The Hypnotizer

Disney Hypnosis, Age Regression, and “Feelin’ good for no reason.”

March 9th, 2010

Connie and Michael at DisneyWorld.

It was a ”double whammy” of hypnosis! Michael and I were in Orlando, Florida last week having the time of our lives in an advanced hypnosis training. It’s called NLP, but according to Dr. Richard Bandler, the father and co-creator of NLP, NLP is “high tech hypnosis.” As the inventor of the thing, he should know!! And that’s what we were learning. More and more cool ways to run our minds the way we want them to run. Creating designer brains.

Bandler is a master hypnotist.

One of the cool things about hypnosis: you learn best while IN hypnosis. That’s my definition of hypnosis: an accellerated learning state. So, while we were sitting in this seminar room, the incredible and masterful Dr. Bandler was spinning his web of words and ideas and hypnotized us into learning more. Hypnotized us into a state of FEEL GOOD. Learning to feel good in our lives. As he puts it: “for no reason at all.” Feelin’ good for no reason at all. What an idea!!

Changing the neurology of our body to experience life differently. Talking to our conscious minds enough to keep us engaged and entertained and loving it, talking to our unconscious minds a WHOLE LOT more. Perhaps 5% conscious learning to 95% unconscious learning.

Bandler is a master hypnotist. So was Walt Disney. And the worlds he created are still hypnotizing us.

So, Michael and I were walking around in a wonderful learning trance for two weeks in Orlando, Florida. We had a day off between trainings, and we decided to go to Disneyworld! Layered with Bandler trance, we entered the “Magic Kingdom” and Disney Hypnosis took hold.

Talk about age regression! Another hypnotic phenomenon! Age regression: returning to an earlier time in your life, in your mind. When you do this or see this, the person changes before your eyes. Looks different, sounds different, and for sure, acts differently. Have you ever seen a grown man stomping his feet and having a tantrum?–I had bosses like that. How do you talk to a 3-year-old in an adult body? At Disney, our regressions were all good feelings!

Look at the “ears” picture above. How old are we? Look at this picture. How old is the person in the car, inside himself?

Go speed racer, go!

I asked Michael. How old are you in this picture? He said: “10, 12 years old.” I can see that.

You know how a song can “imprint” into your mind, and keeps running and keeps running? We heard a song at Disney, and it imprinted on Michael. And he’s been singing it for a week or two now so it’s sure as shooting imprinting into me as well. “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” One of Walt’s theme songs. It accompanies an exhibit called “Carousel of Progress.” Here are the words:

“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of ev’ryday
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
And tomorrow’s just a dream away

Man has a dream and that’s the start
He follows his dream with mind and heart
And when it becomes a reality
It’s a dream come true for you and me

So there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of ev’ryday
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Just a dream away”

I mean, he wakes up singing this thing into my ear! The today of right now is clearly the tomorrow he was dreaming of big and beautiful and bright and filling him with joy in the morning. That’s a good thing–and quite different from his old “wake up” pattern! The man’s been hypnotized!

Obviously, Disney was onto something. Something compelling and powerful. Hypnosis! The hypnosis to feel good. What would it be like if we all could experience life from a state of automatic FEEL GOOD? What would it be like to enjoy life more and more, and feel like an 8 year old walking through the gates to Disneyland any time we wanted to? Fill ourselves with passion and excitement, enthusiasm and joy? What would it be like to experience life in that way, anyday, everyday, for no reason?

Feel good for no reason. Expect great things. Why not? How much joy can you stand? I admire Walt’s hypnotic magic. I have some of my own, too. I help people do this. Bring good feelings where they’re useful and create positive change because when you feel differently you have different brain chemistry, and you think differently, you experience life differently, and you act differently.

Warm Regards & wishing you a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (and today),
Connie

Connie at Disney.

Posted in Hypnosis, Musings | No Comments »

Spring!

March 4th, 2010

It's spring in Seattle!

I often use a lot of nature imagery with clients, it’s so easy to do and something we all experience and understand well - the changing of the seasons. Spring in particular is perfect for a hypnotic metaphor. It’s “new life,” it’s “new beginnings,” it’s “change,” it’s “freshness,” it’s “growth,” it’s “color,” it’s full of promise and opportunity, it’s magnificent. And it’s happening NOW. Just like we want your own life changes to be doing. Happening now. Right now! It’s time.

Michael and I were in rainy and cold Florida for two weeks getting our minds stuffed full of useful new hypnosis and NLP tools. We both have two new certificates to add to the “I love me” wall: per the King of hypnosis, Dr. Richard Bandler, we are now “Design Human Engineers,” and “Persuasion Engineers.” TM (trademark) on both. It’s interesting that the more STUFF I learn, the more tools I acquire and add to my healing toolbelt, the lighter it gets. The lighter I feel. These aren’t like hammers and anvils weighing me down, these are tools to LIFT and enhance life. More! And fine tools they are, for fine tuning life.

So, we arrived home to discover that spring has sprung. How nice! The trees outside my office window are blooming now, providing the perfect metaphor for the unconscious minds of my clients!

You don’t have to drive through the University of Washington Arboretum or walk through the cherry-blossom quad on campus to see some fresh blooming life, you can look in the mirror. After seeing me, of course. I’m ready. Are you?

Warm Spring Regards,
Connie

Tags: health, Hypnosis, NLP, power of the mind, success
Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

Design Human Engineering

February 16th, 2010

Connie and Michael with Dr. Richard Bandler, the KING, in March of 2008!

Michael and I are off to Orlando, Florida to learn more TOOLS for change from the renowned co-originator of NLP — Dr. Richard Bandler. Strategies for personal change. And for helping our clients and students change. I’m so excited, been waiting for this training for 2 years! And now, it’s 2 days away. Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin into the fu-ture! That’s right. And it’s a good thing.

Learning is a never-ending process, and I’m so grateful for another opportunity to learn. From the best of the best. We’re learning “Persuasion Engineering” and “Design Human Engineering.” We studied with Dr. Bandler before, in his “Charisma Enhancement” (yes, it worked) and Licensed Trainer’s Training.

For more about NLP and Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™ and how amazing it is for life change, feel free to check out the training side of what Michael and I do: http://www.seattlenlptraining.com. We’re offering another Licensed Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™ training in April and May, 2010.

I’ll be in touch, updating my blog and site(s) from the road and from the trainings.

Warmest Regards from warm and sunny Florida! (soon)
Connie

Tags: design human engineering, dr. richard bandler, Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP
Posted in NLP | No Comments »

Fear not

February 10th, 2010

Hi, guys!

