Building Rapport

What dose rapport mean? With my entertainers hat on, as a magician it means getting people into the right place, to lead them with the use of suggestion and influence, with the aim of creating entertainment. Leading people to become a part of an unforgettable experience, leading people into a fun and exciting place for a little escapisum and that is what entertainment should be. The reason for gaining rapport with people is to lead them, whether its the purchasing of goods or services or to lead them in the relinquishing of fears and anxieties, toward the gaining of confidence and motivation or indeed for any other purpose.

In my work I start by assuming that I have rapport already and lead. Many of the masters of influence and rapport will also assume they are leading and generally people will follow. Sheer personal power and charisma are enough to put you in the leading position and the more we continue to develop our charisma the more we become likeable and influential and the easier we make it for others to gain rapport with us as we lead. There is more, you are also a performer or a speaker, therapist, salesman, consumer or in any kind of situation with people and they are giving you their attention, right? They are listening and ready to follow, so you can influence and lead them to better health, wealth, happiness or any number of other vibrant destinations...

Buying some petrol the other day I walked happily up to the counter and in a confident manner announced/asked: "good morning Graham, and how are you?" to the man I had never met before, displaying as per Sainsbury's directions for all the world to see his most personal of all possessions, his name. Making full use of a person's name will go a long way to creating rapport, taking the time to say hello and enquire after him opened a dialogue, a happy and upbeat dialogue with Graham.

When working as the aforementioned prestidigitator in delightfully exotic and splendid locations I like to introduce myself to the table or group by firstly explaining to them what I'm doing and then by supplying my name. I then proceed to ask the names of all the people on the table; once they have all been supplied I restate my name and the magic begins. The audience are no longer merely passive observers but are now all active participants in the event because; I have entered into a dialogue, a verbal exchange with everybody on the table. They are already doing what I have asked, admittedly I have only asked them to tell me their names and I volunteered my name to them first, nonetheless they have still complied with my request. Next I can ask them to comply with other small requests, like choose a card and they will follow more readily…

We already have rapport with people; it's just a question of deepening it. When on holiday if you meet a person from the same hometown as you, in general most people will instantly feel a connection, (a connection will even be felt when they are merely from the same country as you, if you are holidaying abroad). The differences between you and them, have been minimised by finding some commonality. There are many ways of minimising those differences, as I'm sure you are aware. The use of techniques like:

Matching and mirroring of body language. Matching of predicates, (The words we use) Matching of voice tonality and Rate of speech. The sneaky use of embedded commands. Association etc…

These techniques all have their place. As a performer I have the lovely position of choosing who I work with and from an audience I pick the person with whom I think I will get the best results, based on my observations of them from the outset. With maybe 10 minuets in each groups delightful company it is I find important to establish rapport very quickly.

A table, just as any audience will have its leaders and followers (it is normally foot stools and chairs that follow tables); there will always be loud people on the table just as there will always be quiet, shy people there. If you attempt to gain your maximum rapport with the shy people on the table the louder and more dominant people, wanting some of the attention for themselves, will split the dynamic of the table or group. If however you angle a higher percentage of your attention to the person or people in the group who seem to be dominating the table already and gain rapport with them the others will follow their example much easier (and the example they are to follow is one of respect and indeed in the giving of clear and open sensory input channels to me.) This luxury affords me the opportunity to be aware of my influence on other people who are en-rapport with me and, for a moment in time, lead and entertain them…

…where will you lead and who will follow? Learning N.L.P and hypnosis I find will inspire you to become more interested in the whole area of persuasion, influence and the development of yourself and your abilities in every area of your life that you are aware of and indeed new areas you will find as you continue with your adventures on our most resplendent planet, Earth.

Parts of this article have been taken from the book The Art of Suggestion and Influence: Practical Applications for Magicians and Mind Readers, by John Vincent. And can be ordered at www.HowToReadMinds.co.uk

John has assisted Paul McKenna P.h.D and Dr Richard Bandler to teach N.L.P and Hypnosis to thousands of people from all over the world. A professional Magician John has carved a niche as one of the UK's top close-up Magicians and Mind Readers, working for Blue Chip companies, celebrities and on TV. Contact info@john-vincent.co.uk

Techniques Of Self Hypnosis

A daily practice of self hypnosis is better than an apple a day. Remember the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well we know that was a bit farfetched but made the point to eat your daily fruit. The true fruits to be had for mental, emotional and physical health and well being all stem from our inner self, the mind. The way we think and feel is what it's all about and self hypnosis is the way to maintaining that inner balance and positive self.

