What comes to mind when you think of hypnosis? Do you imagine yourself sitting in a darkened room with some goateed, dark eyed hypnotist waving a watch in your face while telling you, "You're getting sleepy, sleeepy?" Or, do you think of hypnosis as a form of mind control where you will be unable to control your own thoughts or actions?

In reality, hypnosis is an entirely natural mental process that you experience at least twice a day; once, upon awakening in the morning and again, just before you go to sleep at night. It is at these times when you make the transition from subconscious to conscious (upon awakening) and conscious to subconscious (just prior to falling asleep).

Another misconception people often associate with hypnotism is the feeling that they can't be hypnotized because they think hypnosis only works with the weak-minded. In actuality, having a higher IQ makes you a better subject because of your ability to focus more strongly on helpful suggestions.

Additionally, some people have a great fear of remaining under hypnosis after the session. "What happens if the hypnotist places me in a trance and then is unable to bring me back out again?" This fear is completely unfounded and absolutely cannot occur. There has never been one reported case of someone remaining under hypnosis since its inception. Even if the hypnotist left the room, you would still come back to full consciousness by yourself in just a few moments.

Another fear that some people hold is that they will be completely under the control of the hypnotist and do everything he tells them. Extensive research and testing has proven otherwise. I recall one stage hypnotist mentioning that he often disproves this fear by hypnotizing a female subject, then having her stand, raise her arms and other such normal acts and then he tells her to remove her blouse. At this point, the subject always brings herself out of hypnosis completely on her own. The subject always has the choice of either accepting or rejecting any suggestion given by the hypnotist.

Hypnotism is a completely safe and normal process. There is absolutely no danger of being harmed during or after a hypnotic session. You will always be in control and have the option of accepting or rejecting any or all post-hypnotic suggestions and there is no chance of remaining locked in trance. If you have never experienced the wonderful, relaxed feeling of hypnosis then you have missed out on a truly life changing experience.