Lately, I’ve been thinking about fear. And how unneccessary it is. To feel it. I had a spider phobia for a LONG time, long long long time. Decades. (I don’t really want to advertise how old I am, but I know precisely when and where I learned to be afraid of spiders–I was grade school age, probably around 7, at the bus stop on Mercer Island, off of 72nd street–while talking to a girl named Paige.) It was a one-shot learning. And, as I discovered a few years ago, it can be unlearned just as quickly.

Spiders - the bane of my life for 30+ years.

I was telling a story to Paige. Not a nice story. It was about spiders. I was trying to scare HER. With words. And somehow, I scared myself so thoroughly and horrifically, that it STUCK. I suppose that’s justice! I was terrified of spiders for more than 30 years. Seeing a spider would set me OFF–body recoiling, heart pounding, adrenalin pumping, an involuntary gasp or scream or two, and so on. But not only that–I lived “on alert” for spiders. Anytime I would enter a room, any room, but primarily bathrooms, I’d scan, the floor, the walls, the crevices, looking for danger. Looking for spiders. Any spider, regardless of size, would set off the same phobic response in me, even microscopic spiders. If I’d see a speck or dot across the room on the wall, I’d have to wonder and worry: “Is that a spider?”

I had what my hubby came to call “bug radar.” If a spider was anywhere near, I’d know it. And, freak out!

To lessen the tension of this horrific story about how I was tortured for decades with fear–let me tell a more pleasant spider anecdote! When I first started dating my future hubby, I had an apartment. He had an apartment. Neither of us had cars. One night, I was getting ready for bed, and found–horrors!!–a spider in my bathtub. What to do? I could not, no way, no how, just go to bed knowing a spider was around. Nor could I touch it, or go near it. I was distraught. I called Michael. That sweet man took a city bus across town (probably more than 1 bus) to come save me that night. When he did that, I knew it was LOVE! Then and there I decided to keep him, forever, and I am. 29 years and counting!!

My hero!

So, anyway, everyone knew about my spider “thing” and some people laughed at me about it. Like my mother. We went camping and a spider was crawling up her leg at one point in one of those open-air-bathrooms in the woods. She laughed, thinking how I would scream. Yes, I would have. I didn’t see or know any way out of this FEAR. Yes, I knew it was unreasonable, spiders are tiny, I wasn’t, and yes, I could stomp the living daylights out of them, but that did not lessen the FEAR. The panic response in my body. The conscious mind wasn’t in charge of this thing.

Seal of the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming TM (your seal of the best).

Until 4 years ago. I learned NLP. And NLP can crush the daylights out of fear. Quicker than you can imagine. See, when you learn something, you’ve got a pattern running in you. Mine was spider: shriek! spider: recoil! spider: fear! All three of those things together. Well, NLP broke the pattern. In about 15 minutes, conversationally, I learned something new, a new pattern. A pattern called: spider: feel calm! spider: feel neutral! spider: feel clear-minded! And that new pattern has been running for 4 years in me. I’m not afraid anymore.

Of course, I was super skeptical—how could something that’s been such a terror to me just vanish? Well, it did, and how I KNEW, how I came to believe was the next time I came face to face with a spider. Nothing. No reaction in my body. I felt so amazingly free. Calm gives me the clarity to see if the spider is actually a threat or not. Some spiders ARE dangerous. It’s miraculous, actually. That’s what NLP is and does: miracles on demand.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™. Neuro meaning the neurology in your body, how you feel and function. Linguistic meaning communications, spoken, unspoken, language, etc. Programming to me means change. Changing how you feel in your body via communication. My spider fear was changed to my spider calm. Neutral. An absense of any negative feelings. How wonderful.

NLP is miraculous on phobias. Every kind. It’s all just unconscious associations, stimulus response patterns which get learned/installed. I can help you learn something better, and more resourceful. Because I’ve learned NLP.

I’ve worked with a wide variety of fears and anxieties with my clients, from claustrophobia, to fear of flying, to fear of public speaking, to fear of records stores, to fear of deep water, to fear of the wind, fear of heights, fear of spiders, and so on… with GREAT success. NLP works! Hypnosis works. Together, they really, really work.

I declare 2010 the “free from fear” year. I want to help people release fear. Sometimes fear makes sense and is appropriate, but when it isn’t–let me help! I’d love to. And I know it works. Every time I come face to face with a spider–a rare thing now–I know it.

I saw a spider on the floor of my bathroom about a month ago, sitting by the edge of some pants that I had thrown on the floor (don’t tell anybody), and it didn’t bother me at all. Before, it would have been a FREAK OUT DELUXE that a spider might get into my clothes…here it was live and let live. I didn’t care enough about the spider to even DO anything about it. It was there for several days, sitting in the corner, and I noticed it calmly and ignored it. That’s freedom.

If you’ve got an irrational fear, think about this: How would you rather feel? The tools I know can get you there, into that new feeling. Rapido!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Connie Brannan, CHt., Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapist

Tags: Confidence, health, Hypnosis, Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP, Phobia cure, spider phobia, success, wellness
Posted in NLP | 2 Comments »

Candy Hallucinations…or, it’s all licorice!

February 1st, 2010

M&Ms were my favorite, too.

Hi, Hypno-Friends.

I’m my own guinea pig. And that’s a good thing. I work on myself (hypnotically and NLP Nelp-notically) all the time to improve my life! And Michael works with me, too. I have a cute story from yesterday to share!

We were out and about on a Sunday running errands, and we ended up in a little arcade of shops that includes a candy store. One of those colorful “every-kind-of candy-you-can-imagine” in bulk bins stores. PLUS, it was also an ice cream shoppe and coffee shop. Not that I was drawn through any particular URGE into the candy store, but I thought: it’s a good time to test my responses. To chocolate, to sugar, to CANDY! So, I went in!

Now, you have to know my history a little. Candy was MY THING. All my life. Candy Connie. We’re talking addictive behavior. It was the focus of much of my life, pretty much. Eating it, finding it, buying it, hoarding it, making it, too. Having it around made me feel safe. But mostly, my focus was buying it and eating it. I think I learned that from my mom–she had candy every day of her life. It was always around. And I ate it every day, too. Too much of it. As a kid, Halloween was my favorite holiday. Candy!!! Yay!!! As an adult and bargain hunter, Halloween was still my favorite holiday, especially the day after Halloween and also the day after Valentine’s and other “chocolate holidays.” Half price candy! I was delirious with joy!

I remember those days, but I no longer feel the pull. Of sugar. Hypnosis is wonderful for focusing your mind on healthy choices, and I’ve been doing it for 3-4 years now. I don’t eat candy at all. And I don’t think about it–in general. But here was this candy store, so I thought: “Let’s go test!”

