Post Show Chats - When Hypnosis Gets Personal

A show is about entertaining and informing.  Yet, one-on-one conversations afterwards are just as fun.

When embarking in comedy and entertainment as a hobby I quickly learned a few things.

--While it may be fairly easy to write original material, it is agonizing slow and cumbersome to create (and test) funny material.  Laughter is as much about timing, as it is content.

--Differentiation is paramount and you have to capture what makes your show unique in a single sentence or, at most, a paragraph.  From what I understand, it is comparable to a teaser pitch a writer (or director) makes to a movie studio. 

As I concepted my Hypnotic Experience show, I kept these principals close to mind and heart.  There are already a myriad of talented comedy stage hypnotists who are adept at transforming volunteers into the stars of the show, tapping into their creativity and imagination.

Yet, these Las Vegas style acts at some level reinforce the misconceptions about hypnosis.  There is often a vibe among many in the crowd that they would never give hypnosis a try.  That’s unfortunate.

So, I created a “fun and entertaining show about the power of positive visualization.”  That’s my teaser pitch.

I marry my penchant for storytelling and humor, with a frank discussion about hypnosis and its benefits as a tool for health, wellness and happiness.  I also incorporate a basic hypnotic induction with a series of visualizations that I perceive to be consistent with the expectations of the audience.

For instance, at a show for professionals or a high school psychology class I’ll focus on stress management and confidence building.  An after prom party or community festival gets some more entertaining visualizations, such as competing in an American Idol competition.

This brings me to last night and my performance for one of the most active social groups in the Washington, DC area.  I’ve been fortunate to strike up a relationship with the group’s organizer, who I have now partnered with on several events during the past two years.

Although a late season snow storm was approaching, it was a wonderful evening with an exceptional audience of about 50 people – smart, talented, accomplished and professional.  

The show went well, yet the highlight for me was the post performance Q&A.  This is when I have the chance to engage with audience members at a more personal level.

There were three types of conversations:

1. I don’t believe self-hypnosis could work for me, yet I’m intrigued and may want to give it a try.  It is absolutely OK to be a skeptic and I always try to set realistic expectations about hypnosis (i.e. it’s a process, not magic).  At the very least, you’ll find the experience to be comforting and relaxing.  That’s a good thing, right?

     

2.  I’d like to learn more about the hypnotic process and how it differs from other forms of meditation and stress management.  I encouraged a few of the guests to check out Hypnothoughts, an online community of hypnotists and practitioners.

3. When, where and how do you practice self-hypnosis, and what happened after you incorporated it into your life.  I’m happy to share my personal experience with and lessons learned from self-hypnosis.  I recognize it can serve as a good starting point.  Yet, I always remind people that ultimately it’s up to them to define the positive outcomes that will contribute to their happiness and well-being.

Why Business Leaders Turn to Meditation

In the past few weeks I have come across a number of exceptional articles in the mainstream media about the meaningful benefits derived from the practice of meditation.  Here’s a post I wrote that overviews a Fast Company article that explores what happens in the brain during meditation.

This morning I reviewed an article about how CEOs from companies like Ford, Tupperware, Salesforce and News Corp. employ meditation as a tool to facilitate decision-making.  It’s worth the read!

Hypnosis is simply a form of meditation.  In fact, the induction I use during my “Hypnotic Experience” show combines the basic principles of meditation with guided visualization.  It’s an enjoyable, relaxing and positive experience.

Meditate for More Profitable Decisions

Written by Zoe Kinias

A Good Path with Hypnotic Experience

It took six months of testing and practice, followed by more testing and more practice, followed by...well...you get the point...to develop my Hypnotic Experience show.

I wanted a fast-paced performance that combined comedy with a meaningful discussion about the power of positive visualization.  It had to be entertaining and informative, and relevant to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Plus, it was imperative to steer clear of the tired misconceptions and cliches that define Las Vegas style hypnosis shows.  While there is a place for that brand of entertainment in the market, my preference was to offer a truly unique experience that an audience would both enjoy and come away with ideas on how to fulfill the promise of exceptional living.

