Part of an article that appeared in the Times Chronicle
Kurt, a team management trainer from Maida Vale, had been smoking 20 a day for ten years. Despite quitting successfully several times, he always relapsed. Feeling he needed objective help, he turned to a hypnotist.
He said: “Initially, people are sceptical because they’ve seen hypnotists in entertainment. You don’t want to be taking all your clothes off and go running down the street whenever you hear a keyword.”
Far from the frivolous view we get of hypnotists on TV, Kurt encountered a highly professional approach with rigorous consultation procedure. There was 45 minutes spent discussing health, education, relationships and the reasons for wanting to quit, before the hypnotism got underway. The client lays back on a comfy chair, listening to relaxing music and visualises an idyllic scene with blue skies and golden beaches. Kurt said: “You picture yourself rowing a boat across a river, then at the other side you breathe in white light and breathe out all the negative dirty, smoky air. You reach a really relaxed state and your mind feels open. When a message is put in there it really sticks.”
Kurt’s first thought was well, that’s not going to work, but 18 months later his body is still a smokeless zone. He said: “On a chemical level nicotine is addictive, so it’s a battle between the brain and the body. There are always doubts that you will succeed, which the hypnotism removes. It’s mind over matter.”
Kurt attended the practice of Jonathan Conway.
