Matthew Smale

Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration at one with a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion. It is a non-addictive power for the good and is a natural manifestation of the mind at work. It is unfortunate that most people's first encounter of hypnosis is through watching television and stage hypnotists at work. This can lead people to believe that they may be controlled or manipulated or made to do something silly.

A good technical definition of hypnosis is: "A state of relaxation and concentration at one with a heightened awareness induced by suggestion". The word hypnosis is derived from the Greek word 'hypnos' meaning 'to sleep' but it is actually far from being asleep. By the time the early users of hypnosis realised this and tried to change the name, it had already stuck.