I went inside the store and looked around, and also looked INside me to see how I was feeling. The main question: “Did I want any? Did the candy look appealing to me? Was there a temptation to buy any?” No, no, and no. But here’s the funny thing. All these bins, all these choices, and the only thing I could notice were the candies I don’t like. The ones I’ve NEVER liked. Like root beer flavor (yuck!) gummies, like LICORICE. Black licorice. Hate it!!! I wouldn’t eat that in a million years–even before during my heydey of sugar abandon. Sweet-tart legos. Also yick. My mind was sorting for “yick,” and nothing looked good.

Suddenly, in my imagination, everything was licorice. Those horrid bins of black licorice “all sorts.” That’s what I saw, that’s what I felt (I would never eat that), and then I left the store. Somehow, all the nice, fancy chocolates never caught my eye or attention. The ice cream–didn’t notice it. It was a store full of black licorice all sorts. “Let me OUT of here!!”

A naturally occurring hypnotic phenomenon is hallucination. Both positive hallucinations (seeing something that isn’t there) and negative hallucinations (not seeing something that IS there.) I was having negative hallucinations. Standing in that candy store, I didn’t see anything appealing. It was kind of cool and kind of weird at the same time. This was never something directly suggested to me (the candy I used to like is invisible) but it seems to be how my new healthy eating focus is manifesting here. I like it!

One more quick story, similar in nature. I was in Las Vegas assisting with a conversational hypnosis training a couple months ago. I brought in some bags of M&M’s for the group. Giant bags containing many mini bags–those little treat size bags of M&M’s–like you get at Halloween! Anyway, apparently they were tempting one of my friends there, named Kerry. His downfall: peanut M&M’s. He asked me to do some hypnosis and NLP with him to help him with the candy and sugar cravings. I did. He also reported a very interesting hallucination effect. Weirder even than mine! He told me that next morning he literally DID NOT SEE the packages of M&M’s on the table. He could see the fabric of the tablecloth underneath, kind of buckled and wrinkled like something was on it, but didn’t see the candy. He was freaked! And admiring. And happy. So, he didn’t eat any. You don’t eat what you don’t see.

The upshot of all this: when you choose healthy eating, your unconscious mind “makes it so.” Like Jean Luc Picard on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. “Make it so!!” My unconscious mind was sure doing it in a very fascinating and creative way. Yes, if all candy was black licorice, I wouldn’t touch it. And I don’t. Feelin’ good, still losing weight here.

Warm Regards, and Happy February!
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

How I discovered Hypnosis!

January 30th, 2010

It's showtime!

For my hypno-friends! Here’s a film clip from my recent presentation at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, where I gave a talk about hypnosis and weight management. That event was fun, as I LOVE to talk about hypnosis–my passion.

My presentation was filmed, and I hope to eventually share several video “snippets” with you, because I like a lot of what I say there.

However, it’s slow going to perform my own video editing given that I haven’t yet really given myself the time to LEARN thoroughly the editing program I’m using. Yet, I can and have been doing it anyway. I want to do it better, and more efficiently…and, of course, I will. For now, I’ve created one Youtube video from Evergreen, where I tell a story about “How I Discovered Hypnosis!” Here it is:

Let me know your impressions… (As long as they’re positive!)

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

“Too Stimulating”

January 28th, 2010

http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net

Hi, here’s another “musing.” I was on the phone today with a potential student for my NLP and hypnosis trainings, and she informed me that my website, Mindworks Hypnosis was overly “stimulating.” I laughed out loud. I’m doubtful that she meant something positive by it, but I see that comment as a good thing! Oh, yes!

Stimulation is good in my book. According to dictionary dot com, stimulation means: arouse, activate, excite. Those words all sound beautiful to me. OVER-stimulation, well, that’s a sliding scale of subjectivity, and everyone is different. Some people would be overstimulated sitting quiety in a dark room, and others might be UNDER-stimulated while riding a roller-coaster at the fair. If there were no stimulation, life would be a flat line affair.

Arouse! Activate! Excite! Yes, that’s what I want my website to do! Yes, that’s what I want my words and stories to do, whether I’m teaching or working with clients, or just talking, or writing this blog. And yes, that’s what hypnosis itself does. Hypnosis = Stimulation. In hypnosis, we stimulate the unconscious mind–to see that things can be different, and better.

In discussions with hypno-friends we discuss this idea of sleep. Hypnosis as sleep. How erroneous can an idea be?? What hypnosis does is wake a person up!! Wake a person up to new possibilities and creativity and his/her own strengths and abilities to move in that direction. Wake up!! A lot of us live self-imposed limited lives, we trudge through a lot of our days on autopilot, with blinders on, robotic, zombie-like, and assuming what happened yesterday has to happen today and has to happen tomorrow. Boxes, walls, trapped! (I know this feeling, because I used to live this way, too.) Trapped! No way, Jose! Wake up!! Hypnosis wakes a person up to choice, and stimulates a recognition of the limitless vistas of possibility.

Things can be different. Beginning now.

I’m happy to stimulate people to see beyond, to imagine more. When that girl said my website was too “stimulating,” I think she meant it as a criticism. I take it as a giant compliment!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: Hypnosis, NLP, personal development, success, trance
Posted in Musings | No Comments »

Podcasts – Coming Soon!

January 25th, 2010

Connie Brannan, CHt., Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapist

Hi, friends!

I was just interviewed via podcast, for inclusion on a new website about everyday hypnosis. Michael and I, both! Stay turned for the podcasts which I will share with you all as soon as they are available.

In the interview, I’m talking about the power of hypnosis for positive change, in my own life and health and for everyone. I focus my remarks and stories primarily on weight loss! Michael focuses on hypnosis for sports enhancement (in his case the martial arts–where he holds a black belt in karate) and learning enhancement. That man is smart as a whip! And guess what helps? Hypnosis is a powerful tool for success in all these things.

Here’s my new tagline about hypnosis: “It’s good stuff.” Yes, it is!

The interviewer is a friend of mine, a gentleman hypnotist named David Karasek. He’s another strong proponent, like me!, of hypnosis as a force for good in the world. Yes, it is!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

“New Year, New You! Managing Your Weight Through Hypnosis”

January 16th, 2010

Connie presenting a talk at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center 1-16-10

: A World Hypnotism Day Event – At Evergreen Hospital Medical Center

I’ll be presenting a talk tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 1/16/10, at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. 2:00 PM. In a “Tan” classroom of the Evergreen Surgery & Physicians Center building, first floor. Come one come all, and learn more about this amazing tool for life enhancement. Not to sound like a broken record, but some broken records are good and worth listening to: It Works! And better still, this talk is free!

It’s an ideal opportunity to hobnob with hypnotists, and learn more! Ask questions. Experience trance for yourself. Why not?

If your new year’s resolution involves shedding a few, if you’re having an issue with weight management, this talk is for you! I’ve been there, done that, and come out the other side–successful. Learn how you can, too.

For more information, you may contact Evergreen directly at (425) 899-3000.

