Unique Event Combines Yoga and Self-Hypnosis

Event on January 8 combines health and healing benefits of yoga with positive visualization.  Photo: Quickmedical.com

People who strive for improved heart health typically engage in aerobic exercise such as running, biking or walking.  Can the addition of yoga with its stretching exercises, controlled breathing and relaxation techniques also keep the heart in shape?

This article published by Best Health Magazine explores that very issue.  The author dissects how yoga improves a person’s ability to manage blood pressure, inflammation and other health factors that contribute to heart disease.

Interested in learning more?

I have partnered with Kelly Davis who runs a social group called DC Fitness, Empowerment and Support to host a unique event on Thursday, January 8 at 6 PM in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  Entitled New Year, New You: Yoga & Self Hypnosis for Exceptional Wellness, Health & Living, it combines the physical and spiritual well-being of yoga with the positive visualization process.

The event is metro accessible and best of all there is absolutely no cost to attend.  All you need to do is join this meet-up group and register to attend.

New Year, New You: Yoga & Self Hypnosis for Exceptional Wellness, Health & Living

Village of Friendship Heights Community Center

4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD   

Thursday, January 8, 2015

6 PM to 8 PM

Metro:  Red Line (Friendship Heights station)

Register Here: http://www.meetup.com/DC-Fitness-Empowerment-Support-Group/events/219270315/

Hypnosis Helps Mary Lou Retton Vault to Olympic Gold

Gymnast Mary Lou Retton used hypnosis to prepare for Olympic success in 1984.

Growing up a fan of nearly all sports in the 1980s was an exciting time.

 

There was the magic of Diego Maradona, the star soccer player who propelled Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986.  Watching his “hand of god” goal live was a thrill I will always remember.

On the basketball court, players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson owned the headlines.  For me, growing up in the Washington, DC area, I was star struck by the University of Maryland’s Len Bias.  His reverse dunk against North Carolina is forever etched in my imagination.

And then there was the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the first international competition I recall watching with friends and family.  Although I was never a huge fan of gymnastics, it was impossible to not be enthralled by the athleticism, competitive spirit and achievement of Mary Lou Retton.

I suspect her five medals and glowing personality inspired millions of girls in the United States to adopt the sport.

So, it was very cool to come across a dated report from Time magazine about how Mary Lou Retton turned to hypnosis as a tool to prepare for Olympic competition and block pain in her injured right foot.

During the past few years, I have spoken to and worked with a myriad of high school and college athletes about how positive visualization can help enhance performance, increase stamina and facilitate injury recovery.  I’ve included below links to a few of the articles I have written for this blog.

Although hypnosis and visualization is unable to make an athlete a gold medal winner, it does accelerate their own natural talent and help them prepare mentally for success.

Hypnosis Helps a Newly Minted College Athlete

Hypnosis Sharpens an Athlete’s Mindset for Recovery

Tween Athletes:  Is Hypnosis Beneficial?

3 Great Reads About Helpful Hypnosis

During the initial 15 minutes of my Hypnotic Experience show, I provide an informative and entertaining overview of what hypnosis is and its practical applications.

My content is sourced from my own use of visualization as a tool for health and wellness, the experience teaching self-hypnosis and what I read in the mainstream media.  It’s for this reason that I am always on the lookout for interesting articles about hypnosis and how it is perceived.

Included below are links to three articles I have recently come across that I wanted to share.  Each provides credible insight into our ability to harness and direct the mind to achieve meaningful outcomes.   

Hypnosis as therapy for anxiety, stress

Fox News (2.6.14)

While it's strongly linked to the psycho-sciences, hypnosis is gaining popularity in broader mind-body arenas as well. In fact, one Harvard study found that patients who underwent hypnosis during surgery had fewer complications and required shorter procedures and less post-op medication .
Meanwhile, celebrities including Matt Damon, Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, and Fergie have all been cited as using hypnotherapy for one reason or another: to stop smoking, improve focus, and lose weight.

Probing question:  does hypnosis work?
Penn State News (3.18.14)

The hypnotized person is not sleeping or unconscious—quite the contrary. Hypnosis (most often induced by a hypnotherapist's verbal guidance, not a swinging pocket watch) creates a hyper-attentive and hyper-responsive mental state, in which the subject's subconscious mind is highly open to suggestion.