Hypnotic Experience remains a work in progress, yet I'm on the right path.  There have been stumbles along the way as I continually refine, however I typically receive heaps of positive feedback after each show.  Even my late night performance in April after a burlesque show resulted in one attendee imploring me to "keep doing what I am doing."

I have an exceptional schedule of shows lined up for the fall that I will announce in the coming weeks.  Several are return performances for event organizers who have hosted me the past.  For me, that's perhaps the ultimate compliment.

Others are new relationships who like the positive message of Hypnotic Experience and believe it will resonate with their audience.  I very much look forward to those as well!

One additional benefit of entertaining has been the improvement in my professional presentation skills. 

Yes...I have a full-time job that pays the mortgage and keeps my children well fed.  I'm now frequently asked to speak at industry conferences because of the timeliness of my topic (social media marketing) and my ability to deliver with passion and style.

Check out this video of the initial five minutes of a recent keynote I delivered at a tradeshow.  The story and its Jerry Maguire reference produced a healthy laugh from the crowd. 

Bravo for Burlesque

This past Saturday night represented quite a change of pace for me as an entertainer. 

I took the stage at a club in Georgetown – a trendy section of Washington, DC --  in follow-up to an accomplished, creative and…dare I write…sexy group of performers.

What was so sexy about them?

Let’s start with the names:  Kiki Allure, Mindi Mimosa, Private Tails and Crystal Swarovski.

Then, there is their style of dance - burlesque.  It is spirited, passionate and playfully pokes fun at societal norms.   

For instance, Crystal’s performance had a religious theme, yet it certainly was not something you will find at a church social.  

Yes, there is some nudity in burlesque.  It is not overt though.  It is merely a tool to heighten and differentiate the experience.

The show was hosted by Todd Lincoln, a Washington, DC based emcee and comedian.  He was great and did an effective job interacting with the crowd in between skits.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was an unusual interpretation of the male mid-life crisis from Stache.   Dressed as a clown, Stache took the audience through a range of emotions that, admittedly, I’ve experienced during the past few years.

A majority of the crowd hit the exit before I went on stage.  It was a combination of the late hour and a lack of understanding of what my “Hypnotic Experience” show is all about.

Regardless, those who remained enjoyed my performance and its focus on positive visualization to achieve success in life.  In fact, one of the attendees told me to “keep doing what I am doing.”

If given the opportunity, I’ll be back in Georgetown to support burlesque and will be sure to personally invite the community of people who have attended my shows.  Burlesque is a wonderful addition to the local art and entertainment community. 

Playful and entertaining with just a hint of sexiness.  That's burlesque.

     

Hypnotic Expectations for Health and Well Being

Pre-talk sets expectations about hypnosis.  New Year's Eve show at Capital Hilton.

I spend a fair amount of time in front of an audience.

Professionally, I run a social media marketing consultancy and am often invited to present at industry conferences and corporate events about digital communications.  During the past few weeks my speaking schedule has taken me from Orlando to Vancouver.

On occasion I also take a stab at stand-up comedy, typically at community festivals and fundraisers in the Washington, DC area.

And finally, there is my “Hypnotic Experience” show that focuses on the emotional and physical empowerment achieved through positive visualization and hypnosis.  I have an exciting set of performances lined up this month and in March.

Regardless of the topic or venue, I have come to understand a successful performance or presentation is  influenced by a single critical attribute:  audience expectations.

In my demonstration and teaching of hypnosis for well-being, the pre-talk is the most important component of a performance.  I define hypnosis.  I set aside the myriad of inaccurate perceptions.  And I hint at what's to come during the show.

The daunting challenge I face is the promise or prediction about the outcomes for a participant who gives hypnosis a try.  Yes...it can have rapid and meaningful impact that inspires a person to achieve positive change (i.e. stress management, more confidence and self-esteem, better sleep, injury recovery, more focus on the job, etc.).

More typical though is for the introduction to hypnosis to leave a person refreshed and relaxed, yet without a sustained impression.  Long-term change comes from the daily practice of self-hypnosis, which is something I teach in every session.