Hope to see you there!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Connie Brannan, Master Hypnotist

Posted in Events, Hypnosis | 2 Comments »

Explore!: Healing and Hypnosis

January 11th, 2010

Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist

C’mon and get hypnotized! Once again I’ll be teaching at Bellevue College as part of the Explore! program. This go-round I’m offering two courses. The first begins this month, Monday, January 25th, and it’s on the topic of healing and hypnosis.

I’m quite excited about it, as it’s a topic close to my heart. I had a close family member come very near death, as in coma and on life support and not expected to live, and I believe that hypnosis played a part in her miraculous and thriving recovery. Trust me, I know the power of hypnosis. This is a very personal story I’ll share in more detail at my course:

Here are the particulars of the course!
http://www.campusce.net/BC/course/course.aspx?C=12058&pc=1066&mc=1387&sc=

Healing and Hypnosis: Secrets to Wellness

In this hands-on workshop you will learn about the mind-body connection, and the transformational power of self-hypnosis. You will learn (and experience) what hypnosis is, how your mind works, how to hypnotize yourself, how to craft potent suggestions, how to put it all together in a simple process to use these skills for accessing your power within and enhancing your own health and wellness. This workshop is conducted by Connie Brannan, CHt, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Professional Conversational Hypnotherapist and Licensed Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™.

Healing and Hypnosis: Secrets to Wellness
Item: W8955 Connie Brannan
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM North Campus
Sessions: 2 M Address: 10700 Northup Way Bellevue, WA 98004
1/25/2010 – 2/1/2010 Fee: $89.00

I’m also teaching another course in Building Confidence and Self-Esteem through Self-Hypnosis. That course begins in March. Details here:
http://www.campusce.net/BC/course/course.aspx?C=11562&pc=1066&mc=1387&sc=

Each course is sure to be lots of fun and learning crammed into two 3-hour evening classes. If it fits your schedule, I recommend these as an easy and inexpensive beginner’s taster introduction to hypnosis. Feel free to email me for more info: connie@mindworkshypnosis.net.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: Confidence, health, Hypnosis, New Year's Resolutions, NLP, power of the mind, wellness
Posted in Events, Hypnosis | No Comments »

World Hypnotism Day!

January 6th, 2010

World Hypnotism Day 2010

Hi, Hypno Friends!

January 4th is the “official” 6th annual World Hypnotism Day, a day in which all things hypnotic are celebrated and knowledge spread to the general public about this fantastic tool for change! The “day” was yesterday, but it’s celebrated by formal and informal hypnosis organizations all this month! Personally, I celebrate hypnosis every day of my life!

My little sister was describing me recently to a family member who hasn’t seen me in quite awhile: “Connie’s happy now.” Yes, I am! And I credit hypnosis as the impetus and mechanism for making MAJOR shifts in my life, my body, my attitude, my career, my joy. So, everyday for me is I Love Hypnosis Day!

However…there is a formally recognized day. And it is now, and all this month! And it has events!

I’m a part of two major World Hypnotism Day Events this year, and I thought to share the particulars with YOU. Because, you’re invited. You’re invited to attend, and learn, and experience more about hypnosis.

1) My Professional Organization, The NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists) – WA (Washington State Chapter) has an event on January 30th! It’s tentatively to be held at the Seattle Public Library, all day that day, which is a Saturday. More information is to be found here:

http://www.nghwa.org/world_hypnotism_day.htm

National Guild of Hypnotists

There will be talks and demos and participatory STUFF presented by a select few of top notch professional hypnotists and hypnotherapists in the Pacific Northwest. I’m presenting a talk on self hypnosis! C’mon down and get hypnotized. It’s free–though there are some classes/events to be included which are earmarked for hypnosis professionals and enthusiasts and those have a modest fee. Free is good. C’mon down!

2) There is a Hypnotherapy & Mind-Body Wellness Day happening on January 16th at the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. That’s also a Saturday. This could be your month of hypnosis-happening-Saturdays! I’m a part of this event as well. I am presenting a talk entitled: “New Year, New You! Managing Your Weight Through Hypnosis.” 2 pm. C’mon down. Meet me! Listen to my talk! Learn more! It’s all good!

Here’s more information on that:

Evergreen Medical Center on 1-16-10.

I do hope you can make the time to learn more about hypnosis, and attend either or both of these events, either for all day or a talk or two. BECAUSE…it’s powerful stuff. Hypnosis is! Good stuff. Who knows? You may just be delighted at what you learn, entranced enough to want to learn more, and perhaps make a move as I did, and incorporate this into your life!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Events, Hypnosis | No Comments »

Just for Fun

December 17th, 2009

Michael and I have “elfed ourselves.” You can, too. Too funny. Thought I’d share this.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Posted in Hypnosis | 4 Comments »

Hollyweird

December 15th, 2009

The Hypnotic Eye, 1960 Hypno-Horror movie

Last night, Michael and I watched a movie. THE HYPNOTIC EYE. 1960 hypno-horror ridiculousness. On the one hand, it is (unintentionally) hilarious–beyond ridiculous, to anyone who understands what hypnosis is and how it works. On the other hand, it is quite disturbing that this movie helped shape beliefs about hypnosis to minds of the 60’s and beyond!

This movie features sadistic, evil, murdering hypnotists! Not just one, but TWO evil hypnotists. Stage hypnotists. Working together on the unsuspecting public to torture and maim. Nice! (NOT!) The male hypnotist also had his hypno-seduction thing going on, too.

Visually, the movie was stunning, and evocative. Black and white. And not just black in color, I think they call it “film noir.” Nice spooky soundtrack.

Hollywood and popular culture sure like to malign hypnosis and hypnotists. It’s not just movies of the 60’s, swirling with hypnowheels and blinking electronics, men with dark, evil eyes and even evil-er intent, and swooning, helpless women. That mystique continues today in popular culture, movies, television. A mystique of fear, and darkness, mind control, and nasty intent. A recent episode of “The Mentalist” (massively popular US television show) featured an evil, murdering hypnotist as well. Also, thieving!

Of course, people who truly feel that hypnosis is dark and dangerous don’t come into my world. They aren’t coming to me for help. So, I really don’t know how prevalent this myth-bound attitude is. When I teach my courses at Bellevue College and with my own school, Mindworks NLP, and even one on one with clients, I ferret out these fear beliefs and counter with what I know is true. And clients and students experience that truth!

Hypnosis is a healing art. It’s natural, and positive. It’s one of the most natural and positive forces in the universe, and it’s not something “being done” to someone else. It’s what we can do inside ourselves and for ourselves. It’s a GOOD thing. Powerful, positive, healing, expanding, beautiful. Natural. We all go in and out of hypnosis every day. Reading, daydreaming, playing on the computer, writing, watching TV, just THINKING, it’s all hypnosis. I’ve always been a thinker, one prone to daytime dreaming, so I’ve always been a hypnotist. You are one, too. I have a hypnosis friend named Skip. He says we’re in a hypnotic state 24/7, only trading one trance for another. I like that idea, too!

