosis and comfortable, walk, talk, move around and interact with family members and caregivers! “Eyes-open childbirth hypnosis” is one of the excellent techniques that sets Hypnobabies apart from other natural childbirth programs, and it helps our Hypno-Moms to truly enjoy childbirth. It originally comes from master hypnotist Gerald Kein’s exploration of exactly what women wanted in childbirth. He sat down with a group of expectant mothers, and they gave him their invaluable feedback…

• “I don’t want to be relegated to a hospital bed, only lying down to maintain my relaxation and focus!”
• “When I’m giving birth, I don’t want drugs, and I want to be physically comfortable doing what comes naturally!”
• “I want to be able to move around freely, change positions, eat, drink, communicate, shower, squat and as I do, I want to be completely relaxed, calm, confident and completely comfortable!”

Gerald Kein set about to create exactly what they asked him to – a way for women to use hypnotic childbirth while being supremely mobile, able to easily move into upright positions that aided in the descent and position of the baby during birthing, while still allowing the mother to enjoy childbirth comfortably. These hypnosis suggestions were built right into his “Painless Childbirth” program’s scripts, were reinforced many times through the mother’s practice sessions, and very powerfully created exactly that. He called it, “eyes-open childbirth hypnosis,” and we decided to use it in Hypnobabies, which Gerry is very proud of.

Hypnobabies’ eyes-open self-hypnosis gives Hypno-Mom all the control over her hypnosis during her birthing time, literally with a drop of her finger. Practicing the finger-drop technique to enter eyes-open childbirth hypnosis for instant self-hypnosis and anesthesia allows mothers to be mobile and even open their eyes throughout their birthing time. Hypnobabies mothers are never rendered dependent upon passively listening to deep relaxation and guided imagery, which has been a major concern of many expectant mothers who have done other natural childbirth programs.

Comments from Hypno-Moms:

“I used Eyes-Open-Childbirth Hypnosis almost exclusively during my Birthing Time. I enjoyed relaxing in ‘off’ during a few scripts, but mostly used my ‘Center’ switch. I really like to sing, and found that I felt more comfortable during my pressure waves when I vocalized/moaned… as the pressure in my belly increased with pressure waves, I imagined all the tightness dissipating as I hummed. I sat on a birth ball and rocked, relaxed in the tub, and cuddled with my husband, using my center switch the entire time, able to use all of my hypnosis techniques while remaining active and upright. I had my Birthing Affirmations playing in the background, and my support people using verbal Birth Prompts and “relax” help, and I actively used my “Peace” cue, especially while pushing. I loved my birth – every minute of it!”

~ Kristin, OR

“I loved the Hypnobabies eyes-open childbirth hypnosis technique. I liked being able to be in various positions and still be using my hypnosis techniques. One of my reasons for wanting a natural childbirth was that I wanted to be free to use positioning to help my baby come out smoothly. If I had been only able to use my techniques while lying in bed, I would have lost this benefit. I was able to walk, stand, sit on a birth ball, and sit in the car on the way to the hospital, all without coming out of hypnosis and while remaining focused and comfortable.”

~ Brittany C.

“During my birthing time, I spent the majority of the time walking, talking, laughing and moving about, all while in deep hypnosis. I was able to do this because of my center switch/eyes-open childbirthhypnosis which I created in Hypnobabies sessions. I was still comfortable, even while walking the halls of the hospital and having my pressure waves. The nurses didn’t know quite what to think as I was laughing and chatting away during my birth.

As the pressure waves intensified I did turn off during the pressure waves, but would again be in center and talking between. You can see this in my birth video on You Tube!”

~ Marilyn M.