Thinking happens in our conscious mind. Our conscious mind uses reasoning, logic and analytical thinking. It gives us the ability to negotiate our everyday lives, to think about the past and the future, to make plans, to ruminate and to reminisce.

The ‘subconscious’ mind refers to the many complex brain structures that operate behind the scenes of our everyday awareness.

These structures store the memory of everything that we have ever learnt or experienced throughout our lives.

These memories shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Our subconscious mind stores all the talents and skills we have mastered throughout our lives.

It also stores the unwanted habits, thoughts and emotional responses that we have learnt along the way.

he ‘unconscious mind’ (sometimes referred to as the ‘primitive’ or ‘reptilian’ brain)

(i) monitors and regulates all the systems of our body such as digestion, breathing, blood pressure, hunger and libido (the parasympathetic nervous system).

(ii) governs our automatic/habitual responses and reactions. These responses - both physical & emotional - operate with a lightning quick speed that bypasses our conscious mind, for example our 'fight or flight’ response to stress or danger.

The science of neuroplasticity recognises that we are able to change the 'programming' of our subconscious brain.

Our brain has the ability to change and adapt through both direct and indirect experience, including mental rehearsal and visualization .

Hypnosis uses the power of our imagination to create those experiences.

Mind Rehearsal is based on the principle that our brain cannot distinguish between what is real or what is imagined. When we mentally rehearse a successful outcome, our brain creates and strengthens appropriate neural path­ways (memory circuitry) to achieve it.

This happens because the brain now has a memory that it thinks is real.

Our brain is stimulated to fire up new neural pathways whether we are physically experiencing something, or mentally rehearsing and imagining it.

For example when we watch a horror movie our body reacts with a physical stress response by increasing our heart rate and releasing adrenalin.  When we watch a ‘feel good’ movie we For example when we watch a horror movie our body reacts with a physical stress response by increasing our heart rate and releasing adrenalin.  

When we watch a ‘feel good’ movie our brain triggers the release of neurotransmitters and hormones  which are associated with happiness and pleasure.

Even though we consciously know the movie is not real our brain fires the same neurons, which stimulate the same neurochemicals, which fire the same muscles in the body as if we were actually living through the experience. 

In the same way, when we mind rehearse, or visualise, thoughts and actions that are targeted towards achieving our goals the brain circuitry that is required to help us make healthier choices, or to get out of bed and go for that walk grows and strengthens. 

When we rehearse imagining ourselves acting, thinking, feeling, behaving as if we have already achieved our goals we are building neural pathways that will strengthen our resolve  and maximise our success.

Athletes use mind rehearsal as ‘mental workout’ to imagine all the steps and mind-set for peak performance.

Musicians can practice their instrument by imagining the position of their fingers as they play notes and chord formations.

Public speakers can imagine speaking in front of a group feeling calm, relaxed and appreciated.

Students can imagine themselves taking an exam while feeling relaxed and focused with good access to memory. 

Hypnosis can harness this power of your imagination to create the changes you would like to see in your life.