So, while these movies and shows are surely entertaining, and might be “fun,” please take it with a grain or two or thousand grains of skepticism when you see, hear, or read in popular culture about all the evil hypnotists and their evil mind control power. Maybe it helps sell movies, but it ain’t reality.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: film noir, Hypnosis, stage hypnosis
Posted in Hypnosis, Musings | 1 Comment »

More Musings About Weight Loss

December 12th, 2009

Connie Brannan, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. TRUE! But I have some more words to say about this as well. I’m still thinking about weight and body image and self esteem and confidence and health and how hypnosis can improve all those things. Unrecognizably so, in some cases. Hypnosis works. Fantastically well. On so many things. But…especially, weight loss. That’s a topic dear to my heart. And hips. And chin (singular nowadays).

I’ve been having a slew of weight loss clients lately. And, you know, I LOVE THAT! Love it. They’re not waiting until the first of the year and New Year’s Resolutions, they’re moving forward on what they want. NOW! I love that. When you’re ready, you’re ready. Are any of you out there ready to change your life? You can, you know. And it’s not magic, and it’s not voo doo and it’s also not horrifically difficult–it’s simply you doing what you want. Do you want to lose weight? I can help. My tools can help. Those tools are hypnosis and NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™.

I often get together with groups of hypnotists, at trainings and at professional meetings. I’m not mentioning any names, but you know, there are some seriously obese hypnotists out there selling weight loss services. In my book, that’s incongruent. They aren’t “walking the talk.” I am. I do. I wouldn’t go to a chain smoking hypnotist to quit tobacco, either.

If you want serious, passionate, compassionate (I’ve been there, believe it!), dedicated, KNOWLEDGABLE, successful help with this issue, I’m your hypnotist. I know fat. I know all about it. A lifetime of knowing. Until I learned something else. Not fat. I can teach you not fat. Come learn with me!

Wishing you health and success this holiday season,

Connie

Tags: health, Hypnosis, New Year's Resolutions, NLP, weight loss
Posted in Hypnosis | 2 Comments »

Hypnowheel in the sky

December 10th, 2009

Watch this! It’s cool.

To me, it’s a very recognizable symbol. It’s a hypnowheel… of light! I think it’s a message, that HYPNOSIS WORKS! And those who saw it live or see it in video form, should get that message deep deep deep into their unconscious. Yes, very cool!

Michael says: it’s the universe trying to hypnotize us. If so, I say: bring it. Hypnosis is a positive experience, always.

Warmest regards in these chill times (WINTER),
Connie

Posted in Musings | No Comments »

Reminder: My Self Hypnosis Course for BC happens tomorrow, 11/30!

November 29th, 2009

I teach continuing ed for Bellevue College

http://www.campusce.net/BC/course/course.aspx?C=11559&pc=1066&mc=1387&sc=

Healthy Hypnosis: Let Go of Weight

Imagine yourself in your “skinny jeans.” Hear the compliments of your family and friends. Like what you see when you look in the mirror! Feel the energy! The hypnosis skills taught in this workshop can help you unleash the infinite power within you to achieve all this! You’ll learn to reprogram your own mind to act in ways you desire: healthy choices, healthy eating, motivation to exercise. It won’t be a struggle, and it’s not a “diet,” it’s simply doing what you want to do. Your mind and your body will be working together–for your health!!

As of this moment, there are still 5 seats remaining. I’d love to fill the room. Because, I BELIEVE in this, and I know it works. Who wants to jump start their New Year’s resolutions now? Why wait? Now is good. How about the strength and resolve to avoid all that food/treat/goodies temptation that comes with the holidays? You don’t have to gain weight this holiday season. You really don’t. You can start moving the other direction. Down, down, down.

I think I’ll bring some photo print-outs of me before I lost weight. As evidence that HYPNOSIS WORKS for so much, including weight loss. Yes, it does. And well.

Half the size.

Who else wants to sign up, c’mon down, and GET HYPNOTIZED!!? Follow the link above and you can! Hope to see you manana!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Events, Hypnosis | 1 Comment »

Vegas Hypno Training

November 23rd, 2009

Well, Michael and I are heading home from a 2-week long Vegas adventure. And not just any old Vegas adventure. A HYPNO adventure! We just completed two weeks of continuing education in the realm of conversational hypnosis — for hypnotherapeutic processes and general excellence in communication both. And influence. Good stuff.

Now, I can’t help but wonder who I will have become beyond the sunshine and back into the autumn Seattle skies and clouds, but not yet. Our flight is delayed, so here’s a blog from the airport! What fun! To the extent that you totally consider how deep down you all enjoy reading each and every one of my blog entries only here and only now and aside from that, learning more and more about hypnosis and it’s awesome power. (That’s some mind-bending language speak.)

I’m learning some new tools to help me help others and spin minds in resourceful directions. That’s what it’s all about!

I love Las Vegas. I love hypnosis. I love trance. I love learning. Put them together and it’s superlove. This was a valuable 2 weeks. Vegas is famous for its “Fremont Street Experience.” This was the “Henderson Hypno Experience.” We met some terrific people, because, truly, terrrific people are attracted to this healing art.

I’ll post some photos and tell some Vegas stories (in this instance what happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas) when I get home officially. But not yet.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

Confidence Booster – Michael’s Tirade

November 5th, 2009

Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist

Hi, again! The other day my husband and fellow hypnotist, Michael, was reading the Sunday paper. He likes to do that! In particular, he was reading Parade Magazine, one of the little inserts next to the grocery ads, coupons, and TV schedule. Under “Healthystyle Cheat Sheet” they had a little article called: “Two-Second Confidence Booster.” Basically, it was about a study and “growing research” that “found” that your body position affects your mood. Specifically, that sitting up straight can affect confidence.

Well, duh!

Michael was irritated that this was being presented as something new and groundbreaking. It’s not! This is something NLP, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, has known and advanced upon a hundred-thousand-fold over the past several DECADES, how the mind and body are linked and processes to change how you feel, how you think, how you act. I said: wow, talk about just the tip of the iceberg, that this little article shows just a tiny, tiny, miniscule understanding of our power for change and presents it as something so exciting and “new!” Michael said: it’s NOT even the tip of the iceberg. It’s less than that!

Our conclusion: more people need to know about NLP!!!

