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| How would an older audience react to the Hypnotic Experience? |
I perform my “Hypnotic Experience” show for a mix of
audiences.
The group at the Bradley
Farm Haunted Mansion festival was comprised primarily of teens and
tweens. DC
Global Adventurers and Professionals
in the City put me in front of young adults. Georgetown
University’s Midnight Carnival brought together college freshmen and
sophomores.
Admittedly, I had become accustomed to a young-ish audience
and structured my material accordingly.
This past Tuesday found me in a unique situation as the
featured speaker at a meeting of the Woman’s
Club of McLean. I was asked to
introduce hypnosis as a tool for positive visualization, health and well being
to nearly 40 members, all of whom are most likely members in good standing of
the AARP.
Here are a few of my impressions from what turned out to be
a well received presentation:
--During my pre-talk, I related the benefits of hypnosis
(self-confidence, stress management, physical well-being, etc.) to the daily
challenges faced by this generation. I
cited a number of research
studies that have found a connection between stress and diminished quality
of life.
--I slowed the pace of my presentation to ensure the
audience followed along. My style is
often animated and (admittedly) a bit frantic.
My goal is to bring energy to a room, however in this case I recognized
the importance of clarity.
--A majority of the audience was quite skeptical and even
wary of hypnosis. Most did participate in
the visualization exercise (i.e. heavy/light hands), yet I only had three
volunteers.
--The hypnotic induction I employed was streamlined and
merely designed to bring about feelings of relaxation and confidence. I steered clear of using deepeners and demonstrating
the suggestibility that typically occurs in hypnosis.
--My three volunteers did share a positive view of hypnosis
with the audience during a brief Q&A after the induction.
Perhaps the highlight of the talk was when a volunteer
shared that she visualized being surrounded by clowns while in a state of
relaxation. For her, clowns represented
comfort and creativity. Others in the
audience acknowledged they find clowns terrifying.
This supports my belief the hypnotic experience is truly a
personal one.
