Monday, September 15, 2014

Yoga and Hypnosis

While most of my studies in health and wellness revolve around Yoga and Ayurveda, I have always embraced other teachings of great teachers to see how they can better improve the journey to self realization.  Many modern day teachers like Dr. Emoto and his teachings on thought vibration (Dharana), Louise Hay with her concept of Affirmations (Auto Suggestion/Mantra), and many others have inspired me.  On my path of exploring health and wellness I have also found inspiration in the teachings of Erikson and Ormond McGill (Hypnosis), Richard Bandler (NLP), Maxwell Marltz (Psycho-Cybernetics).  I have found the common link to the modern teachings of hypnosis and affirmation can be easily linked to ancient yogic practices of Pratyhara, Dharana and Dhyana, Yoga Nidra, and Mantra.  Hypnosis has similarities with guided meditation.  For those who associate yoga with only the asana practice (physical exercises), please be informed that it is an 8 Limb practice designed to calm the mental fluctuations of the yoga aspirant.

While many people are skeptical about hypnosis, or associate it with "stage hypnosis", the reality is we are bombarded by hypnotic suggestions in all forms of media on a daily basis.  Hypnosis only works if the participant is willing, and it has been proven the more intelligent the subject is, the easier they are to go into trance state.  Hypnosis involves an induction that puts a person in a more relaxed state, which is when the participant is in a heightened state of suggestibility.  The participant is in full control at all times and can then use the suggestions given by the hypnotist to break through patterns of behavior and improve areas of their life. 

After reading some works by Ormond McGill, I was intrigued about hypnosis even further.  Ormond McGill has written accounts of his travels to India where he learned guided meditation, and incredible mind taming exercises taught by Yogis, and Fakirs.  It correlated to my research in the power of the mind over the body, and I have utilized self hypnosis, affirmation, and meditation in my own journey successfully, so I wanted to gain more insight and guidance with a professional.  I have already witnessed incredible yogis in deep states of meditation, how they can perform incredible tasks, and overcome the mental fluctuations with practice.  Like every synchronicity, a friend found Jo-Anne Eadie of Power of Freedom for me.  I had a session with her that was incredibly transformational.

As positive and optimistic as I am, I am a human being who has been through my own situations, and found freedom with yoga, meditation, and forgiveness.  I could honestly say that Hypnosis was like a deep prayer and instant liberation bath for me, in a shorter time frame.  It allows you to tap into your sub conscious mind, the mind chatter that is usually talking more than we are aware.  Jo-Anne invited me to be a guest speaker at her Dowsing event, and it was a beautiful chance to share yogic concepts for calming the mind and inner peace.  The same friend who suggested Jo-Anne to me later decided to have a session with Jo-Anne Eadie and Heather Masters, which like my experience was successful. This inspired me to enroll in her course this summer.  I am grateful to have more tools to help people on their path to mind-body-spirit health and wellness.

We explored hypnosis, learned how to put people into trance state, and became certified hypnotists with the NGH (National Hypnosis Guild).  I am so grateful for these two ladies (Jo-Anne Eadie and Heather Masters) for their compassionate style of teaching.  I shared this experience with three other beautiful ladies, and together we practiced on each other, and observed incredible sessions of willing participants.  We also explored EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) which is basically tapping on meridian lines while saying affirmations.  The last week of August I was unable to bend the toe I had broken, and I was very discouraged, but we did EFT and within minutes I was able to bend it for the first time.

Joanne had invited me to be a guest speaker for the Canadian National Hypnosis Conference (CHC), which takes place on October 24th, 25th and 26th.  Incredible teachers will be presenting and sharing liberating techniques for people who are looking to improve their life.  I will be teaching a class on healing with breath (pranayama), and also daily yoga classes.  Since I am a guest speaker for the conference, during the week I was interviewed on Jo-Anne and Heather's online radio show WOW FACTOR - Wizards of Wellness.

While I would recommend a person to approach life with a daily yoga asana practice and a sattvic diet, often times each individual has their own "conditions" or personal challenges, that interfere with that, which makes hypnosis an incredible option.

One of the programs I learned was the famous Virtual Gastric Band, by Sheila Granger.  This program is a four session program.  One gentleman that came in lost 5 lbs in the first week alone.  The best part is the freedom the person obtains when they establish new and healthier habits.  Aside from this, stress and smoking were two other areas we explored. 

Since completing this course, I have practiced on a number of people only to witness how their subconscious mind has created successful changes in their life with the help of hypnosis. 

For those interested in attending the Canadian Hypnosis Conference or listening to the radio interview I did, please click on the highlighted links above.  Be sure to bring your yoga mat and share in some beautiful morning yoga and meditation.

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