Active-Alert Hypnosis: How Movement Enhances Trance and Relaxation
“Yoooouuuuu are getting veeeeery sleeeeepy….”
Many people associate that kind of direction, along with a swinging pocket watch, with the state of hypnosis. In fact, clinical hypnosis is often very relaxing.
People get comfortable, close their eyes, and may appear to be napping even though they are awake. On the outside, they look drowsy, but on the inside, they are having a lively mental experience.
But not everyone gets physically relaxed during hypnosis. The opposite can be true: people can be active and alert during hypnosis. This description often applies to children, who (for better or worse) do not always sit still when adults expect them to.
Aside from formal techniques, children often move during hypnosis, whether petting a stuffed animal, drawing, moving around the room to point out different objects, or just bouncing in their seats. Parents sometimes feel that they need to apologize for a child not sitting still, but the movement can be very helpful.
Active-Alert Hypnosis
“Active-alert hypnosis” was first formally studied at Stanford University’s Laboratory of Hypnosis Research. Study subjects at the lab typically entered hypnotic states while riding stationary bikes and then continued to pedal during the entire hypnotic experience.
Active-alert hypnosis has been found to have the same EEG (brain wave) pattern as more traditional relaxation hypnosis. Both kinds of hypnosis also have the same effects on visual imagery, memory, and physical responses, including a decrease in pain.
So, what are the differences between active and relaxed hypnosis? With active hypnosis, people tend to feel more engaged in the process. They are also more likely to report positive and joyful emotions, have a feeling of freshness, and might even appreciate music differently. They also do not feel the same fatigue as when they exercise in a “normal” state, feeling that they quickly catch a “second wind.” Pedaling speed may increase by 32%!
Many likely go into trance-like states while doing rhythmic activities like running, riding bikes, swinging, and swimming. Perhaps you have noticed this experience yourself or when observing your children.
Imaginary Active-Alert Hypnosis
How can active-alert hypnosis be used in an office setting? It might help to have a stationary bike, treadmill, or rocker in the room. But it can even be done without equipment and with people who might be physically injured or unwell. This is called the “imaginary active-alert hypnosis” technique. It does not involve actual pedaling but includes suggestions for imagined movements. From the outside, this approach may look like traditional relaxation hypnosis and, in some ways, is a merger of the two.
There does not need to be any conflict between movement and hypnosis, and they may even enhance each other.
