Hypnosis is a way of helping people feel very relaxed and able to respond to suggestions and ideas that are going to help them.
It’s not the same as being asleep, as when you are asleep you are not aware of what’s going on around you. During hypnosis people usually say they are still aware of what’s going on around them, although this is very much in the ‘background’. It’s similar to when you have been absorbed in a book/music/TV programme, you know things are going on around you but you just don’t need to take any notice.
The most important thing is to always be aware of the hypnotist’s voice and meaning of the words.