It's becoming more and more talked about and mentioned in media these days. It seems the use of meditation and other personal self improvement practices like hypnosis self help methods have gained in popularity. People are not doing something new, they are just going to what has always been available and THE way for personal awareness and growth.

However, the majority of people using CDs self hypnosis programs for personal improvement usually receive some benefit as just the process of daily relaxation and time alone gives us benefits emotionally and physically. When using CDs self hypnosis is easier as the listener is being guided rather than doing this alone, like meditation, but what if the listener doesn't like the speaker's accent or vocal tone or the background sounds? This is yet a possibility for another disadvantage of using CDs.

It's not only a true benefit to a person's life to use hypnosis recordings for personal change but it's also fun to do. Sometimes I wish I had more time to devote to creating hypnosis audio programs because I do really enjoy the process. I know there is potential to help more people I would otherwise never meet and I'm also able to use the creative part of me that I enjoy. Creating hypnosis recordings can also be fun as they have such a range in topics and subject matter.

Imagine the thousands of people who have used my hypnosis audio programs and tell their friend, "I just found the best self hypnosis CDs" and their friend tells them, "No, I just found the best." So they decide to switch and test each other's "best" and find they didn't like it as much as what they originally used. Both are good but really, what determines the best self hypnosis anything? Perception is what determines what is best for anyone.

Hypnosis is a very powerful yet natural and therefore safe process that has been in play since there was man. We are influenced by suggestion be it intentional or not and hypnosis is 'bypassing the analytical conscious mind to access the subconscious'. That's one definition but it is the basis of all the definitions and what hypnosis is. And you can help self hypnosis help you but only if you use it. Isn't that the problem with all things?

There is a difference between guided hypnosis with a facilitator, such as a certified hypnotist or self hypnosis hypnosis process either alone or with the use of an audio while alone. With the facilitator you are guided and with self hypnosis you guide. However, it is said that all hypnosis is self hypnosis because the individual must allow the process to happen. You see, entering the hypnotic state of mind is simply the same as when we daydream. Now if you were someone who for some odd reason never wanted to daydream, once you felt it happening you could pop yourself right back to a complete alert and aware state.

Self hypnosis has been used for hundreds of years, sometimes even without you knowing that you are hypnotized. Different Self Hypnosis programs can be found at our web site. Please take a moment to visit us.

Panic Attacks - Controlling With Hypnosis

It is normal, natural and common to get panicky from time to time. You may be late for work, think you can hear a burglar downstairs, or be about to sit an exam. These feelings are natural, and pass fairly quickly. They are simply down to our 'flight or fight' responses that our body has been equipped with to prepare for potentially threatening situations. The heart beats quicker and the digestive system closes down in order to allow the body to concentrate on the perceived threat.

A panic attack has similarities with this, but there are notable differences. A panic attack often occurs when there is no obvious physical threat, and the feelings are stronger than 'normal' panic. It is simply like a false alarm - like an annoying smoke detector that goes off at the wrong times. The problem is that our 'alarm system' was designed millions of years ago when we had many more potential dangers to deal with. We have a lot less potential threats to deal with now, but our body does not know this. Today we have lots of different stresses that we are not designed to deal with.

A large number of people have experienced panic attacks at some point in their lives. Some people may get them daily, whereas others may get them every few months or even years. They are fairly common and are not a sign of mental illness.

Some of the symptoms include Heart pounding, beating fast, or missing a beat Chest pains Breathing fast or feeling short of breath Numbness or tingling in the fingers toes or lips Feeling sick Feeling faint Feelings of terror Feelings of unreality, like you are not really there Feeling anxious in situations where you have had a panic attack before

People often think negative thoughts, which are untrue, such as I am having a heart attack I am going to be sick I cannot breath I am going to make an idiot of myself I have to get out of here now

After experiencing a panic attack people often escape the situation and avoid it in the future. This can be detrimental as it may re-enforce the fear. The mind will realise that something 'bad' happened the last time you were in a particular situation, and the longer you leave it before facing the situation again, the more the mind is convinced the same will happen again. This can become a self fulfilling prophecy, and take hold of you in a way similar to a phobia.