A single work-out at a gym doesn't produce ripped and toned muscles.  A single lap around the track isn't adequate preparation for a marathon.

It's the same with hypnosis.  It takes an ongoing commitment to truly realize the life shaping benefits. 

Big Visual Miss from I Am Modern

Inaccurate perceptions about hypnosis run wild.

Mind control…magic…Voodoo…mental trickier…I have heard it all.  It’s why I invest time prior to any performance or individual session on a pre-talk.  My goals are to establish a level of interest and comfort in the hypnotic process, and how it is a tool to help with emotional and physical well-being.

Yet, it’s hard to dispel the myths, especially when I unintentionally contribute to them.

A few months back I was asked by an editor at I Am Modern magazine to write an article about the benefits of hypnosis for their February 2013 “Health” issue.  She had heard about my “Hypnotic Experience” show after a performance I gave in November in partnership with Professionals in the City.

The resulting article published this past week has been well received.  In fact, I have already received a couple of inquiries from readers who are interested in learning more about the practice of hypnosis.

So, how what’s bad about the story? 

Check out the illustration the editors selected to accompany the article.  It plays to this nonsense stereotype that a hypnotist is a tuxedo clothed illusionist who yields magical powers of mind control.

Yuck!  This disastrous visual selection crushes the message of my article.

I encourage you to read the article, yet focus on the words.  And then read this piece entitled “Hypnosis Myths…Solved.”   It does a wonderful job of clearly explaining what hypnosis is and why it’s such a wonderfully powerful tool for positive change. 

The February issue of I Am Modern magazine includes my article on hypnosis.

Exploring Self-Hypnosis with DC Global Adventurers

“This was a great introduction to the group. Thank you Nejla for organizing this meet up. Thoroughly enjoyed it!”

Comment from an attendee

I have a life plan.  It is flexible.  It evolves and shifts.  It focuses on my physical, emotional and spiritual points of fulfillment – marriage, parenting, family, career, mentoring and caring for others.

“Hypnotic Experience” was born from this plan.  It’s what brought me to the Friendship Heights Village Center on Tuesday evening.

I was fortunate to have connected with Nejla Routsong who founded and directs an 1,100 person Meetup group called DC Global Adventurers.  Unlike other social groups that focus solely on single-centric activities (i.e. bar trivia, Karoke, etc.), Nejla creates unique and health-oriented events, such as nature retreats, meditation and yoga.

Together, Nejla and I co-hosted an event entitled “New Year, New You: How Self-Hypnosis Can Help You Say True to Your Resolutions.”  Sixteen members of the group braved a rainy, cold and unpleasant evening in Washington, DC to attend.

Here are a few initial observations from the two hour event:

1.  Consistent with past events I have hosted or participated in, the people who seek new approaches for improvement tend to already lead exceptional lives.  The group this evening was professionally oriented, altruistic and socially conscious.

Plus, it was a stunningly attractive group of people.  Different looks and different cultural backgrounds, yet I suspect each attendee is someone who is noticed when she enters a room.    

2.  Notice I wrote “she.”  That’s because 15 of the 16 participants were women.  Again, that is right in step with what I have found in my other group sessions. 

During my introductory remarks, I acknowledge that in my experience practicing and teaching hypnosis I have found that women put more pressure on themselves to be perfect in all aspects of their life.  This self-induced intensity can create stress-related issues and negative outcomes.

I wrote about this issue last year in a blog post I titled the “Impossibility of Perfection.”

3.  I do my best during the pre-talk to set realistic expectations about the hypnotic process, what it feels like to be hypnotized and anticipated outcomes.  Yet, there is often a sense of disappointment in the experience from some attendees when they realize it’s not magic.

Hypnosis is refreshing, relaxing and incredibly positive for most.  Yet, there’s no loss of self or time.

I now tackle this issue head on by encouraging each attendee to incorporate self-hypnosis into their daily routine for a two week period.  Will they achieve a more positive outlook?  Can they sleep better at night?  Display improved self-esteem?

You bet.  While the changes may be subtle, they are real and meaningful. 

