The Isis Centre

How to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Of the many diverse issues and problems that are presented to any hypnotherapist or NLP Practitioner, one condition stands out as one of the most common concerns: STRESS!

We’ve all felt it. You know, those times when it all just seems too much. We doubt our ability to cope with what life has dished up. Yet, how do we know we are stressed?

Here are some of the symptoms:

Not sleeping well, eating less or more than normal, digestive problems - indigestion or bloating, feeling anxious or jumpy, or feeling low or down.

Of course, these symptoms seem to add to our burden of feeling over loaded. What can we do to help ourselves? Here are my 7 tried and tested steps:

1. Put things in perspective
Ask yourself what is it about this situation that will really matter in 5 years time? Work out what’s important and concentrate on that. Let go of what isn’t crucial.

2. Clear the clutter
If your surroundings appear chaotic that can rub off on your mind and you won’t see clearly how you can help yourself. The simple act of clearing your space seems to miraculously clear your mind.

3. Organise yourself
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount you have to do - STOP! Take stock. Ask yourself:
a) What exactly needs to be done?
b) What is more important?
c) What could I manage without if I had to?
Then look at your list and place things in order of importance.

4. TAKE ACTION!
Don’t allow problems to build up, they become a burden and weigh heavily in the back of your mind. Instead decide what action you can take to begin to ease your load. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins and ends with just one step.

5. Say that little word (No!)
If you find it hard to say ‘no’ practise in low key situations first. You may feel selfish not helping someone out or acquiescing to their demands, but there are times when it is more important to look after yourself and your own needs. It’s what I call being ‘healthily selfish’.

6. Take time out
Take at least 10 minutes to just unwind. Here’s how:
a) Select a relaxing or inspiring piece of music to play
b) Lie on a blanket on the floor (not your bed, as you might fall asleep!)
c) Concentrate your attention on your breathing, and take several slightly deeper breaths. Imagine breathing out all your unnecessary tension with each out breath.
d) Begin to relax each set of muscles, starting with your toes and gradually working your way up your body to your head.
e) Mentally repeat the mantra: ‘I am relaxed’. Don’t try to relax, rather just let relaxation take over.

7. Have fun!
Do something to divert your attention from your troubles. It can be temping to drink excessive amounts of alcohol when you are stressed, but in reality it just makes your situation seem worse. Instead go see a funny or uplifting movie. Enrol in a belly dancing or jive class, or go and see your favourite band.

I hope you find my 7 steps helpful. Let me know! You can comment at the bottom of this article. I’d love to hear from you!

All the best, Christina

More and more people are choosing hypnotherapy training and Neuro Linguistic Programming NLP courses as a career move.
How to Choose the Right Course
When you first started looking into Hypnotherapy Training Courses, perhaps you were amazed by the vast array of potential choice? It can be a mammoth task sorting your way through the Good, the Bad and the Just Plain Ugly! You start scrolling down through the information and go into a trance…’I’ll decide later you say’ feeling dazed and confused.

Almost every day potential course delegates pose queries to me and express their concerns. The following guide grew out of the common concerns and desires that most people have. Don’t book your course until you’ve read my
TOP 10 TIPS!

1. APPROVED & ACCREDITED
Ensure that the hypnotherapy course has been externally accredited and approved, preferably by one of the independent hypnotherapy bodies set up to ensure that standards prevail in the profession. The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council, The Hypnotherapy Association and The Hypnotherapy Society all require high standards. They set criteria such as course content and class room and study hours.

2. ESTABLISHED COURSE
Many hypnosis schools come and go and you don’t want the course folding half way through your training! Find out how long the course has been running.

3. COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING
If you want to become a professional hypnotherapist, does the course cover everything you need in order to set yourself up in practice? Some courses just focus on smoking cessation or weight loss and don’t address the myriad issues that are presented to a practising hypnotherapist.