I have found that treating sufferers of panic attacks in a similar way to treating phobias seems to be a very successful option. The ultimate aim has to be to empower the client to face their fears. A good old fashioned ego boost hypnosis session is often a useful first port of call. I have also found that systematic desensitisation is very useful. For those not familiar, you work with your client to construct a hierarchy of fears. Usually I have a scale going in tens from 0 to 100. At zero this is where there is no fear (perhaps sitting at home with a cup of tea), and one hundred represents maximum fear (at a supermarket checkout for example). The patient is guided to a medium level of trance and a 'yes' 'no' IMR is installed (left index finger 'yes', right index finger 'no'). You then simply walk the patient through the hierarchy, giving lots of calming and relaxing suggestions, and moving them to the next step when they report that they are feeling calm and relaxed.

However I do not feel that hypnotherapy is enough. The hypnotherapy can help them face their fears, but if they do not physically do this fairly soon after the therapy (within 3 weeks) then they are often back to square one. To give good quality therapy, one must also work out a strategy to help integrate them back into the places and situations that they experienced panic attacks. Otherwise there is a danger they could soon slip backwards.

I usually try to 'dilute' the situation. For example a patient who has panic attacks in the supermarket may wish to initially travel to the supermarket but not go in. The next session they may wish to go inside, but not buy anything. Next they may wish to buy one item. The patient may or may not need your support with this. They may wish to have you go with them, or a friend, or have the option of telephone support. Positive feedback is very useful when they have pushed themselves through a barrier. Congratulate them and point out to them that they are OK - still alive and well! By challenging their fears they can become more in control, and the attacks should become less and less common. As a good hypnotherapist you can offer further hypnosis sessions to help them deal with any further issues that may arise during these non-hypnotic sessions. A post hypnotic suggestion so that when they say the word "calm", they feel calm and relaxed, is always a good idea.

If the patient starts having a panic attack, try and encourage them not to quickly escape the situation. This will reinforce the fear and set them back. Try to persuade them to remain in the place they are having a panic attack until it passes. This is really helpful in breaking the cycle of fear. Reassure them and remind them that they have had panic attacks before and nothing bad is going to happen. It may be useful to teach them breathing exercises for this eventuality, or give them a post hypnotic suggestion for relaxation when they say a particular keyword. If they are adamant that they must leave, then do not force the issue. This 'flooding' could traumatise them and set them back further. More relaxation work may be needed if they opt out, and half a step back when they are ready to again confront their fears.

I have had lots of success in dealing with panic attacks, and believe that it is mostly down to the leg work in confronting their fears. An action plan of some description is needed after the trance work. I think that this is crucial for successful rehabilitation. The patient may or may not be strong enough to do this by himself, but the issue needs addressing. The patient should be made aware that they must quickly face the situations again, and should be offered some support if they feel they need it. Hypnotherapy on it's own is usually not enough.

Jon Rhodes Llb (hons) Dip Hyp.

http://freehypnosistreatment.co.uk

Jon Rhodes is a very successful clinical hypnotherapist in the UK. Visit his site now for free audio samples, articles, video and anything else hypnosis

How To Hypnotise Someone Now

Hypnotism is something that seems very elusive to people. This could be due to what many have witnessed in movies or possibly seen a collection of people hypnotized all at once. In it's simplest form, hypnosis is simply a way to relax the mind through helping someone focus and alleviate blocks that may be keeping that individual from being in a relaxed state of mind. There are various techniques that can be utilized to achieve this state but what surprises most is that people can be in a hypnotized state at various times of the day without even knowing it. How this happens is that people often daydream, become very relaxed or allow their minds to drift resulting in a semi-hypnotic state.

Perhaps you are interested in learning how to hypnotize someone. If this is the case, there are plenty of courses available in the form of Cds, DVDs, on line courses and books at your disposal. Following the same lines, there are self hypnosis courses that entail a wide variety of subject matter. This type of hypnosis is available and sought for those of us who are dealing with addictions or to help with a troublesome issue. You will want to steer clear of any course promising to teach you hypnosis via sideshow tricks. The old saying is, "You get what you pay for." With these types of courses you will be simply wasting your money.

As you put someone under a hypnotic state, you open their mind to suggestion and contrary to popular belief, they will not be fully controlled by you. During the time someone is in a state of hypnosis, they are still in control of faculties. Another common misconception about people that are under hypnosis is that they have amnesia. It is a very rare case that a person would be in a deep enough state of hypnosis to actually experience amnesia. In the majority of cases, when someone is under hypnosis they are fully cognizant of the world around them.

The steps needed to actually hypnotize someone are pretty simple. We know already that people can sometimes hypnotize themselves. All you have to do is help them get to that actual state. Of the many hypnotist's out there, each one will have his or her own style they use. These different styles may include soft, soothing speech and also the use of mental images to aid them in placing someone under hypnosis.

