North by Northwestern - 10 February 2009
Hypnosis may be the only staged event where sleeping participants are a sign of a successful performance. Originally devised as a therapeutic technique, it has evolved over time into a sideshow that, on the scale of the actual and the fictitious, lies somewhere between gravity and alchemy. It is a practice that is used for entertainment and therapy, like medical marijuana only less controversial. Apparently, the technique can reduce stress and boost self-esteem, results that every Northwestern student could use.
According to the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, hypnotherapy has a 90.6 percent success rate. A similar study conducted by Smoke Free International found that hypnosis had an 87 percent success rate in getting people to quit smoking. Clearly, some legitimacy exists in this business.
Until last week, my only experience with hypnosis had been quasi-magic shows whose purpose was to delude my peers into embarrassing themselves in front of large groups of people. Not that that isn’t relaxing– laughing at each other can curb the heavy competition that arises here, relieving some of that university stress.
That initial comedic impression of hypnotism changed, however, last week when the sisters of Lambda Theta Alpha introduced myself and 20 other people to the world of “hypnotherapy.” They brought Rebecca Lauer, a Certified Hypnotherapist and Master NLP Practioner, to campus to share some of the benefits of hypnotherapy. Lauer’s fancy titles and acronyms mean that she has an understanding of neuro-linguistic programming, which involves using a different language to improve quality of life. According to Lauer’s Web site, she is also a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, which I believe is a subcommittee of the Ministry of Magic.
These enchanters imply that relaxation and self-improvement are inherently linked.
Lauer suggests that hypnosis can foster self-improvement, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing stress and boosting self-esteem. I left her presentation feeling very calm. Similarly, when leaving a DeLuca show, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone not wearing a smile. If success is any sign of legitimacy, both hypnotists have it, or at least have businesses profitable enough to allow the production of numerous CDs and DVDs.
These enchanters imply that relaxation and self-improvement are inherently linked. Staying relaxed will keep you in a better mood and give you a clearer head. We all know smiles are contagious, and a positive attitude can give the campus a little bit of sunshine in the dead of winter. I’m not suggesting we toss our books in the air and break out into spontaneous song and dance, but rather simply remember that the person taking the same test next to you is a colleague, even a potential friend, not a statistical competitor.
During her presentation, Lauer spent half an hour coaxing the room into a relaxed state using soothing imagery, and made me forget about midterms, finding a job for the summer, and social alienation for the session’s duration. She recommended that we practice “self-hypnosis” by taking a few moments each day to sit and forget about the world for a while. So, take time out of your day, drop your backpack, forget about exams, and for your own sake, relax.
Hypnosis is a deeply relaxing experience, enabling the mind to relax fully in a state of hypnotic trance. This state can be used to induce many positive habits and feelings, such as stop smoking, weight loss, relaxation, overcoming depression, improving confidence and for pain relief to mention a few. Hypnotherapists at The Harley Street Hypnotherapy Clinic have a great deal of experience in many hypnotic specialisms including the above. Based in London, the hypnotherapy clinic has a number of professional certified hypnotherapists that are on hand to help you lead a better life using hypnosis. Call the Harley Street Hypnotherapy clinic today and make an appointment at their London clinic.