4. CLASS SIZE
Some courses cram as many students as they can into a classroom. Are you just one of the crowd? Will the tutor be too remote to answer any questions you have? If you’re one of 50 or even 100 students, do you think you will get the support and feedback that you need?

5. COURSE CONTENT
Are the study modules carefully designed to ensure maximum comprehension of the theories presented and written by professional, practising hypnotherapists? Are the subjects then covered by more modern teaching methods such as presentation, demonstration, examples and practise or are you subjected to a boring lecture? Are the subjects covered wide ranging to include Positive Psychotherapy methods as well?

6. FREE RESOURCES
Is the main Hypnotherapy Coursebook included in the price of your training? Do you have Free Membership to a resource library so that you can develop your learning fully? Hypnotherapy text books can be very expensive and if you are expected to pay for several, it can be an added cost that you hadn’t reckoned for.

7. POST-GRADUATE SUPPORT
Does the training school offer good post-graduate support? Starting out in practise can be daunting experience and you want to know that you can count on your trainers to give you advice when you need it. In addition, you will want to choose a school that offers Hypnotherapy Masterclasses so that you can continue to develop and grow in your skills.

8. FRIENDLY HELPFUL STAFF
First impressions count. It’s important to feel looked after right from the word ‘GO’. If the training establishment has a motivated team of staff then your calls, emails and requests for information will be responded to promptly.

9. COURSE FEES
Price. Does the course seem good value for money? Remember, price does not necessarily correspond to value. Does it seem either very expensive or too cheap? Take a good look at what you’re actually getting on the course and ask yourself if it fulfils all your needs.

10. ACCESS TO COURSE TRAINERS
And finally, wouldn’t it be great if you could have a conversation with your tutors before you actually commit yourself. Have those questions that are really important to you answered personally. Here at Isis you can, because we recognise the value of making informed decisions.

Did you find this guide helpful? If you did, please click on comments below and let us know what you think.

More and more people are choosing hypnotherapy training and Neuro Linguistic Programming NLP courses as a career move. Hypnotherapy, which combines hypnosis and NLP, is fast becoming the most popular way to heal the past and create the future you want. Powerful life changes can be made in relatively few sessions with a professional hypnotherapist. Our Diploma in Integrated Hypnotherapy provides a comprehensive course covering all aspects of hypnosis and NLP as well as psychotherapy, life coaching and counselling skills. Do you have what it takes to learn hypnotherapy and NLP? Would you like to earn good money doing a job you love? For myself, I find hypnotherapy to be the most rewarding and satisfying career. Seeing each individual client make such positive changes in their lives and observing each student of hypnotherapy grow in skill and confidence is exceptionally gratifying. We certainly intend to continue to provide top quality hypnotherapy, NLP and hypnotherapy training for 2008. Do you have some questions about training in hypnotherapy and NLP? Give me a call on 0800 458 4791. I look forward to hearing from you.
Christina

We have now been providing top quality hypnotherapy training and Neuro Linguistic Programming NLP courses for over 10 years. During this time hundreds of people have completed their training in hypnotherapy and NLP & hypnosis and have become very successful hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners providing the public with professional, ethical and effective hypnotherapy and NLP. Hypnotherapy, which combines hypnosis and NLP, is becoming more and more popular and good hypnotherapists are highly sought after. Our Diploma in Integrated Hypnotherapy provides a comprehensive course covering all aspects of hypnosis and NLP as well as psychotherapy, life coaching and counselling skills. For myself, I find hypnotherapy to be the most rewarding and satisfying career. Seeing each individual client make such positive changes in their lives and observing each student of hypnotherapy grow in skill and confidence is exceptionally gratifying. It’s nearly the end of this year and I look back and feel pleased with the way The Isis Centre is going from strength to strength. We certainly hope to continue to provide quality hypnotherapy, NLP and hypnotherapy training for another 10 years! On that note, I would like to wish all our clients, students and graduates a Healthy, Wealthy and Happy 2008!
Christina

I had not played tennis for something like at least 18 months. Last week I found myself on a tennis court and was really surprised at how I was nimbly and skilfully returning shots.

