We often use the iceberg metaphor to describe the conscious and subconscious mind. We’re only consciously aware of a small fraction of what is stored in the mental body or consciousness. At the same time, most memories, experiences, wisdom, and skills are hidden under the surface.

Trance is an altered state of consciousness when we are not fully in the present moment, in mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Since one or more of these occur most of the time, the typical person is continuously in and out of trance states. If you pass by your exit on the freeway because you're distracted, depressed about an event from the past, or worried about one that may (or may not) occur in the future, you are in a trance.

Brainwave frequencies associated with states of mind:

Beta:  13-40 Hz – Normal wakefulness, analysis, thinking, reasoning. It is also associated with worry, stress, anger, anxiety, moodiness, habits, depression, and fear.

Alpha: 7-13 Hz – Peace, calm, light meditation, focus, relaxation, serotonin, endorphins, and serenity.

Theta: 4-7 Hz – Deeper meditation, creativity, intuition, insight, creative visualization, and inspiration.

Delta: 0-4 Hz – Deepest meditation, superconscious, healing, longevity, deep sleep, and an advanced awareness.

The brain accesses the Alpha and Theta states during hypnotherapy. Still, we experience the trance state daily, whether by choice or default. It allows us to respond automatically to stimuli and to take care of routine activities without constant attention and decision-making.

When you act out of habit, you do this from a particular trance state; it's an unconscious action. Many aspects of our personalities are really bundles of trance states that have become our identity. Some are beneficial, and some are not. Too many people fail to take the time to sort them out and continue to do what they have always done just because that is what they do.

The intentional use of hypnosis techniques allows us to shape our lives, responses, and perceptions, creating the health and happiness we desire. Those brave enough to face themselves and take steps to make significant improvements are among those who will seek out hypnotherapy because it's one of the most rapid and effective ways to explore, discover, correct, and enhance our personalities, lifestyles, health, and well-being.

Many of our personality traits come from past life experiences, including phobias, preferences, physical characteristics, health issues, etc. Helping people examine these traits through the perspectives of hypnotherapy and past life regression will be endlessly fascinating for you and gratifying for the client.

Hypnosis is a profound state of relaxation, focused mind, and heightened sensory awareness achieved when applied techniques alter the subject's brain waves to the alpha level or below.

You'll hear rumors that only some people can be hypnotized and have clients who call and say they think they can't be hypnotized. Everyone experiences the trance state so that everyone can be hypnotized. When there's a difficulty, it is due to the client's resistance or the practitioner's lack of experience.

We will soon learn to do inductions so you can take your clients into extraordinary trance states. But first, this.

Recognition of the Trance State

Various clues indicate that a client is in a trance:

• Attentiveness—are they focused or disturbed by minor distractions?
• Glazed eyes—you are familiar with that blank stare when someone has tuned you out.
• Eye flutters—you may notice faint or pronounced fluttering of the eyelids.
• Bodily changes—in rhythm and depth of breathing, the color of skin, muscle tone
• Relaxation—less fidgeting, calmer energy.
• Slow reorientation—grogginess like awakening from sleep when emerging from a trance.
• Imaginative—creating and finding unexpected answers; less analyzing and reasoning.

Clients may also comment on their state concerning body sensations, enhanced or selective awareness, feelings of body weight, time distortion, or being surprised by their discoveries or emotional responses.