Hypnosis extends restorative slow-wave sleep, research shows
Science Daily (6.2.14)

In a study that has now been published in the scientific journal "Sleep," researchers have demonstrated that hypnosis has a positive impact on the quality of sleep, to a surprising extent. "It opens up new, promising opportunities for improving the quality of sleep without drugs," says biopsychologist Björn Rasch who heads the study at the Psychological Institute of the University of Zurich in conjunction with the "Sleep and Learning" project.

Accountability and the Slaying of a 16-Year-Old

An article in the Washington Post on Wednesday carried a jarring headline, “Mother says bullying led to slain 16-year-old son’s depression, drug use.”

The story of Woodbridge Senior High School’s Brenden Wilson is indeed sad.  Once a promising student, athlete and ROTC cadet, his life ended this past Monday when he was shot down on a wooded path near his school in what police speculate was a failed drug deal.

According to his mother and other family members, Brenden fell into a dangerous spiral when he struggled to maintain his weight.  This led to insults from his peers at school which forced him to find escape in truancy, drug use and criminal activity.

“He (Brenden) took on a new personality to camouflage the wounds from old taunts that never healed,” his mother told the Washington Post.  “He was hurting…to dull it, Brenden turned to marijuana.  Marijuana is a gateway to trouble.  They need to educate these teens.”

So…there you have it…in rapid fire succession Brenden’s mother is quick to focus the blame on his classmates and the school’s administration for failing her son.  They are the reason why he was a teenage drug user and thug.  Brenden is the victim here.

I agree Brenden is a victim and the loss of life at such an early age is tragic.

Yet, this is the path he chose.  Every one of us deals with pressure, stress, anxiety, adversity, conflict and tension – in our personal relationships, career, school and athletic pursuits.  It starts early.  In fact, I see its adverse impact on my elementary-aged sons.

The majority of people develop healthy and productive strategies to manage their environment.  We rely on those around us for guidance and support, but (ultimately) decide for ourselves how to live.

“When you smoke, you are getting involved with a group of dangerous people,” said Brittni Wilson, Brenden’s sister.  “You are putting yourself in a dangerous position every day.”

I have empathy for the loss his family now experiences.  No parent should ever have to bury a child.

The blame here rests with Brenden though.  Accountability demands it.

I take on a tough issue in this blog about the murder of 16-year-old Brenden Wilson.  Photo source: InsideNova.com

Holiday Party Hypnosis - Unexpected Good Time

Two years ago their party featured a tarot card reader.  Last year it was fortune teller.  How about his year?  They went with a hypnotist and I was fortunate to be the chosen one.

The Walters understand for a holiday party to be truly memorable the entertainment must engaging, fun, appropriate and…yes…unexpected.

Here are a couple of observations from my performance last Saturday of the Hypnotic Experience:

1. Entertaining in a person’s home demands a high level of flexibility.  The acoustics are often a challenge.  There is typically little room to move around.  And the environment is loaded up with distractions.  You have to roll with it and make the best of the situation, which is something I pride myself on. 

2. The number one priority is to make sure the guests have an enjoyable time.  That’s why the suggestions I incorporate in my hypnosis show are designed to demonstrate creativity.  Plus, you have to sense the vibe in the crowd and know when to wrap it up.  

The Walters’ party was attended by young professionals who were long-standing friends and colleagues.  For that reason, I kept the show at a crisp 45 minutes with plenty of funny anecdotes.

3. And finally, it is so important to celebrate the unexpected.  The Walters’ family dog was quickly unnerved by my use of a microphone.  Rather than pushing it or requesting the dog be sequestered in a room, I ditched the mic and made due.  Again, performing at a party is about the host and guests.

So, how did the show go?  

Admittedly, the hypnosis was light as I only had four volunteers.  (One dropped because she was distracted by the water pump in the fish tank behind her.)  Yet, it was a success as indicated by the nice note the hosts sent me the next day:

"Thank you again for your performance yesterday evening!  David and I personally thought it was great and several of our guests gave us positive feedback as well. We loved the demonstration and the opportunity to learn a little more about hypnosis in general.  Take care and we wish you all the best in your future gigs!"

Kristen and David Walters

I am now in the process of scheduling holiday parties in December – both corporate and private I encourage you to consider a hypnotist and contact me at m.russell.hausman at gmail.com.

I promise an unexpected good time!