What is the difference between Autogenic Training and hypnosis or self-hypnosis?
The origin of Autogenic Training is rooted in the study of hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation in which the client/patient is almost oblivious of his/her external environment and highly responsive to the hypnotists suggestions for behavioral changes. Hypnosis has many applications such as stopping smoking, losing weight, and pain control. In self-hypnosis, the deep state of relaxation is not induced by a hypnotist but by the individual himself/herself. The difference is gradual. Contrarily to the common misconception of hypnosis as a method somebody else applies to you, thus depriving you completely of control, all hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis. Without your subconscious or conscious permission, no hypnotist can induce a state of deep relaxation and work with your subconscious on your problems. Autogenic Training can be described as a form of light self-hypnosis. Both, Autogenic Training and (self-) hypnosis, share the notion that the resources and solutions for many