Positive change is in each of us already and hypnosis is merely a tool to re-shape how we subconsciously view ourselves and the world around us.

When a person comes to this realization I feel a tremendous sense of fulfillment.  It’s all part of my life plan.

What Does It Feel Like to be Hypnotized?

The feeling of hypnosis is unique for each person.

One of my volunteers was surrounded by her friends who peppered her with questions.  What did it feel like?  Do you remember anything?  Are you sleepy?

I had just completed a performance of my "Hypnotic Experience" show at the Bradley Farm Haunted House festival and the volunteers continued to be the stars of the evening.  I watched as a few of them relayed to friends their experiences while hypnotized.

It's a frequent question I'm asked as well when people learn I am a hypnotist:  what does it feel like to be hypnotized?

Even having worked with hundreds of people during the past five years, it's a hard question to answer.  That's because hypnosis is very much a personal experience.

Yet, I just came across an article in the San Francisco Chronicle in which a young woman who practices self-hypnosis does an exceptional job of describing how she feels while hypnotized.  Here is a link and an excerpt:


Hypnosis is Akin to Intense Focus 

If you're reading a book and you're really into reading that book and the rest of the world sort of disappears, you don't realize how fast time is passing, someone could call your name and you don't hear - hypnosis is actually similar to that, but instead of focusing on the TV you're watching or the book you're reading or the project you're working on, you're focusing on what's going on inside your head and what's going on inside your body.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Hypnosis-is-akin-to-intense-focus-3975730.php#ixzz2DiUMad6D

If you're reading a book and you're really into reading that book and the rest of the world sort of disappears, you don't realize how fast time is passing, someone could call your name and you don't hear - hypnosis is actually similar to that, but instead of focusing on the TV you're watching or the book you're reading or the project you're working on, you're focusing on what's going on inside your head and what's going on inside your body.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Hypnosis-is-akin-to-intense-focus-3975730.php#ixzz2DiUMad6D

 

If you're reading a book and you're really into reading that book and the rest of the world sort of disappears, you don't realize how fast time is passing, someone could call your name and you don't hear - hypnosis is actually similar to that, but instead of focusing on the TV you're watching or the book you're reading or the project you're working on, you're focusing on what's going on inside your head and what's going on inside your body.

The Perfect Entertainment for this Year's Holiday Party

Next weekend I return to the stage with an appearance on both Friday and Saturday night at the Bradley Farm Haunted Mansion festival in Herndon, Virginia. 

Admission is $5 which gets you access to a scary (yet family friendly) haunted house and an impressive line-up of entertainment -- which includes a DJ, bands, magician, dance teams and me with my Hypnotic Experience show.  Plus, proceeds from the event benefit a not-for-profit organization that provides support to families that have experienced a crisis.

Performing at events, fundraisers, community festivals, high school homecoming and prom celebrations, and parties is a lot of fun.  It gives me an opportunity to share the wonderful benefits of hypnosis with a large group of people in a relaxed and entertaining environment.

It also helps me fulfill my desire to perform.  Yes...I've taken a stab at stand-up comedy and found it incredibly challenging, which is a nice way for me to write that I bombed.  It is a whole lot of work to be laugh out loud funny with all eyes in the room on you.

Rather than a traditional comedy club hypnosis show, my Hypnotic Experience is a demonstration of hypnosis for stress management, career achievement, health/well being and a bit of fun.  Think of it as hypnosis for physical and emotional well being presented in an entertaining fashion as I incorporate funny anecdotes and perhaps a joke or two.

If you are responsible for selecting entertainment for a holiday party (office or personal), community event or fundraiser, consider the following about hypnosis:



1.  It's unique and memorable

2.  The guests who want to participate are the stars of the show

3.  It is easy to organize, requires very little set up and can be scheduled around other activities and entertainment

4.  The content is very appropriate for a family-oriented environment

5.  Guests can capture photos and videos of the show, and then share them with family and friends (makes for wonderful memories)

I am here by Email at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com if you'd like to learn more.

Hypnosis is a crowd pleasing entertainment option.