In the 70’s, NLP founder (and our teacher!) Dr. Richard Bandler developed an entire methodology that allows people to control their own lives, in his words: “get through it, get over it, get to it!” Motivation. Healing past hurts, letting go of fears and limiting beliefs, changing your current state of mind and life, and so much more, through such easy yet powerful techniques. As Richard also says: With NLP you are learning to “Drive your own bus.” I love me some Richard Bandler. He’s the KING! He’s licensed us to teach these materials, which we do through our school in the Seattle area: Mindworks NLP. If you’d like to know more about that, call me or look here: http://www.seattlenlptraining.com.

NLP is hypnosis on steroids!

Connie and Michael with the KING, Dr. Richard Bandler.

Michael and I are going to go study further with Dr. Bandler in Orlando, Florida in a few months! Yay!!

I use a blend of NLP and hypnosis in my therapy practice. Like chocolate and peanut butter! Two great things that go great together! I think it’s super powerful this blend of hypnosis and NLP, and my initial certification is as a “Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapist.” I love these tools for change. And there’s a hell of a lot more power to it than “sit up straight!”

Learn more about NLP here:
http://www.seattlenlptraining.com We also offer 1 and 2-day seminars on NLP topics such as NLP for Sales and Business Success, NLP for Personal Development, NLP for Therapists. It’s good stuff, and benefits anyone and EVERYONE who wants to live well.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: Confidence, Learn NLP, Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP
Posted in NLP | 1 Comment »

Why Halloween is for Hypnotists

November 1st, 2009

Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist

Yesterday was Halloween. I was sitting in a Starbucks (they’re everywhere here, and a day without coffee is like a day without clouds) and Michael and I were drinking some coffee. A little boy and girl were there with Mom and ran past me squealing in delight when they saw me. Because I was wearing a colorful Halloween sweater with spiders and cats on it and and some “antennae” with orange fur and bats on my head. The boy and girl came up to me and informed me that they were, respectively, a princess and SUPERMAN!!! He told me that with passion and intense conviction, and although he wasn’t wearing his costume at the moment, I could see it. Yes, he was superman.

Knowing that you’re superman is a good thing.

Imagination is a freedom. To an adult, a chair may be just a chair–something to sit on. To a child, a chair may be so much more, a car, a pony, a fort to climb on, a spaceship. I remember as a kid walking on living room furniture (I don’t think my Mom was in on this game)–the game was NOT to touch the floor as the floor was a moat or a lava pit or sure death of some kind. Furniture was land, and safety.

I was also at the costume store the other day, and saw imagination in full play. Adult imagination. Adults looking at, trying on, playing with Halloween costumes, and props–faces alive with “let’s pretend.” Yes, I AM a pirate! There was a magic in that store, and a life and energy that you don’t find in everyday life. Simply: it’s imagination. One of the “rules of the mind” I teach in my Bellevue College course is that “imagination is more powerful than knowledge.” Yes, it is!

I love imagination. It’s the stock in trade of what I do. Helping people change, in ways they want to. But, before they can do that, they have to have the imagination to see life could be different. They must be able to imagine themselves cigarette-free, thinner, more successful, etc. That’s part of what I help them do–because I can see it for them. Clearly! A person can come into my office with 50 pounds to lose, and I can fully imagine them thinner and healthier and living life with full passion. It’s who they really are. I can “see” their face thinner. Their body slimmer. I can see twitching turn to calm. I can see happiness. Hypnosis helps me communicate what I know is true for them. When people are feeling “stuck” in their lives, partly it’s because they’ve stomped down this innate childlike ability to see the world as full of possibility and potential. I help people reconnect with that ability, and change is streamlined.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis, Musings | 2 Comments »

Cleaning out the closets

October 28th, 2009

Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist

The topic is weight loss! Mine, in particular. See, I’ve been using my own tools, hypnosis and NLP to work on my own “stuff.” Lifelong stuff. And…I’m happy to report: it’s working! Going great! I’m now officially half my former size. I’m not going to say the NUMBERS because it’s not primarily about the numbers, in my mind. In fact, I don’t even weigh myself. It’s about how I feel. How I look. Energy! Vitality! Life! Those things are improving every day.

Thus, time to clean out the closets. I went through my clothes closet the other day, trying things on that I haven’t looked at since last winter, to see if my favorite coats and sweaters were something to keep or donate. Most were “donate!” Some of them looked like clown suits on me, so large. I thought about keeping one, as a reminder, but no–off they go! I said “goodbye” (literally and out loud) to several garments that I had particularly loved. My brown suede blazer. Goodbye! My black wool “peacoat.” Goodbye! A favorite embroidered and beaded sweater which was hanging long on me like a dress. Goodbye!

Letting go is good. Letting go of things that are no longer needed or useful. Like the extra weight. Goodbye!

Gird yourself. Now, the sales pitch!! I love helping people with this issue of weight. Because I know all about it. I understand it. I’m living it! I’ve been dealing with it all my life. And now, I know first hand how powerful and successful the tools of hypnosis and NLP are in managing it, by quickly changing patterns and habits, changing thoughts, changing feelings, streamlining change in such natural, healthy ways that lets you feel good about yourself, your life, and your capabilities. I love it! Absolutely.

If you’re struggling with this issue, and have “tried everything,” (by the way, “try” = failure.) then perhaps it’s time to stop trying and start doing. Hypnosis is a fantastic way of doing change! It’s not “talk therapy,” it’s action therapy. If you’re serious about getting yourself on that right path, the one you want and deserve, I can help. Call me! All my contact info is here:
http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/contact.html.
This is what I do, and I’m damn good at it!

Hiding behind the bag

Now, I’m going to put myself out there and show a “fat picture” to the world. Here’s a pic of me from a few years ago, pre-hypnosis, and here’s me a few days ago, trying on my “pirate vixen” Halloween costume. As they say, the camera don’t lie!

Halloween Costume 2009!

Warm Regards,

Connie

Tags: health, Hypnosis, NLP, weight loss
Posted in Hypnosis | 1 Comment »

It’s cold and flu season (but not for me!)

October 23rd, 2009

Hi, guys! Who watches television? (Raising my own hand, but only half way.) I hardly watch at all any more, because the quality of “what’s on” is going down, down, down, and my time for leisure is going down as well. That’s a good thing, but that’s also another topic. This one is:

Dramatic pause. Negative suggestions.

Colds and Flu

Watching TV this past week, I can’t help but notice the BOMBARDMENT of ads right now, commercials for cold & flu medicines and paraphernalia. Here’s the message: “It’s cold and flu season.” and that means “You’re going to get sick., you can expect to get sick.” I also notice that the stores are stocking the aisles with cold and flu medicines and products–prominent and in-your-face, on the end caps and special displays, with alarming banners warning that cold and flu season is here! Same message: “It’s time for you to get sick now! You’re going to get sick now.” It’s not a warning, per se, it’s a directive! It’s a negative suggestion. And our minds seem quite willing to embrace it without question!

