These are a selection of the most common questions we hear at our self hypnosis training workshops.

Just what, exactly, is 'hypnosis'?

This is such a commonly asked question, and one that so many 'experts' have trouble answering, that we've written a comprehensive hypnosis article at our main site.

What is the difference between your type of hypnosis and stage hypnosis?

Several things:

1. The stage hypnotists selects his subjects carefully. With practice, it is easy to spot people who are naturally good hypnotic subjects.
2. Also, the stage hypnotist chooses people who are a little more extrovert than the average, and so more comfortable on stage.
3. There is a lot of 'social pressure'. That is, subjects know what is expected of them, and are unlikely to 'let the side down'.

Some people seem to do amazing things under hypnosis - surely they're faking?

Once you have used hypnosis for a while you realise that some people can easily do things under hypnosis that others can't without 'training'.

What's the difference between 'authoritarian' and 'indirect', or 'Ericksonian' hypnosis?

Let's take a possible scenario. I am hypnotising you and I want you to relax.

Authoritarian style: "You are becoming more and more relaxed."

Indirect style: "People have told me that they relax (embedded command) as they sit in that chair."

Although some people will claim differently, it is obvious that generally, the Indirect approach will be more effective.

One area where influential communication is used constantly is in advertising. If the authoritarian style were better, we would simply be told 'You love our product and want to buy it now'. Instead, advertisers use association and other techniques to indirectly suggest that their product will make our lives better.

Learning indirect language also allows you to integrate influential language into your everyday communication.

'Ericksonian' means from the work of Milton Erickson a remarkable man and revolutionary therapist who changed hypnotherapy and psychotherapy permanently.

Is hypnosis the same as being asleep?

Although 'hypnosis' comes from the Greek 'hypnos', meaning 'to sleep', the states of sleep and hypnosis are quite different.

In fact, brain activity in hypnosis has been shown to be more similar to the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state, or dreaming.

Howver, during hypnosis, most people tend to be aware of their surroundings at the same time as experiencing a different 'inner reality'.

Are all self hypnosis tapes the same?

Read our article - self hypnosis tapes: good, bad or indifferent?