Edmonton Journal Saturday, July 30, 2005 Page: H3 Section

Printed with permission from the author Meagan Kelly  (Journalist)

Mind only matters: Sit back, close your eyes, relax and forget the cheesy stuff about swinging watches and mantras - hypnotism is much more than that. The last time I did this, I ended up onstage clucking like a chicken. But this time, as Rosa Marrazzo, an Edmonton hypnotherapist, works her magic on me, it's much more relaxing -- and less embarrassing. "Imagine now a beautiful light shining from your heart. Some people can see it, some people can feel it, some people simply know it's there," she said. I'm told to imagine this "light" traveling to every part of my body, turning me into a warm and fuzzy blob of Jell-O. My mouth lolls open, but I'm so relaxed that I couldn't care less. We've all heard of or witnessed stage hypnosis, where unassuming goofballs dance like MC Hammer and imitate superheroes. But there's much more to the art of suggestion. Hypnotherapy, like stage hypnosis, claims to push aside the conscious mind and tap into the subconscious mind to get results. While the stage uses hypnosis for laughs, hypnotherapy uses it for help. "The power of the mind is incredible," says Marrazzo, who has been mesmerizing for nearly 15 years.

Among other things, hypnotherapy can be used to help with self-confidence, depression, anxiety, and even smoking addictions or weight problems, she says. There are no pocket watches, and contrary to popular belief you will walk out of the office knowing what went on. First, the hypnotherapist helps you get into a trance-like state, like when you are zoning out your nagging parents. When you are this relaxed, your conscious mind gets out of the way and your subconscious mind -- the part of your brain more in tune with your emotions, more open to suggestion -- takes over. Don't think that the process makes you a sitting duck for the hypnotherapist to mess with your mind. You are actually more aware, says Marrazzo, just in a different sense. "All forms of hypnosis are self-hypnosis," says Marrazzo, explaining she is merely there to help you reach a state of total relaxation where the problem can be addressed. If you are a nail-biter, she will help you to relax and then ask your subconscious mind why you bite your nails. And help you to tell your subconscious that the nail-biting ends now. It sounds a little Freudian and creepy to talk to your subconscious mind, but it's actually kind of neat.

During our mini-session, Marrazzo has me visualize a box while I'm under the hypnotic trance. I have to open the box and find something. In my box is a daisy, and Marrazzo says this is my subconscious telling me something. Perhaps something to do with beauty, she says. Judging by the daisy I can see, I seem to be pretty self-assured (I hope so at least), but Marrazzo says the biggest issue her clients face is lack of self-confidence. "Most of us focus on the negative, rather than the positive. For some reason we're hardest on ourselves ... I coach them back into that positive connection."

Kari Weisgerberg, a patient of Marrazzo, says not enough people are aware of how good someone can feel using hypnotherapy. "It's one of those untapped resources," she says. Weisgerberg, 33, mother of two young children, went to Marrazzo to help balance the chaos of a busy life and to shed some pounds. After three sessions, she says, her mindset changed and she felt herself becoming more organized. She also lost 15 pounds. Not bad, eh? 

For those of you afraid hypnotherapy will make your friends ask the hypnotherapist where they put you, Weisgerberg says not to worry. "It's a very subtle difference and I think that's part of the success. You don't feel like a different person," she says.

Although Marrazzo says hypnotherapy is not a replacement for the good old doctor, she says it is a good alternative when you're about to rip your hair out after trying everything.

Stage hypnotist Terrance B., who has seen his share of fools over 15 years of hypnotizing across Canada, says he gets many questions about the other side of hypnosis after his shows. However, he says most people who point and laugh at the goofballs under his spell are unaware of the power of the mind and hypnotherapy. "I think they need to know more about how it can help change their lives," he says. - - - Terrance B's last shows at this year's K-Days are 2:30 and 6 p.m. today.

Rosa Marrazzo can be contacted at 918-0524.