What is self-hypnosis?

Today, more and more people practice self-hypnosis even in the comforts of their own home. Although this can be accomplished, it is best to do with someone who has knowledge or background on the practice. To learn more about self-hypnosis, research must be done before actually trying it or performing it at home. Research on self-hypnosis can be done by using the Internet and looking for online sites that offer information on the subject. With just one click on any search engine, thousands of references may show up on the screen. Look for those sites that will bring you to what you want to know about hypnosis so you won't have to waste a lot of time.

Aside from doing online research, you can also get information from a variety of books and magazines. There are actually a lot of health magazines that come up with features on self-hypnosis because they believe it can greatly help the overall well being of a person. If you know people who have been doing self-hypnosis, you can also ask them for some pointers on how to start with it and how to make it easier for you.

One good way of learning about self-hypnosis is knowing how it began or where it originated so you will have a better understanding of the practice. There are many people who are considered pioneers when it comes to self-hypnosis. Many of them influenced the art and helped form what it is today. One example is the Scottish physician and surgeon named James Braid who claims to have discovered self-hypnosis or hypnotism in 1894. After discovering it, he first taught it to several students before actually trying it himself. His theory of self-hypnosis says that "feeling is the very truth" once you tried to use it when dealing with physical or emotional problems.

At the start of 20th century, Émile Coué had his theory on self-hypnosis as well. Many say that he is an important figure when it comes to the subsequent development of the practice. He came up with the theory on "conscious autosuggestion" which eventually became renowned around the world for being an effective self-help system. His detachment from the concept of the usual “hypnosis" was passed to his followers, such as Charles Baudouin, who is one of the pioneers of modern hypnotherapists.

German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz also became a well-known figure in the field of hypnosis when he developed "autogenic training". This specific training is designed for relaxation and was brought to the public’s awareness when it was first published way back in the year 1932. Schultz’s influence in this approach was fellow German hypnotist named Oskar Vogt.

Hypnotherapist and early behavior therapist Andrew Salter also contributed a lot to self-hypnosis when he published his first major academic journal on self-hypnosis that talked about the three techniques of autohypnosis in 1841involving "autohypnosis by post-hypnotic suggestion", "autohypnosis by memorized trance instructions," and "fractional autohypnosis".

Who can be helped from self-hypnosis?

Experts say that when used or practiced correctly, self-hypnosis can benefit everybody. This is everybody who experiences different levels of stress and those who require motivation for personal development, or to increase performance in strenuous activities such as sports. Self-hypnosis can also be used for extensive modern hypnotherapy which can be done through a learned routine or through listening to a CD where the routine is recorded.