Hypnobabies – Hypnosis … or Guided Imagery … or Meditation?
by Kerry Tuschhoff, HCHI, CHt, CI
They can all induce extremely beneficial, deeply relaxing and calming states of mind, and yet, the way each one is achieved and the benefits of each can be very different. It is important for us to understand the differences between these three modalities since all childbirth hypnosis methods may use one, two, or all of them in various ways.
- Meditation – with most forms of meditation, the goal is to clear your mind and think of nothing, or maintain focus on a single word or concept and be physically still (usually sitting straight up).
- Guided Imagery is more visually oriented as the person is guided through a visual journey for a specific purpose (such as relaxation, health, performance, emotional health) using all the senses: imagined sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste.
- Hypnosis is suggestion oriented: hypnosis creates and utilizes deeper “trance states” as well as specific words and phrases to affect a positive outcome by re-training the inner mind.
In more Depth: Meditation, Guided Imagery, and Hypnosis — How They Differ
Meditation
In meditation, some people may naturally drift into a light state of hypnosis, but it’s usually gentle and without the deepening techniques used in formal hypnosis. In meditation, your brain often remains in an alpha state — calm, alert, and open — while you focus on a mantra, your breath, or simply clearing your mind. The goal is often stillness, awareness, and presence.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery invites you into a lighter “trance state” than hypnosis, using soothing words, positive affirmations, and beautiful mental pictures to guide your thoughts. You might hear something like, “You are walking along a peaceful forest path, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, leading you to exactly where you want to be…”
It’s more free-flowing, and much depends on your own mind’s interpretation of the metaphors offered. You may be guided to imagine a certain scene or situation, then let your imagination gently unfold the rest of the story — almost like having a dream while you’re awake. Done well, guided imagery can be wonderfully relaxing and is often used for emotional healing, stress relief, and long-term well-being.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis goes deeper. It is an altered state of consciousness — a focused, receptive awareness where both your conscious and subconscious minds work together. With hypnosis, there is a specific purpose: to create change. Using gentle deepening techniques, direct suggestions, and clear goals, hypnosis helps your subconscious mind become more open to new, helpful ideas.
In this state, your conscious mind relaxes while your subconscious mind becomes highly focused, attentive, and ready to accept positive changes. It’s a bit like updating your inner “software” so your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors work in harmony with what you truly want.
According to hypnotherapist Dr. Tim Brunson of the International Hypnosis Research Institute,
“In general, guided imagery without the advantages of a deeply hypnotic process is a weaker alternative. The mind…and body…resist change. We see the effects of this when after New Year’s Day we still date checks with the previous year. Once any pattern, such as a habit, has been established, it naturally resists change. Therefore, although the ideas, concepts, and intentions presented during a guided imagery can be wonderful, unless a pattern’s resistance to change is eliminated, it will be less effective. When resistance is reduced, any suggestion given – provided that it is not contrary to the subject’s will, ethics, or morals – will be quickly accepted. Of course, suggestions can be given through the use of guided imagery, however, suggestions are much more quickly internalized and efficient in a deep state of hypnosis.”
How is Hypnobabies hypnosis different from meditation and guided imagery?
The difference is in the depth and purpose of the experience. Hypnobabies uses a very deep form of hypnosis — somnambulism. It is so deep, in fact, that it must be practiced in a completely supported position, such as lying down or reclining in a cozy chair or sofa, with your head and body fully supported. This allows every muscle to relax completely while your mind becomes wonderfully focused.
Instead of clearing the mind, as in meditation, or following along with a gentle story, as in guided imagery, Hypnobabies fills your inner mind with powerful hypnotic deepening techniques and very specific hypnosis directives designed to create an easier, more comfortable pregnancy and birth.
By practicing these during pregnancy, you are literally re-training your perceptions from the inside out — creating positive, automatic responses in your body during childbirth through the use of post-hypnotic suggestions. These cues allow our Hypnobabies students to experience physical comfort, deep relaxation, and a calm, confident mindset throughout birth.
When learned, practiced, and used as directed, this powerful hypnobirthing approach can help most birthing people enjoy a much easier, more comfortable, and more empowering childbirth experience.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis FAQs!
Questions? Email us at Info@Hypnobabies.com – we are always happy to help!
💗 And … We offer Supportive Savings: YOU too deserve a more peaceful, empowering birth — and Hypnobabies can help! Enjoy 25% OFF all hypnobirthing courses, Hypno-doula Training, Hypno-Fertility Program, Laid-Back Breastfeeding Video Course, all individual hypnosis tracks, and sets at Hypnobabies Academy.
Use code myhypnobirth25-off at checkout 🎁