So, if you are trying to learn how to hypnotize someone, the best thing that you can do is to buy a course and put the misconceptions about hypnosis out of your mind. Once you have done this, you will be able to help your friends and family members and even yourself to achieve a level of relaxation that can be very therapeutic. After you have mastered the art of hypnosis, there's nothing you won't be able to do for yourself and others.

If you truly want to learn how to hypnotize someone, then visit www.tranquilhypnosis.com/hypnotizesomeone.html now for the best course available on the web. Shane Wilson is a successful website owner at Tranquilhypnosis.com where he has further info on the topic of hypnosis. Stop what your doing and visit his site today.

Beating Your Fears

Have you ever felt afraid - I mean so much so that it prevented you from doing something you really wanted to do? Believe it or not, this is more common problem than you may think and is faced by many people daily.

Fear has such power that it can prevent you from doing the things you want to. Sailing, following your dreams, skydiving, even achieving success, whatever. It can hold you back from the quality of life you desire if you allow it to control you long enough.

Many people don't realize that fear is nothing more than natural reaction to a frightening or unfamiliar situation. While you usually feel this with no conscious effort on your part, there are things you can do to help overcome it.

Expecting negative results from something feeds your fear. Worrying about what could go wrong doesn't help. Concentrate on a positive outcome and what you can do to make it happen.

Make a conscious effort to expect the best by looking for the positive in every situation. And if fear does manage to creep into your consciousness, keep it in perspective and balance it against an underlying sense of confidence.

It's easy for someone else to tell say "don't worry about it" or "it'll be fine", easy for them to say. This may be true, but it sure doesn't feel that way at the time. However if you deal with your fear as it arises, you may be able to keep it under control.

For example, most people have a fear of public speaking. Now your boss wants you to give a presentation at work, what are you going to do? Quit? You might feel like your life is on the line. Or at least your job. You may feel to look inadequate to your co-workers.

Will this happen? Most likely not. So instead of worrying about the "what ifs" focus on ways to help your presentation. Be well prepared, practice your on friends and family members or even in front of the mirror.

If you remember that fear is just a feeling, it loses much of its power. It can't harm you and in fact can keep you safe in potentially dangerous situations. Like not walking down that dark alley at night.

Look at the pros and cons in any situation on a case by case basis. You may see that any negative consequences are not as bad as you think. This may be a time to ignore your fear and go for it! The point isn't to go wild and start doing everything without considering the consequences, but rather realize whether your fear is justified or not.

Visit Enhanced Living With Hypnosis for help in all area's of your life.

Hypnosis Makes Weight Loss Easier

It's really peculiar when I hypnotize weight loss clients they have this idea that the hypnosis will make fat jump off their body. At least that's how they seem to respond sometimes. After their hypnosis sessions they will have healthier eating patterns, healthier food choices and become more active but if they don't lose weight right away they get disappointed and think hypnosis wasn't successful.

The problem is even something so clear and helpful like weight loss by hypnosis gets overlooked in the barrage of weight loss information and books available. With all the books that no one ever sees we could maybe heat up the homes in Boston for the next winter. It's sad at how many books are written, and I'm sure some of them are incredible and I would absolutely add them to my study, but we'll never know. Like the one about weight loss by hypnosis

More and more the topic of weight loss hypnosis is becoming known by people who seek a weight loss approach that actually works, and I don't mean for a while and then go back to your old way. Of course there are programs that will assist a person to actually lose weight, hardly ever without a struggle, but it isn't enough to create a lifestyle change. I hear it all the time… "I now weight more after dieting for years than when I first started. I lose weight and then I gain back more." This is why weight loss hypnosis is the key to real change to create a healthy lifestyle so the weight doesn't keep coming back.

The issue with food and over eating coupled with lack of activity, mostly due to electronics as entertainment, weight loss hypnosis for children is real but all they'd have to do is be told to go out and play and for adults to stop over feeding the kids and when they do, feed them healthier food. Weight loss hypnosis for children is yet another sign of a declining society sinking deeper into the hole of bad health.

I sometimes wonder is there a weight loss program available that truly is different? It seems they all teach you what you already know, or at least after the first weight loss program you join you learn what you need to in order to be aware of what you need to do to lose weight. Fact is we all know what to do without any programs; stop eating unhealthy fast food and everything else that causes fat and physical harm and eat what is healthier.

I know there can be discussions and debates about the best way to lose weight, what works fastest, best, safest or cheapest. What matters is what works for you because if something isn't comfortable then it won't be something you'll stick with. Consistency in anything we do is important even with weight loss thru hypnosis. It's repetition that creates habits and what we want to do is have healthy habits and not have to struggle and rollercoaster in our behaviors.

