High School Hypnotized for Post Prom and All Night Grad

Rather than a stage show, I typically set up at a high school event and perform a series of mini-shows.  Here is my spot at Montgomery Blair High School's post prom party in 2015.

For the last few weeks I have been on a local college tour. 

I’m not exploring campuses with a high school-aged child, although that day will soon come.  Rather, I have spoken to psychology clubs at Georgetown University, George Washington University, Northern Virginia Community College and Montgomery College.

It has been a wonderful experience with an engaged and insightful group of students attending each show.  A perfect lead in to perhaps my most favorite time of the year – high school post prom and all night graduation party season.

From early April through late June I have the privilege of being part of the entertainment at events hosted by 14 schools in the Washington, DC area.  I’ve listed them below.

I never charge a fee to help at an event organized by a school.  They’re a lot of fun.  The kids are great.  And it’s a nice way for me to give back to the community.

A big thanks to the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at each of these schools for including me, as well as to Montgomery Project Prom/Graduation for all of its support.

If you are a PTSA representative organizing an event and want to chat about the Hypnotic Experience, I can be reached by Email at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com or by phone/text at (301) 538-8100.

-Albert Einstein High School

-Chantilly High School

-Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School

-Fairfax High School

-George C. Marshall High School

-Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

-Lake Braddock Secondary School

-Quince Orchard High School

-Rockville High School

-Sandy Spring Friends School

-Sherwood High School

-Springbrook High School

-Walter Johnson High School

How Real is the Hypnosis Scene in the Movie Get Out?

Hypnosis in Get Out - accurate or flawed?

The depiction of hypnosis in movies and television is typically comical and hopelessly flawed.  It creates the impression the practice of visualization is about ceding control and free will, rather than its true objective which is empowerment.

Consider the 1994 movie the Shadow.  A master criminal uses hypnosis to induce the heroine to attempt to commit murder.  Here’s a link to a YouTube clip.

The recently released Get Out has hypnosis woven into the story line.  Although I have yet to see the film, I’ve read the hypnotic induction method employed by the actress is factual. 

 

Here is a link to a Q&A with psychiatrist Paul Puri published by Yahoo Movies.  Puri does a nice job to explain what is true (and inaccurate) about how hypnosis is portrayed.        

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body - 2 Spring Shows

With spring comes emotional and spiritual renewal.  (Photo source: PGhealthandhealing.com)

As the frigid shiver of winter begins to subside, it’s time to think about the wonderful feeling of renewal that arrives with warmer days.  Spring presents the ideal time embrace the philosophy of “healthy mind, healthy body,” which, in my view, is the foundation of empowerment.

I have two Hypnotic Experience shows on the calendar that I encourage you to check out.  At each event, I’ll share easy to follow approaches you can use to ensure you are feeling (and looking) great in time for summer.

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Learn Self-Hypnosis for Wellness, Confidence, Success and Exceptional Living

Hosted by Professionals in the City

Tuesday, March 21 from 7 PM to 9 PM

Location: Buffalo Billiards, Dupont Circle, Washington DC

Learn More/Purchase Tickets:

http://www.prosinthecity.com/event/hypnosis-13715

Women Empower Expo

Saturday, May 27 (all day event, my talk is at 10:45 AM)

Location:  Washington DC Convention Center

Learn More/Purchase Tickets:

http://womenempowerexpo.com/washington

*Type in the code HYPNOSIS when purchasing a ticket for a $10 discount

Hypnotized on Stage - One Volunteer Shares the Experience

At times you meet people in life and it clicks.  You feel like you were meant to be friends

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That happened to me recently with someone who I met in a professional environment.  She is warm, friendly and engaging, with a wonderful sense of humor.

So…imagine how thrilled I was to learn that she had been hypnotized years ago on stage at the Maryland Renaissance Fair.  An entertainer named Hypno Bob puts on a comedy hypnosis show each year that draws positive reviews from the audience.

I sat down with my friend for a few minutes to talk about her experience being hypnotized on stage and to compare it to the self-hypnosis process.  Here is an overview of our conversation.

Q: Tell me about the hypnosis show at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

I attended the Festival when I was a child, so I made it a point to return as an adult.  I try to go to the event every year.

I had volunteered for Hypno Bob’s show two years in a row.  Through controlled breathing and relaxation exercises he gets volunteers into a focused state.  He then goes through a process of testing suggestibility; keeping certain people on stage for the duration of the show.  I remained on stage the second year I volunteered.

Q: What did it feel like to be hypnotized as part of show?

People assume hypnosis is like the scene in the move Office Space and you’re kind of knocked out.  That’s not the case.  I was aware of everything at all times and definitely relaxed.  It was easy for me to just go with the flow and follow Hypno Bob’s suggestions.  I felt in a better state of mind for the rest of the day.

Q: You’ve now tried hypnosis in a one-on-one setting.  What can you share about the experience?

Sounds just fade away and my mind became quiet.  I felt like I was on a beach in Hawaii.  Again, I was aware of everything, yet everything suggested felt like the right thing to do.

Bravo to these High Schoolers

My work as an entertainer puts me in front of hundreds of teenagers every year.

Each semester I speak at high schools in the Washington, DC area about hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness, and as a tool for positive and meaningful change.  I also entertain at after prom and all night graduation parties.  I’m signed on for 14 of these Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) organized events in the coming months.

Teens often get characterized by adults as moody, difficult and hard to reach.  I have received my share of flack from high school audiences.  You can read the biting criticism of my talk about this hypnosis in this blog post. 

Yet, for the most part I’ve found high school kids to be incredibly engaged and invested in their own health and happiness, as well as the well-being of their peers.  

The video below is an example of everything right about high school kids.  The athletes from both schools and the kids in the crowd should be recognized for their self-less support of a peer with special needs.