I am, no tennis pro and my level of expertise is decidedly average, but I was surprised how my body had remembered what to do. I can’t really put it any other way.

Sportspeople have called it ‘being in the zone’. I recall some years ago, acquiring some water colours and began painting one morning and didn’t stop until later that day. My attention and pleasure where focused unremittingly on applying and mixing colours, the smallest detail was an intense visceral delight. I felt so excited like flying without my feet leaving the ground. I have experienced similar when writing where there is a seemingly effortless flow of creative energy. For what seems like too brief periods of time the body, the thoughts and the feelings are acting in harmony.

What I hadn’t appreciated then was that I was experiencing what in hypnotherapy is called trance, which often is a delightful fixation of the attention. In this instance my eyes may have been open and so was my mind.

Any way, 30 odd minutes after playing tennis in my own personal ‘zone’ I accelerated to meet a ball which was dropping short. As I forced my body forward a severe sharp pain knifed at the point the lowest vertebrae meets the hip. Suffice to say I was very much from that point onwards in a different sort of ‘zone’. Four days later and I am still walking with the sort of stoop that ages you by a decade. One of the consequences being that I have made a good intention to take up regular stretching exercise. To ensure my good intention ends as a positive behaviour I also devised a simple and realisable plan.

I am reminded of the story of a Chinese farmer whose wife produced a son, all the neighbours came to his house and congratulated him on his good fortune, now he would have help with his labours. “Maybe” was the farmers reply. The son grew up strong and on his 16th Birthday was presented by the local Lord with a fine stallion. How fortunate your boy is said the neighbours, to receive such a quality animal. “Maybe” replied the farmer. The boy carefully learnt how to master the art of horse riding but a couple of months later the horse stumbled and the son was thrown to the ground breaking his leg. On hearing this the farmer received the commiserations of his neighbours on such bad luck, now his son would be unable to help him on the farm until a full season had turned. “Maybe” the farmer replied. It happened that 2 weeks later war broke out on the border of this territory and another and the local war lord came round to gather up the young men to fight. Because of the sons disability he was unable to. How lucky you are exclaimed the neighbours, because of his leg he will be spared potential death. As before the farmers reply was “maybe”. The leg subsequently healed.

Maybe, you can imagine how this story progresses.
Christopher Fish

A favourite story of mine is the one about the traveller who comes to the border of their country. As she gazes across the water to the other side, the land beyond, the ferry man is resting his craft against the bank. The traveller wanders over and enquires of him:
“What are the people like over there in that land?”
“Well” The ferry man replied. “What are the people like in the country you have been living?”
The traveller answers with a shrug of her shoulders and a grave tone.
“What are they like? They’re untrustworthy and two faced and will do anything to take advantage of you. They’ve never been any help to me and they never will be”.
“I think you will find” the ferry man said “that they are the same on the other side of the river.”
The traveller turned and trudged away.

Later that day another traveller came from the same direction and found herself at this spot and too asked the ferryman, what the people were like on the other side, again he asked what the people were like in the country she had just left.

“Why, they are friendly and sociable, people look out for each other.”
“I think you’ll find” replied the Ferryman “that they are the same on the other side”.

What I like about this story is that it illustrates to me on of the essential principles that inform hypnotherapy. The concept that we each carry within us an internal representation of reality. We don’t live in reality; we operate from our personal reality. This doesn’t preclude the fact that bad stuff happens out there - but how we respond and what we selectively perceive have most to do with our own internal representation of reality.

Try a little experiment:

Choose somebody you are going to meet for the first time socially or professional.

Before you meet them hold these three thoughts in your mind about them:

1. You have encountered and overcome many challenges in your life
2. You are looking for the best life can give you
3. You want to create positive relationships with others

As you meet them try and hold these basic beliefs in the back of your mind. Relate to them from these beliefs.

