Putting Yourself into a Self-hypnotic Trance by Patricia Heredia

The Therapy Center

Putting Yourself into a Self-hypnotic Trance

By Patricia Heredia

Most of us can remember one of the first times we rode a bicycle. It was an unsteady but exciting experience. We soon learned we had some control over a new dimension of our own abilities – increased balance and coordination.

Of course, we already had balance and coordination, but this was something special: a delightful application of an enhanced skill. This is what you can expect from learning self-hypnosis.

You already have many of the abilities you may be seeking to improve with the help from my articles – for example, concentration and memory. And you already possess the basis for the changes you seek – immune enhancement, pain control, stress management, habit control, physical changes, parenting skills, or so many other goals. Self-hypnosis is a natural skill; like riding a bicycle, it will help get you where you want to go.

The first thing to do is to get comfortable. Ideally, begin by relaxing in a place you have selected that is peaceful and quiet. You may find yourself with feelings of expectation and anticipation – this is quite natural – just as with the bicycle.

Self-hypnosis is an individual, personal experience; therefore, you need to take an active role in formulating the best technique for yourself. There are so many different and good techniques to choose from, but for this article, I will provide one example of a technique that I use mostly with children. You may want to choose another or create your own combination of techniques.

One of the techniques that I will share with you now is called the eye fixation method. I would like to point out that many of the following explanations can become a script that you can adapt for your own purposes or even to make an audio recording from your smartphone.

Once you are in a relaxed, secure position and have taken several deep, comfortable, satisfying breaths – look in front of you. Find some small object or spot out in front of you and above your line of sight. Some examples for this spot are a mark on the wall, the tip of a plant leaf, a part of a picture, or anything stationary.

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Focus all your conscious attention to the spot or object – gaze at it, examine it in detail. Continue slow, deep, satisfying breathing. Keep your attention on the spot and work all your thoughts toward it. The idea is to eliminate any extraneous thoughts and forget all problems, worries, and anxieties as much as possible. Do not worry if a stray thought or two slips into your mind now and then. That is difficult to prevent without practice, but that is precisely what you are doing – practicing. You will get better at clearing your mind of distracting thoughts.

As other thoughts come into your mind, allow them to pass through you, and return to thoughts about “your spot.” Continue slow, deep, satisfying breathing. Begin telling yourself how relaxed you feel. Focusing on the spot you have chosen will help preempt other thoughts.

Begin giving your suggestions such as: “with each deep relaxing, satisfying breath I take, I feel relaxation spreading down from my shoulders and back, down through my legs and into my toes. The more I relax, the better I feel.” Put these suggestions into your own words if you like. The exact wording is not important. If your goal – relaxation - is clear and your suggestions are positive, your meaning will be understood.

You may feel your eyes watering and blinking. Give yourself suggestions to encourage your eyes to close: “As my eyes focus on the spot I have chosen, I may find that they feel tired. As my eyes water and blink, it is as if the more they blink, the more they are clearing away all worries, concerns, and anxieties. My body is relaxed and at ease, and my eyes and my mind can be just as comfortable, relaxed, and at ease.”

You may spend as long as 10 to 15 minutes with open eyes during the first few practice sessions. Or you may find that in only a few minutes, your eyes become tired and heavy. You decide when you want to close your eyes. No one needs to decide that for you.

Continue with suggestions such as: “I may notice that as my eyes continue to focus on the spot I have chosen, I can decide when I want to close my eyes. Just as I make decisions like when to go to sleep in the evening, I can decide when it is most comfortable for me to close my eyes.”

As best you can, keep a steady flow of mental suggestions of this nature going to yourself. You can say the same things in many ways. Change the words slightly or change the order of the words. Find different ways of conveying the same idea of concentration on the spot, on relaxation, and on your eyes wanting to close.

Repetition of the suggestions and monotony of the focus on one spot will shortly cause your eyes to want to close. If, after 10 to 15 minutes, they still feel wide open, do not worry, you can close them gently.

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Once your eyes are closed, continue giving yourself suggestions that you are relaxed and feeling safe and comfortable. The suggestions you give yourself may be similar to those you used in progressive relaxation. Even though you may feel very relaxed and comfortable, continue giving yourself suggestions to reinforce and generalize the feelings of relaxation throughout your body.

You can do the suggesting through your process imagery, result imagery, or repeating your own words to yourself and focusing on your internal voice.

The guide to personalizing your suggestions that was covered in previous articles will help you develop suggestions for expanding feelings of heaviness, lightness, coolness, warmth, or numbness throughout your entire body. Be aware of any changes you may notice.

At this point, you can begin to repeat your predetermined suggestion, change, goal, feeling, etc. that you want to manifest in your life. You can say the same suggestions in multiple different ways. An example for self-love and vibrant health is: I am one with ALL OF LIFE – I deeply and completely love and accept myself – I see myself and what I do with eyes of love – I am safe – I bring joy to the center of my heart – I express love to all – JoyJoyJoy – I lovingly allow joy to flow through my mind, body and spirit – I breathe freely and fully – I trust the process of life.

The point is this – you can free flow dialogue with yourself or repeat a mantra – the effect is the same.

Closing for now and continuing next month! Also, please join me on the second Monday of every month at 8 PM ET for The Therapy Center live stream show only on Star Nations Live Stream Shows, where you can participate in a live Hypnotherapy session.

Until next time, love and light,

Patti

About Patricia Heredia

Courtesy of Patricia Heredia

Patricia Heredia practices at The Therapy Center, located in Grand Rapids, MI. She has been a therapist since 1995 and offers a range of therapeutic services.

Patti is a nationally certified and registered clinical Hypnotherapist, registered Colon Hydro-therapist, clinical Massage therapist and a trained Upledger Craniosacral therapist.

Patricia is the live stream show host of The Therapy Center on the second Monday each month at 8 pm ET.

To Contact Patricia:

grandrapidstherapycenter.com

patti@grandrapidstherapycenter.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheTherapyCenterWithPatriciaHeredia/