Where better place to begin dipping into past lives than in a taster session with Belper hypnotherapist, Brenda Harte.
Five perfect strangers meet at the Park Side address and begin by lying on mattresses in rows. The group is then gently taken on a magical mental journey of relaxation until they are all at ease almost to the point of sleep.
Then it's off on a trip through history to see if any past lives, times or faces present themselves.
It was at least a more unusual way to spend a Wednesday evening and more therapeutic than watching the latest episode of The Apprentice.

Debbie's view

Disappointingly Napoleon and Cleopatra did not feature in my past life experience but I found myself to be a rather sad poor Welsh peasant called Edwin, with a large family to feed and one pig called Gwen to do it with.
I was however reassured by Brenda that this is normal and most of us were just average people in our past lives just as we are today.
Of the five individuals taking part in the three hour session, two enthusiasts got the most out of it going back into various past lives and investigating who they used to be and how they died.
Speaking about our experiences afterwards it was clear that some people were more willing to accept the images thrown up by their sub-conscience as a past reality while others found the experience to be an exercise in creativity and imagination.
I certainly think if you are looking for ways to solve current problems in this life then it is worth giving regression a go.
Brenda has used hypnotherapy techniques to help individuals work through relationship issues, addiction and phobias. She describes it as a process for learning about yourself. She said: "It's a way to find out why you are the way you are."

Sarah's view

I believe in everything that is weird, wonderful and paranormal, even that Derek Acora is genuine. So when I was given the chance to be regressed into a past life I couldn't wait to find out what lucky soul had the pleasure of being me in years gone by.
Relaxing on a mattress in Brenda's living room, I am willing to let any images from a former life appear in my mind.
Led by Brenda's voice we dip into different centuries on our own imaginary cloud to see what periods in history, if any, we had a previous life in.
This began with a visit to 1900, but it seems I didn't exist during that time. The next date was 1100, but I wasn't alive during that period either, nor did I seem to have existed in two further dates that were mentioned.
As my subconscious fails to do its job and allow images to appear in my mind from years gone by, it gets to the point where I start to create them. In the end I have invented Annabel, a French nurse who worked in a hospital in the early 1900s.
Though I am convinced that I have completely made Annabel up, Brenda assured me that it could still be part of the regression process and it may just feel like I'm making it up. I'm not convinced and sense that the images may come from recent experiences, such as conversations you've had with people at work, or films you've seen.
However, on speaking to the more enthusiastic members of the group I discover that their past lived came to them as clear as day, no effort required. Though coincidently the two with the most precise recollections were both horrifically murdered in a previous life.
Reflecting on my regression experience, I believe that there is some truth in the regression process. However, I think it is different for everybody taking part.
If you genuinely believe that you have had a past life before you've even started, then the chances are that you will come out of it fulfilled, and even more convinced that you really were Mary Antoinette or Dick Turpin in a former life.
Anybody wanting to find out more can contact Brenda on 01773 599034. Individual sessions cost £40.