Stage hypnosis vs. Hypnotherapy

[DJWhiteT]

Hi,

I am new here but really glad I found a place to talk about hypnosis without worrying that someone is just trying to make a buck and sell me something. I have lots of questions and a genuine interest so I am planning to do alot of reading here.

First question:

A couple years ago I saw my wife hypnotized in a Las Vegas "adult" hypnosis show and discovered that not only did she become hypnotized very easily, but also appeared to go into a very deep state of hypnosis. Afterward she remembered almost nothing about the experience. Before this , I was a total skeptic and always thought these types of showes were staged. Since then, I have done alot of reading about hypnosis and have seen alot of products for sale claiming to teach the techniques but can not quite grasp how these stage hypnotists are able to put someone that they just met into such a deep trance in a matter of a couple of minutes or less.

I think I have a pretty solid grasp of how hypnotherapy works and understand some of the principles behind it, but this stage stuff seems like something totally different.

Can anyone here help me understand how this is possible?

Thanks in advance.

[rpglover64]

What stage hypnosis is, is that you (the subject) submit to allow the hypnotist to induce you. Usually, you know that s/he won't make do anything crazy because there are people and you can brush off anything stupid you did as either, "I was hypnotized," or, "I faked it." Also, if you agree, you are more of a showy type who is willing to do some stupid or funny things anyway.

[Merlin]

Most (but not all) hypnotherapists use 'progressive relaxation' (a 20-30 minute process) which may or may not result in hypnosis.
Hypnosis is simple, easy and quick (a 1/2 hour relax thing by a stage hypnotist would just be too boring).

[DJWhiteT]

Thanks guys. Done more reading since posting my question. Seems like this is a pretty popular question. I guess I have to admin that I am fascinated by the quick hypnotism but I am also very interested in hypnotherapy as well.

Obviously there are alot of places in a persons life where hypnosis could be very bennificial and I want to start trying to tap into that. I dont have any really major problems that I am trying to overcome but just want my wife and I to be all we can be. When I was younger, I had listened to self hypnosis audio tapes but never acheived anything more than relaxation.

ok, ok. so first things first. I want to discuss the idea of hypnosis with my wife so that we can start trying it on eachother. Maybe start with some easier self help suggestions - like getting to the gym more often. I just want to make sure that I present the idea properly to her and not scare her off.

Can anyone suggest a good solid starting point for a total novice who wants to make a good first impression?

[AnthonyM83]

Out of curiousity, how long ago was this? Do you remember which show (hypnotist) it was? Was hypnotist a man or woman?

[Terry (existing)]

[QUOTE=DJWhite

ok, ok. so first things first. I want to discuss the idea of hypnosis with my wife so that we can start trying it on eachother. Maybe start with some easier self help suggestions - like getting to the gym more often. I just want to make sure that I present the idea properly to her and not scare her off.

Can anyone suggest a good solid starting point for a total novice who wants to make a good first impression?[/QUOTE]
Whether your interest is stage hypnosis, or theraputic the starting point that is best will always be face to face instruction. Any reading prior to such instruction will speed up the understanding, but reading alone will never be good enough if you wish to be the best you can be, and as quickly as possible.
When working with your wife, whom I assume you love, you would wish to do no harm at least, and be of benifit at best. This being so, I accept no other path for you than I have advised. With Stage hypnosis, you would I imagine be unwilling to go public before you were sure you were ready, am I right? Then obviously, you will not wish to manipulate the mind of your wife before being expert enough to deal with any arising problems via the art of suggestion. This comes from proper training only. The question you ask has been asked many times in many ways, and always from the idea that it can't be very hard to learn, so what is the cheap way to do it. This attitude brings us far too many failures who come to this board complaining that hypnosis doesn't work, when in fact they employed one who had no idea of how to use it.......Even if I were in practise now, which I am not, and even if you lived close to me, which I doubt, I would have no monetary interest in lying to you, while adverts that suggest the cheap way of learning via software, the internet, or a book on how to, all have gain in mind, so who do you believe?

[Merlin]

> I guess I have to admin that I am fascinated by the quick hypnotism but I am also very interested in hypnotherapy as well.

There is no reason not to use quick methods in a 'therapy' setting.
I teach it as the preferred method to my students.
If someone is paying me $100/hr. why should I spend half that time telling them "relax" "relax" or some such.

Dave Elman (a famous hypnosis teacher) used to require his students be able to get their patients into 'somnambulism' in one minute or less. Then the Dr. had more time for therapy.

As for hypnosis with your wife, hypnosis with a spouse is often much more difficult than with a stranger.

Probably the easiest way is to share some 'relaxation' recordings together.
No suggestions, just the long, boring relaxation induction. It does feel good to relax. Make the recording yourself. Then she can get used to you doing the "hypnosis".

Sit in recliners or lay on the bed together. It's more comforting and reassuring when listened to together.

When it comes time to do suggestions, record the session on tape so that she can here everything said. It'll reassure the subconscious mind.

Many wives have a deep fear of being controlled in an undesirable way. I'm not suggesting you would do this or that she would think this. But she's probably heard some frightning stories of 'hypnosis' as mind-control (thank you Hollywood, TV, and now the Internet). Her subconscious might fear a suggestion of some bizzarre (to her subconscious) sexual act. Tape recording the session comforts the irrational fears of the subconscious.

[DJWhiteT]

Thank you all for your replies. Excellent ideas.

Anthony, the hypnotist was a man, probably in his 50's and he had a younger assistant (also a man) looked to be in his 20's.