Betty was an expert on diets. Over the past seven years she had tried almost every fad diet that hit the market and, all with the same result. A few pounds lost to be sure - but then those same few pounds - and a few more for good measure - soon found their way back. When she attended the WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME at the Hypnosis Centre- she weighted a 91 kg - an all time high. At the end of four sessions, she felt confident and had shed 11 kg.
Ted was 'three pack a day' smoker who had tried shock treatment, acupuncture, gums, patches and even a six week smoking clinic in an effort to kick the habit. His results were usually the same. Four days was the longest he had ever escaped from the clutches of the terrible cigarette. One session of the Hypnosis Centre was all it took for him to lose both, the need and the desire for the cigarettes. He is now a healthy, happy non-smoker.
These people and hundreds like them have been helped over the years by Dr. Christa Hall-Sanford, a Certified Hypnotherapist (non-medical). As a recognised expert in this field, she received the Educator of the Year award (1991) at an international holistic health care conference in the USA. Christa, born in Vienna, Austria, studied in the USA and with her proven method, is successful in private practice in Cape Town since 1990. She has given educational talks on radio and television, schools, companies, groups and organisations. In a continuing effort to educate and inform the public on the often misunderstood subject of hypnosis, the next few paragraphs answer some of the most asked questions about this valuable tool:
Q.: "How would you define hypnosis?"
Because of its very nature, hypnosis does not easily lend itself into a concrete definition. However, it is a state of heightened suggestibility and a communication tool between our intellect and our subconscious mind (feeling mind). It is a natural state of extraordinary quality of relaxation, heightened and selective sensitivity received by the 5 senses.
Q.: "How does if feel to be hypnotised?"
When in a hypnotic trance, people can usually think and perform better than they can in their ordinary state of awareness, probably because of the intensity of their ability to focus. They can more easily recall visual memories, feelings, sounds, and ideas from recent or distant past; quickly and creatively construct mental images (either realistic or fanciful), and remove old attitudes and develop new ones - maintaining the new ones after returning to normal consciousness.
Q.: "How can hypnosis help a person to lose weight or to stop smoking?"
The person has to have a desire to change. We have found that hypnosis with Guided Mental Image to be most helpful in these problem areas. Hypnosis allows the mind to vividly visualise a situation and what the mind perceives, the body tends to achieve. Or to put it another way: before anything can be accomplished physically it must be imagined mentally. Every suggestion which can produce betterment in health, happiness and positive change will be accepted by the subconscious mind and acted upon.
Very important is to also identify the underlying reasons for any unwanted behavior. Any behavior exists because of a (subconsciously) perceived benefit. Although we deserve or need the benefit - with Hypnosis it is relatively simple to change the means (behaviour) to attain those benefits.
Q.: "Do you use diets or shock treatments at the Centre?"
Absolutely not. Our approach is totally positive. Nothing is denied to you. After you leave the office you can eat and smoke all you want. But you'll find that you don't want the fattening food or the cigarette. You'll have no desire for it.
Q.: "What about the person who is short on willpower?"
Actually, we recommend that willpower not to be used or even attempted. Willpower is a highly unreliable device. Using willpower means that you have to deprive yourself of something you want. With hypnosis, willpower is changed into "mind power". We work on changing the desire for clean and healthy lungs or a slim and trim figure or whatever else is important to the individual.
"If willpower, discipline, logic or common sense could do the trick - you would not need to see a Hypnotherapist. You would have solved the issue by yourself."
Q.: "Does Hypnotherapy work on other problems besides smoking and eating disorders?"
Oh yes. Hypnotherapy has benefits or many areas like addictions, anxiety, bereavement, sleeping disorders, pain management, relationship problems, stress management, school or study problems, painless childbirth, depression, panic attacks, guilt feelings, public speaking, sexual issues, unresolved childhood issues, nail-biting, bed wetting, overcoming exam anxiety, developing self confidence, controlling fears and phobias and improving athletic abilities.
Q.: "Pardon me for saying so, but hypnosis seems almost too good to be true?"
Oh, make no mistake about it. Hypnotherapy is no magic wand. We can't do anything for a person that he/she is not willing to do for themselves. Although hypnosis is the shortcut and the most permanent help in relief of curtailing bad habits, to be effective you must go into it with a positive attitude. You must honestly want to change the habit for reasons of benefit in increased joy of life.
Q.: "Is it worthwhile to attend the SELF MASTERY THROUGH AUTO HYPNOSIS course to practice at home?" "
Absolutely, many issues can be improved with Self Hypnosis. Our 1-day course facilitates basic understandings of how the mind works, how to take yourself safely in and out of Hypnosis and most importantly, what to do when you are in the natural powerful state of Hypnosis. EVERBODY will benefit from this workshop.
