How Does A Stage Hypnotist Make all the Volunteers Go to sleep? Vol. 519, June 24, 2021
This was a question from a person on Quora which deserved to be answered to better understand the state of hypnosis as different from that of ‘sleep.’
The idea that hypnosis is sleep because of the Greek word ‘hypnos’ which means sleep which comes from James Braid who used the term ‘neuro-hypnotism meaning “sleep of the nerves.
Technically hypnosis is not a state of being in ‘sleep ‘because one is not in the delta level of brain wave where sleep occurs while one is in the state of hypnosis.
What is known is the hypnotic state occurs during the alpha and theta brain waves which are the same brain waves that are accessed while one is in meditation. In fact, my first hypnosis teacher, Julie Griffin taught that hypnosis was like meditation with a purpose because there is always something that the hypnotist is guiding the hypnotized individual to do.
During a stage show, the hypnotist is using means to put the volunteers into a very relaxed state – generally overcoming their conscious minds ability to function in the normal fashion putting them all into a very relaxed state that looks like ‘sleep’ which is why the state was given the term hypnosis. What is truly happening is that the volunteers are taken out of the executive function of their pre-frontal cortex (their conscious mind) and placed into their UNconscious mind which would be their amygdala where all the emotions live without the capacity to reason, rationalize or judge which is why hypnotism is a great way to solve many of the health issues most especially those of the emotions and thoughts) in clinical practice such as my own.
There are many articles that explain how hypnotism works in clinical practice right on this website.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.