Now imagine holding the opposite opinions in your mind about someone you are meeting for the first time…How might things turn out differently?

Christopher Fish

An intriguing headline? Let me explain.

We’re all aware of the harmful effects of smoking on our personal health but do you know how the smoking habit affects the environment?

FACT 1 – Soil Depletion
Tobacco crops deplete the soil of large amounts of nutrients and production has trebled in developing countries where nearly three quarters of the world’s tobacco is grown.

FACT 2 – Pesticides
Because the tobacco crop is susceptible to disease, up to 16 applications of heavy, damaging pesticides are used in a 3 month growing cycle. They contaminate air, groundwater, rivers and lakes.

FACT 3 – People
There harsh chemicals are described as ‘extremely hazardous’ and take their toll on the health of the farmers who handle them – and with the production in developing countries, it’s the poor who suffer. In the production plants, the wet tobacco leaves, cause an illness in the workers called Green Tobacco Sickness which causes nausea, dizziness, cramps and fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure.

FACT 4 – Trees
One in eight trees worldwide is felled for tobacco production. The drying of tobacco involves cutting down trees to burn which causes deforestation. These are not being replaced sufficiently by the tobacco companies.

FACT 5 – Litter
Cigarette related litter is found in 77% of all locations across UK and in 2003, Coastal Clean Up Day found that cigarette litter accounted for nearly 30% of the rubbish on our beaches and in our rivers and streams.

Smoking is not only bad news for us, its bad news for our planet too.

THE GOOD NEWS!

Giving up smoking doesn’t just benefit you and your loved ones – you can have the added satisfaction of knowing that you’ll be doing your bit for the environment, too.

Hypnotherapy Works!

A study conducted by New Scientist proved that hypnosis was easily the most effective way of getting help to quit with at least a 70% success rate in their subjects. We, at Isis, go much further. Because we understand and address the psychological addiction to smoking as well as the physical using all the latest Hypnosis and NLP techniques as well as Cognitive and Behavioural techniques, we have over a 95% success rate on our Stop Smoking for Life Programme.. And when you compare that to the estimated 7% success rate of nicotine replacement products, doesn’t it make sense to choose hypnotherapy?

Need help to quit? Call the experts: 0800 458 4791

Sources

The Tobacco Atlas - Dr Judith Mackay, Dr Michael Eriksen & Dr Omar Shafey.

The World Health Organisation, Christina Aid, Keep Britain Tidy, Cancer Research UK and New Scientist.

Using NLP & Hypnosis to Stop Smoking

Well, it’s nearly upon us - that time when smoking in enclosed places is no longer acceptable. But when and how to stop? If you, or any of your loved ones, friends or clients are trying to quit, you’ll know that the dreaded cravings can get the better of good intentions. Hypnotherapy, one-to-one help that uses hypnosis and NLP, has proved, for thousands of people, to be the most effective way to stop - permanently. So, calling all smokers who want to stop: Get some quality help - you know you’re worth it! And definitely read my 10 Top Tips to see you through to success.

10 Top Tips to Help you Stop Smoking and Beat Cravings

• Decide on Specific Day to Quit Remember, there is never going to be a ‘perfect’ time when everything in your life is hunky dory. Stuff happens - often unpredictably. Set yourself the Big Day and stick to it.

• The Night Before the Big Day Destroy all remaining cigarettes and get rid of ash trays. Leave nothing lying around that reminds you of smoking. If someone else in your home smoke, tell them to do it out of sight for a while! Out of sight is out of mind. Well, nearly!

• On the Big Day Write a list of all the reasons why you want to be a non-smoker. Put copies of your list all around your home. Post-it notes are good for this.

• Distract Yourself Cravings only last up to 2 minutes at time. Try counting backwards from 100 in 7s or say the alphabet backwards until the craving passes.

• Phone a Friend If your will-power is wavering, call a friend for support and encouragement.

