Hi
I am studying hypnosis, but so far haven't properly had the chance to practice (I've tried the odd time but haven't been successful)
I have read quite a few books on the subject, and I was wondering if anyone could give advice as to anything I'm missing/what I might be doing wrong?
I've read the following books:

• Hypnotism and Self-Hypnosis - Ralph Slater
  
• Hypnotism - Canon
  
• The truth about Hypnotism - Sidney Petrie with Robert B Stone
  
• The Science of Hypnotism - Young
  
• The Encyclopedia of Genuine Stage Hypnotism - Ormond McGill
  
• Reality Is Plastic - Anthony Jaquin
  
• Tricks of the Mind - Derren Brown (If you count it - there is a section on Hypnosis
  
• The Confessions of a Hypnotist - Jonathan Royle (I haven't finished reading this one)
  

So I have done a lot of research, and know lots of the theory around hypnosis. just I'm not getting success putting it into practice - I'm trying on fellow 16-year-olds at school, who have known me since I was 11 (before I got my interest in hypnosis) would that have an impact on success rates?

I was just wondering if anyone culd offer any advice?
Also, What are the laws/regulations with regards to Hypnosis in the UK - in what cases is it allowed on stage? do you need licenses? Is it allowed out of theatre without a license?
I'm not trying to start a debate here, just asking for informativer reasons - I'm pretty sure this fits within the rules for this forum

Thanks
Robert Soane

Trying on other 16 year olds who have known you since you were 11 is the first problem. They already know you as NOT a hypnotist and breaking past that can often be impossible.

Agreed. first rule of learning hypnosis is to get proper training. Second rule is to never try hypnosis on family and friends as you are learning. You, like many other newbies art literally setting yourself up for failure. Reading a few books does not make one a hypnotist.

Proper training will teach you what you need to know, give you the opportunity to practice and apply hypnosis in a proper setting and give you more real world, hands-on instruction to assist you and prevent you from doing things wrong or incorrectly.

The biggest problem from learning hypnosis by books, is content is often up to the reader's interpretation. I've seen it more times than not, that they then begin to apply what they think they've read or studied and are making drastic mistakes and preventative actions. However, they do not know or realize it and therefore keep proceeding and doing this incorrectly which will continue to work against them and prevent the desired outcome.

Thanks guys.

Where do you recommend I get training?
I understand that some of the big names in the UK such as Martin Taylor learnt from books, as I believe did Derren Brown initially (not too sure about Derren, but pretty sure about Martin)
I know that obviously they then went on to take proper training, but is it possible to teach yourself the basics from books, or is it likely that they are hiding stuff from us?
also how much does training cost? and can you recommend anywhere in the UK?

Yes, it is very possible to learn from books and DVD's, IMO. That is how I did it. I have never gone on a training course ( although I would like to one day). This hasn't stopped me from hypnotising people for paid performances, coupled with other marketing endeavors in hypnosis.

Assuming it is possible to learn through books only (I'm on a budget of about £30/month - not much for hypnosis seminars) is there any other advice you can offer?
Also, are there any other books you'd recommend?

Thanks
Robert

PM'd you..

I guess it depends on the friends and family.
The first person I successfully hypnotised off-stage was my first mother-in-law. Then next, a whole stream of willing friends let me practice on them, with varying degrees of success. It taught me a lot.

Sent PM