A Steamy Night for Self-Hypnosis

I offer event organizers three versions of Hypnotic Experience: 1) an entertaining, informative and instructive seminar to teach self-hypnosis; 2) a comedy oriented stage show for community festivals, fairs and parties; and 3) a more informal approach where I engage small groups of guests and attendees to demonstrate the power of visualization.

Each performance of my show presents a unique set of challenges – host expectations, venue, logistics, audience engagement and volunteer suggest-ability.

I practice what I preach and visualize a positive outcome prior to each show.  The incorporation of self-hypnosis into my pre-event preparations served me well this past week.

I maintain a relationship with a Washington, DC-based social organization called Professionals in the City.  Last year, I was one of the entertainers at the group’s New Year’s Eve party held at the Capital Hilton.  

That performance led to my teaming with Professionals in the City to organize and host an event on Thursday entitled “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: Learn Self-Hypnosis for Wellness, Confidence and Success.”

It was a steamy evening in the Georgetown neighborhood of the city with the temperature sniffing at 100 degrees, even though it was nearly 7 PM.  I arrived at the venue to learn that the facilities manager experienced a health issue and had to depart.  It was up to me and the two Professionals in the City staffers to prep the room for our 20 guests.

Challenge #1:  The facilities person neglected to share with us how the venue’s sound system worked.  Thankfully, I had my wireless microphone and speakers in the car, parked four blocks away.

Challenge #2:  After walking to the car and returning with the speakers, I realized I had mistakenly left the microphone in my trunk.  Back to the car I trudged in the sweltering heat.  By the time I began to set-up in front of the guests I was drenched with perspiration.

Challenge #3:  Thankfully, the venue’s air conditioner and fans kept the room cool.  Yet, the humming and whizzing of a dated system created a distraction for some of the attendees.  It only became an option to power the system down once the temperature outside chilled.

Despite these obstacles, the event was a big-time success.  It was a wonderful group of attendees who were accommodating of the situation.  They had come to learn about and experience hypnosis as a tool for wellness, yet also enjoyed my entertaining pre-talk.

Nearly all of the guests achieved a level of hypnosis with a few slipping into a deep and relaxing trance.  I employed two of my favorite visualizations – “healing waters” and “confidence” – which left the guests feeling energized and empowered.

As I personally thanked each guest at the conclusion of the evening, I was reminded why I am so lucky to be aligned with groups like Professionals in the City.  I have the opportunity to meet and interact with exceptional people.