Michael has a story he likes. He was in a work training with a woman. She told this story: She knew that every year she would have one bout of illness per cold and flu season, one only. The reason she’d only have one was because she’d prepare for it, and take massive doses of vitamins. She knew that she’d only get sick once! Her vitamins would protect her from further illness! And yes, it did transpire that she’d only get sick once per winter/season. BUT…one winter she got so busy and forgot to prepare with her vitamins, didn’t think about it at all. Guess what? She didn’t get sick that winter. Not once. Not at all. She forgot to get sick!!

Here’s a personal story about my personal experiences. This is NOT medical advice, because…I’m not medical. I’m a hypnotist. And here’s one positive side effect I enjoy from my hypnosis. Your mileage may vary.

I don’t get sick, either. Ever. Because I’ve decided not to. I USED to get sick, just like everyone else. Two major colds a year. At LEAST two. Until I discovered hypnosis and how the mind processes ideas and suggestions three+ years ago. Three years, and I haven’t been sick. Not a sniffle. I did have food poisoning for one day (some bad shrimp on a Vegas buffet), but it ended quite quickly. I don’t get sick because my unconscious mind rejects the idea, and does what it needs to do to make sure I stay well–strengthening my immune system, or whatever it wants to do. I can happily trust my unconscious to keep me well, and ignore those nitty gritty details as well. I don’t care how. I just know it’s in place. Wellness. I can hang around sick people, avoid hand sanitizer, ignore those commercials and product displays, no flu shot for me, and stay well. Three years and counting…

Hypnosis is incredibly powerful. And our understanding is just a miniscule slice of that giant cake. There’s so much more to know and learn. The unconscious mind knows how to keep us healthy. I talk to the mind in ways it likes, to do just that!

What do you suppose would happen if you decided to stay well this winter?

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: health, Hypnosis, power of the mind, suggestion, wellness
Posted in Hypnosis | 2 Comments »

“I don’t believe it!”

October 20th, 2009

I made some different categories of “blog topics” here. This one is a MUSING! Not necessarily amusing. A musing.

Bellevue College Continuing Education Courses

I offer adult continuing education courses at Bellevue College, and last night was Part I of my “Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Through Self-Hypnosis” course. Fun stuff!! Hands on, minds on, very experiential. We had a great turnout of interested parties (except one, story to follow) and they went deeply into hypnotic trance, several times, and got to experience and learn a LOT in a short amount of time. What is hypnosis, how does the mind work, what is the conscious mind, what is the unconscious mind, what is the truth vs. the myths of hypnosis, how can we use hypnosis to make personal change, what is a well formed goal…and more! LOTS of good stuff.

We all made and played with pendulums, learning more about the mind-body connection, and about the best language for communication with the unconscious. My class is heavy on participatory exercises and demos. Experiences. You learn more by experiencing trance, than just hearing it described. Which provides a better understanding, hearing about the taste of a ripe peach, or eating one, riding a bicycle, or reading about balance? It was a trance-filled evening. People were “into” it and loving it, and so was I. One of my goals in the world is promoting hypnosis and making people aware of it’s power and possibility. And that seemed to be going well…

However, there was one girl in my class who apparently wasn’t listening. Or, listening, but not believing. Have you ever seen a little kid sticking their fingers in their ears and chanting: “I don’t hear you, I don’t hear you, I don’t hear you…” This girl’s attitude was just like that. She interrupted the course, deep into the lecture to announce: “I don’t believe it. Any of it! I don’t believe in hypnosis.” She HAD gone into trance, but was denying the experience to herself. She was challenging me to “prove it” and “convince her” that “hypnosis is real.” She announced that she really didn’t want to be there, and was just taking the course for a credit. Convince her? No can do. This isn’t about mind control, this is about sharing cool things I know and offering experiences to those that are open to them. At that moment in time, she wasn’t open to learning. Nor was I going to direct my energies to changing her.

I don't hear you!

I KNOW the power of hypnosis and how it has improved my life a thousand-fold. And I see and experience daily how it’s helping my clients and students to live more fully and enjoyably, and change in ways they want to change, ways that make sense for their lives. It’s about expanding the realms of human potential and human excellence. It’s about accellerated learning. It’s about connection with the deepest and best parts of ourselves. How do I communicate that to someone with their fingers stuck in their ears? I can’t.

If you’re here, reading this blog, your ears are open! Your mind is open! And I appreciate that! I appreciate your openness to learn more. I hope I can be a good representative for this thing called hypnosis. I’m still learning, as well. One thing is deep, deep, deeply true. I love it!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Musings | 1 Comment »

Michael, Master of the Mind!

October 19th, 2009

Michael Brannan, Master Hypnotist

Yesterday, Michael put on a comedy stage hypnosis show for hypnosis students, enthusiasts, and professionals. It was FANTASTIC. We’re talkin’ FUN! Entertaining, and fascinating! He’s GOOD! He had zombies dancing, losing body parts, finding body parts, a girl miscounting her fingers, forgetting her name, remembering her name, forgetting her name,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p22YVEZclg

a top secret agent answering her ringing shoe, magic x-ray glasses revealing people in their underwear, and all manner of good clean hypnotic fun.

I see London I see France...

Zombie Walk

If you’ve ever seen a stage hypnosis show, it’s an entertainment like no other. Volunteers are guided to trance and then led to experience all manner of hypnotic phenemona in amusing skits, such as I’ve described above. Amnesia. Hallucinations, both positive hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there, hearing things that aren’t there, smelling things that aren’t there, and so on…) and negative hallucinations (not seeing things that ARE there). Body catalepsy. (Inability to move certain muscle groups, such as an arm or the eyes.) Post hypnotic suggestions. (Engaging in a behavior outside trance triggered by something communicated during trance.) Very cool to see AND experience! It’s performance, it’s art, and ethical performers such as Michael are respectful and never embarass anyone.

Michael and I have both been trained and certified as Professional Stage Hypnotists. Stage hypnosis is fun stuff. It ain’t therapy. Nor is it intended to be. As I said, it’s FUN! Fun that makes people smile and feel good, and laugh. Why not?

Some hypnotherapists look down on stage hypnosis as frivolous and providing a myth-filled, skewed, and erroneous view of hypnosis as mind control, and some stage hypnotists look down on hypnotherapists as unskilled with no professional standards of training and excellence. And no business sense. Both are right, and both are wrong. Personally, I LOVE stage hypnosis. It has value. It has it’s time and its place and its purpose. Entertainment is a good thing. As is education. (Think Mr. Wizard for science!)

I do both, and I love both, clinical hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis. No conflict in my mind! As I mention in my personal story about my journey to a life and career and joy in hypnosis, stage hypnosis was my first intro. I believe it is for a lot of people!