Creating healthy habits and a healthier lifestyle is the way to maintain a healthy weight to look good, feel good and maybe even live longer. Odds are it isn't going to hurt and weight loss thru hypnosis can be a wonderful part of that approach. I have had many clients make the mistake of thinking they'll get hypnotized, change and never have to worry again. The truth is what we use that works needs to be applied, exercise, eating right or hypnosis.

I know there can be discussions and debates about the best way to lose weight, what works fastest, best, safest or cheapest. What matters is what works for you because if something isn't comfortable then it won't be something you'll stick with. Consistency in anything we do is important even with weight loss thru hypnosis. It's repetition that creates habits and what we want to do is have healthy habits and not have to struggle and rollercoaster in our behaviors. Creating healthy habits and a healthier lifestyle is the way to maintain a healthy weight to look good, feel good and maybe even live longer. Odds are it isn't going to hurt and weight loss thru hypnosis can be a wonderful part of that approach. I have had many clients make the mistake of thinking they'll get hypnotized, change and never have to worry again.

If you are tired of trying dozens of diets and the latest weight loss fad, then it is time for you to consider thinking about Hypnotize Weight Loss. More information is available at our web site.

Independent

About Being Conscious Of Your Unconscious

Becoming Conscious of Your Unconscious

It was only in the 20th Century that Sigmund Freud asserted that we have an unconscious mind.

Since then, many techniques have been created to figure out this 'storehouse' of our memories, dreams, and emotions. But what is the unconscious mind? And how can we utilise it to become more whole, or healthy?

There are some things in life you feel you have no control over. Whether its the way you feel when you wake up in the morning, that cup of coffee you seem to need to have, or perhaps the way you think about yourself when you look in the mirror-Your unconscious mind runs all of these behaviours and beliefs. Anything that is repeated several times becomes an unconscious habit.

We are still learning and discovering more about the unconscious mind, but what we do know is that it is very subserviant. It acts in your best interests, and is always trying to fulfil a need.

You may be thinking, how is smoking in my best interests?!? Surely my unconscious mind causes me to smoke, as I can't control my cravings! And you'd be right, your unconscious mind does run your habits. But they were created first and foremost for a reason. Unconsciously you may have wanted to relieve stress, boredom, or cope with a social situation of some sort.

Let's think of your unconscious mind as being like SatNav in a car, and your conscious mind as being the driver. Lets go one step further and say that the car is super-sophisticated and when you program in your Sat Nav, the car will drive itself and get you to where you want to be. Sounds like a good car! But then whats the use of the driver? I hear you say. Well, the driver has the autonomy to program the car, to send it directly where he or she wants to be. And the Sat Nav wilfully responds.

So we can say this is a perfect metaphor for how your conscious and unconscious mind works. You are in the driving seat, you have the power to direct your unconscious mind. Unfortunately most people do not know how they can do this, or even that it is possible! However, since the discovery of the unconscious many have attempted to retrain the unconscious mind to get you where you want to be. Indeed, Empowerment gurus such as Anthony Robbins and Joseph Clough have proven how you can change every area of your life by re-training your unconscious mind.

Sounds too easy to be true? Well, the reason it is so powerful is because your unconscious mind does not know the difference between a real or an imagined situation. This is why dreams can affect us so profoundly and we can wake up in a cold sweat or feeling an emotion in our bodies that wasn't actually real.

As we move towards a whole understanding of science and ourselves, the unconscious mind appears to be a gateway towards accessing the incredible power of our unconscious mind. There have been many successful studies in hypnosis showing that trance can suppress pain, facilitate healing, and much more. The mystery of how and why it works is still as yet unknown.

What the discovery of the unconscious mind shows is that we have access to much more power than we previously thought. As we learn more about our own unconscious mind, we can start to work with it and familiarise ourselves with the way it works. Our unconscious mind is our faithful servant; it is the 'program' or software to how we run our lives.

Imagine what would happen if we got back in the driving seat, if we attempted to harness the power of our own unconscious?

Being in control of our minds allows the conscious and the unconscious to work in harmony with each other- the car is driving to the driver's intended destination.

As we strive to become whole, healthy and happy, perhaps we need only to listen to the subtle forces that guide our thinking in order to relinquish control.

Liverpool Hypnotherapy are based in Aigburth, South Liverpool and offer NLP, Hypnosis and TimeLine Therapy as well as a range of over 35 hypnosis titles available on CD or download.