Did you know that all hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis? That’s right, during a hypnosis session, the hypnotherapist acts more as a guide, helping you stay aligned and focused on your goals. Before diving into the world of self-hypnosis, let’s first take a quick look at what hypnosis is and how it works.

Hypnosis is an altered state of mind that can be achieved through techniques like deep breathing, desensitization, progressive relaxation, and deepeners. These exercises help shift our brainwaves from beta (our usual waking state) to theta — or alpha during lighter states of hypnosis. In this state, our energetic vibration increases, our sensory perception becomes heightened, and we’re far more open to suggestion. Because hypnosis is an active form of meditation, this openness is essential as it’s what allows us to plant the seeds for real change.

In fact, entering a hypnotic state is easier and more common than you might think. You actually move through these states naturally every day  right before falling asleep and just as you’re waking up. These moments of transition bring you briefly into the theta state, which is a form of natural hypnosis.

But how do we consciously enter this trance-like state? The same exercises mentioned above can be practiced on your own without any practitioner required. You likely already know how to do deep breathing, and it’s not difficult to learn how to tune out background distractions or use progressive relaxation techniques. If you already practice meditation, yoga, or mindfulness, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of finding peace within your body. If not, no worries — it’s never too late to start.

If you’re curious about learning self-hypnosis, check out our Self-Hypnosis Starter Guide and Audio Track available in the store. This guide walks you step-by-step through calming the body and mind, offers tips and tricks to support your journey, and even includes a sample script you can record and listen to.

For those with a racing “monkey mind” or difficulty focusing, a practitioner or recorded script can be especially helpful. A guiding voice provides a point of focus for the analytical left brain, while the intuitive right brain eases into trance.