Kyle: Nail Biting

Cross-posted from kylemilleryoga.com

I am a chronic, psycho, lifelong nail biter. Actually, I was, up until a month ago. A good friend of mine, Ilan, learned to hypnotize and offered to give me a session. I never had any interest in being hypnotized or in really dealing with the whole nail-biting issue yet. But since he offered, I decided to go for it.

Being hypnotized is kind of like therapy. You talk about the issue and why you do it. Then he hypnotizes you. For me it felt like there was a black curtain drawn behind my eyes. One part of me was aware that I was in his office, that he was trying to hypnotize me, that I was trying to be a “good” client, but another part was deeply relaxed and very open to the what was happening. While hypnotized, we continued to talk about the issue…

When I came out of it, I felt very groggy and tired. My head hurt in a very subtle, kinda weird way but of course, I just shrugged it off. I was very unclear if it had worked or anything like that, but since I truly had no expectations for the session, I wasn’t too concerned. Cut to a month later and I have had no desire to bite my nails!! It’s a miracle! Thank you, Ilan!!

UPDATE: One year later, I haven't bit my nails once. My nails are long, healthy, and gorgeous, and I feel great about myself every time I look at them.

Sarah: Smoking

I had been a smoker for 10 years and had tried to quit many times, but nothing had worked. I came to hypnotism hopeful but somewhat skeptical. It was such a wonderful experience. I felt like I was floating on a peaceful sea, guided by Ilan's voice. Afterward I felt very calm, and confident enough to stick with quitting. I haven't smoked a cigarette since and feel great about myself. Thanks Ilan!

Lori: Late Night Binge Eating

I came to Ilan based on a referral from a friend who quit smoking with his help. My problem was a little different though. I was a little bit overweight. I could lose 15 pounds to be optimally healthy.

My specific problem is that several nights a week, I'd wake up in the middle of the night and half-consciously head to the refrigerator. I'd scarf a snack (usually something unhealthy like ice cream or heavy like leftover dinner) very fast, and then go back to bed. I knew it was terrible and unhealthy, but I couldn't control it.

I saw Ilan and over three sessions of hypnosis, I was able to identify the physical sensations and corresponding emotions (and some surprising memories that I thought had nothing to do with it) that were causing this behavior. He was supportive, understanding, and asked a lot of great questions that led to key insights, in hypnosis and out. He also gave me some quick self-hypnosis techniques to use in the evening before I go to bed, which were really helpful.

I'm writing this review 6 weeks after our last appointment, and I have lost 7 pounds without changing anything in my lifestyle except not waking up and snacking. I'm so glad I went in for hypnosis, and I feel that I've made a healthy, permanent change. I'd recommend hypnosis to anyone looking to change a behavior that's effecting their life negatively

Kate: Fear of Flying

I used to dread flying — I’d have to knock myself out with Xanax just to get through it!

When I found out my friend Ilan had become a hypnotist and helped some of our mutual friends quit smoking and biting their nails, I thought I might as well try it for my fear of flying. We did one session early in the morning. It was really easy and relaxing, just a pleasant experience overall and something I'd definitely like to do again.

I just got back from a trip to Paris (my first flights since hypnosis), and for the first time since I was a kid, flying was totally pleasant. It's pretty crazy that it worked, I can't really believe it myself! I am simply amazed at the transformation, and am so grateful that my vacations will no longer be bookended by dread. Thank you, Ilan.

UPDATE: I just took another flight, this time to the Bahamas (tough life, I know), and it was totally 100% fine. I read, napped, and chatted with my brother -- no Xanax and no anxiety at all.

Ari: Acting

I'm a professional actor, which means going on many, many auditions. A few months ago, I started having trouble focusing during my auditions. Even the slightest distraction became enormous: casting directors writing things down, directors shifting in their seats, producers whispering to each other. Any one of these things could throw me out of the scene and because of that, I wasn't able to act and react naturally with my reader.

After just one session with the wonderfully kind, impressively skilled Ilan Zechory, I developed an unbelievable ability to erase everyone else from my mind and rebuild the room exactly the way I wanted to see it, within seconds. In the couple of months since meeting with Ilan, I have been cast in two plays and had my network TV debut, and I think my newfound sense of focus and control has contributed greatly to that success.

Lynn - Emotional Reconciliation

I came into my first hypnosis session unhappy with the current state of a long-time friendship. During the emotional hour Ilan helped me to better articulate exactly why I was upset, and what I wanted say. The cathartic experience of getting all those feelings off my chest to an open and non-judgmental third party was the first step I needed to start mending my friendship.