Michael, “Master of the Mind,” and I will be putting on more shows in the future. If you’d like to join in on this unique experience, keep your eyes on this space and also on http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net for coming announcements. If you’d like to arrange a private show for your group or place of business, call us! We can do that, too! We’re also in the process of putting together a youtube video of some of the highlights from yesterday. Also keep your eyes here for that link!

Update: Here is the video link to a skit involving “amnesia dust.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p22YVEZclg

Here’s another video: the walk of the dreaded ZOMBIES!!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: amnesia, catalepsy, hallucination, Hypnosis, stage hypnosis
Posted in Hypnosis | 3 Comments »

Just say “No!” to Spam

October 15th, 2009

Hey, guys! This is in the nature of an announcement. Lately, someone is “spoofing” several of my business email addresses. That means, the email appears to come from me, and has a return address which is mine, but does not originate with me. So…if you get an email which appears to be from Mindworks Hypnosis or Seattle NLP Training with some intriguing title and you open it and inside is a sexy nurse in low cut top selling VIAGRA—IT’S NOT FROM ME! Delete! Delete! Delete!

No Spam is Good Spam!

By the way! I can and do help with some sexual dysfunction issues with the work I do, without putting drugs in your body. I’ve had good success with that, primarily with men, but with women, too–when the cause is emotional/mental and not organic. Of course the first step in anything like this is consult your medical professional. If he/she rules out physical causes, suggests that they can’t help you beyond giving you drugs, tells you “it’s all in your mind,” guess what? I can help. Of course it’s all in your mind. The mind controls the body. It’s simply another pattern of experience running in you, and patterns can be changed. Easily! For more info. on that and other services I provide, check out:

http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/services.html. Or you can call me for a free consult! I love to help people get more enjoyment out of life, and intimacy is a huge part of that.

Warm Regards,
Connie

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

Samurai Mind Training for Modern American Warriors

October 14th, 2009

Ninja

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1920753,00.html

Interesting article! I notice they do not use the word “hypnosis” anywhere at all in this—but it IS hypnosis.

“The importance of the mind-body connection is being acknowledged at the highest levels of the military. The West Point-based Army Center for Enhanced Performance (ACEP), draws on performance psychology to teach soldiers how to build confidence, set goals and channel their energy…”

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

Mirror Box

October 13th, 2009

Mirror Box

I was watching TV the other night–I don’t watch much at all anymore–but I still like “House,” that medical drama. Melodrama, really. Quite a bizarre, yet entertaining show! The episode the other night featured a “Mirror Box.”

A Mirror Box is a real thing. It’s very cool, and it’s something I was trained in the use of just a couple months ago. See the pic. I was at an Advanced Mastery NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) training.

The box is used to help people with phantom limb pain. Through accident or disease or what have you, the person has lost a limb. Yet it still hurts. Sometimes incapacitatingly. This technique relieves that pain. It also helps restore mobility in limbs to stroke patients.

Now, “House” is a strange show as I said, and as a character, he shows a very eccentric and non-nurturing approach to medicine. On the show, House kidnaps and basically tortures someone to “help” him with the mirror box and phantom limb pain.

In spite of this, I’m pleased that the “mirror box” got featured on the show. Shows how change takes no time at all–with an understanding of how the mind works!

Warm Regards,
Connie

Tags: Mirror Box, NLP, Phantom Limb Pain
Posted in NLP | No Comments »

What you focus on expands

October 12th, 2009

One of the key things I do in my hypnotherapy practice is help people find choices. More choices than they had hitherto seen! And key to that is the idea of being “at cause” in the world rather than “at effect.” I help shift people from victim mode (things happen to me) to creator mode (I make things happen that I desire). It’s incredibly powerful.

Before change can happen, whether it be habit changes like fingernail biting or smoking cessation, or self image shifts, belief shifts, positive changes of many and any varieties, this inner shift has to happen. At cause: My life is how I make it. I control events. And it’s getting better all the time. At effect: I’m stuck, bad things happen to me, I’m just “unlucky,” and there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s the difference between feeling (and thus being) weak, and being empowered.

When I successfully made this shift, I changed my whole life. New body, new career, new joy. It’s a worthwhile transition!

One of my friends and early hypnosis/NLP teachers, Skip Carson, helped me to do just that. Shift my mindset. Here’s what he said:

Creating Your Own Reality By Choice Is The Truth.

You Choose Exactly How You Want Your Reality To Be.
Whether You Believe It Or Not, It Still Is How It Works.

The More You Dicover Who You Are The More You Realize The Limitlessness Of Choices Available, And The Unbounded Possibilities That Exist.

Choose That Which Brings You The Deepest Experience Of Gratitude And Love.

Life Is Yours To Create The Way You Wish, Better Make It Something You Enjoy.

Look Within Yourself – How Much Joy Can You Stand?

What You Focus On Expands.

What Do You Want More Of?

I encourage you to look at Skips musings, above, and adopt them as your own as you are able. Because…he’s right. Absolutely right! I printed those out, attached them to my computer monitor where they remained for about a year and studied them daily, thought about them, and absorbed them. Do you likewise!

Stay turned for one of my upcoming “Monthly Trance” newsletters, you can sign up at http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net, where I cover this topic in more detail and offer one or two useful exercises to actually help you make this shift of mind.

Warm Regards,

Connie

Tags: Hypnosis, NLP
Posted in Musings | No Comments »

The Hypnotizer – Connie’s Hypnosis Blog!

October 12th, 2009

Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist

Welcome to my blog! This is the place where I’ll discuss hypnosis and NLP with you, and answer questions, and tell stories, make announcements of upcoming events and sing and dance and generally amuse myself and you (hopefully). I LOVE hypnosis. It’s my life, my passion. My six year old cousin has dubbed me “The Hypnotizer” and you know what? I like that! So, the Hypnotizer I shall be!

Posted in Hypnosis | No Comments »

The Hypnotizer

Disney Hypnosis, Age Regression, and “Feelin’ good for no reason.”

Spring!

Design Human Engineering

Fear not

Candy Hallucinations…or, it’s all licorice!

How I discovered Hypnosis!

“Too Stimulating”

Podcasts – Coming Soon!

“New Year, New You! Managing Your Weight Through Hypnosis”

Explore!: Healing and Hypnosis

World Hypnotism Day!

Just for Fun

Hollyweird

More Musings About Weight Loss

Hypnowheel in the sky

Reminder: My Self Hypnosis Course for BC happens tomorrow, 11/30!

Vegas Hypno Training

Confidence Booster – Michael’s Tirade

Why Halloween is for Hypnotists

Cleaning out the closets

It’s cold and flu season (but not for me!)

“I don’t believe it!”

Michael, Master of the Mind!

Just say “No!” to Spam

Samurai Mind Training for Modern American Warriors

Mirror Box

What you focus on expands

The Hypnotizer – Connie’s Hypnosis Blog!

Archives

Categories

Blogroll

Meta