• Treat Your Senses You may have thought that you momentarily enjoyed smoking but you didn’t enjoy the effect it had – treat yourself to something by all means, but make it healthy. Try dates or grapes if you want something sweet. Bananas and avocadoes contain tryptophan, which your body converts to serotonin. This is the ‘happy’ hormone, which is often what we seek in cigaretttes

• Take Positive Action What have you been meaning to do but never got round to? Learning guitar, taking up belly-dancing or salsa, or playing golf or tennis all put you in a positive, healthy frame of mind and make you feel that life is worth living to the full.

• De-Stress When we’re under pressure we want to go for the ‘quick fix’. In the long run, though, we just make things worse. Give your lifestyle a bit of an overhaul. Cut out unnecessary tasks and replace them with leisure and relaxation time. Learn Self-Hypnosis or buy a hypnosis CD to release all your tension and feel more relaxed.

• Dream On Imagine a healthy, happy you just a little way into your future and imagine stepping into that image. See what you’ll see, hear what you’ll hear and feel how good it feels to be a contented non-smoker. Imagine yourself being more in control of your life. Think of a word or a phrase that represents this state and say it often throughout the day. Now, don’t you just love being in control?

And if you need a little help, call the experts: 01273 626644. Good Luck!
All the Best
Christina

Learning Hypnosis & NLP

It never ceases to delight and amaze me just what a positive experience it is to share the valuable skills of hypnosis and NLP with a new group of people.

We have just completed our April 2007 Hypnosis & NLP Course and here are some of the positive comments we received form the delegates:

“Totally inspiring, can’t wait to learn more in the future!” Vanessa Kreimeia, Mother

“Fantastic! An amazing experience which will stay with me for a long time.”Vikki Lake, Administrator

“An adventure worth while taking!”Arthur Foster, Therapist

“It was presented in a way to make it easy to understand and very enjoyable. I felt extremely uplifted and met some great people”Tracy Sadler, Director

I do hope you’ll join us soon!

Christina

The Chocolate Child & Other Tales

As a hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner I’m often asked whether I will work with children. It may surprise you to learn that children as young as four can suffer from panic attacks and it’s not uncommon for children of all ages to experience irrational fears and phobias, anxiety, lack of confidence and even eating disorders.

The Chocolate Child
Take, for example, the eight year old girl whose parents bought her to see me, who had eaten practically nothing other than chocolate all her life!

She arrived, a pretty and vivacious child, looking very healthy and apparently a completely normal girl. She loved ballet and was shortly going to take an exam.

So, why change things? Her parents explained that they were concerned about her long term health and that it was becoming increasingly awkward explaining to friends and family that she would eat nothing but chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Of course, working with children requires special training and skills. An eight year old’s world is a different place from an adult’s. Treatments for children require some creative ideas, inventive inductions and storytelling skills are a definite advantage!

Max is terrified of dogs - especially the little ones!

And what about the eleven year old boy, Max, who was so terrified of dogs that his parents had to coax him out of the house. Family outings would only be undertaken at venues where it was guaranteed there would not be a dog within eyesight.

The Gymnast and the Judo Champion

And then the ambitious thirteen year old gymnast and the nine year old Judo champion - both inhibited by performance anxiety.

Working with children can be very demanding but also incredibly rewarding. They are usually highly responsive and willing to change. I find it particularly satisfying to know that I have facilitated a positive change in one so young, knowing that they will go on to achieve their goal of being a normal, happy, healthy child - (or a Judo Champion!)

A Success Story

So, what became of the Chocolate Child? I’m pleased to say that she gradually learned to introduce a more diverse diet and is now eating burgers and chips with her friends. Her parents now want to bring her to see me to encourage her to eat vegetables!

Max is still wary of dogs and might cross the street if he doesn’t like the look of one, but he is now confidently walking to his new Secondary School with his friends.

So, I hope you enjoyed reading about these cases - let me know what you think - I’m always very happy to hear from you.

Bye for now, I’m off to discover what my next challenging case is.

Warm wishes

Christina