Letter of Thanks for the Hypnotic Experience

I donate my time to perform my comedy hypnosis show for high schools, colleges, community groups and charitable organizations.  The organizers and audiences are so appreciative, and, equally important, it’s the right thing to do.

Called “Hypnotic Experience,” the show is fun and family friendly with a message about the importance of positive thinking.  This is typically right in step with the philosophy and culture of educational and community-based organizations.

In January, I was the headline entertainer at an event hosted the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD.  The money from ticket sales to the show and a silent auction held at the event helped fund the school’s after prom party in May.

Shelton Mooney, the school’s assistant principal, who attended the show tweeted, “Great to see so many students, families, staff out for @mrussellhausman hypnotist show.  Highly recommend!”

You can read more about the show and check out a few additional comments from attendees on my blog at this link:

 Seneca Valley Gets Hypnotized for After Prom

This past week I received the letter below in the mail.  It’s a nice thank you from the PTSA and the Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation Committee.  Plus, the personal, hand written note was a special touch.

I plan to extend my commitment and donated time to schools in Montgomery County and Fairfax County when the new school year starts in the fall.  They do a wonderful job educating and it’s a true privilege to be able to help.

Helping make the After Prom party at Seneca Valley High School a reality!

Sleep Strategies Explored and Explained

During this recently completed academic year I spoke on campus at more than a dozen high schools and colleges in the Washington, DC area about hypnosis as a tool for health, wellness and exceptional living.

The students were great and consistently demonstrated a high level of interest in hypnosis.  One common theme though was how a myriad of kids at every school reported being consistently sleep deprived due to school, extra-curricular and work commitments.

With that in mind, I’d like to share this excellent article published by NBC News with tips about how to get to sleep.  Kids may not be able to increase the time allocated for rest, so it is incredibly important to make the sleep experience as productive as possible.

You can also find other good suggestions on my blog at these links:

Insomniac Turns to Hypnosis to Rediscover Sleep

Sleeping Well with Hypnosis

More on Sleeping Well with Hypnosis

How "Real" is Hypnosis?

Before and after one of my Hypnotic Experience shows I’m often asked by audience members if hypnosis is real.  Has the volunteer truly entered an alternate state of consciousness?  Or are they simply playing along with a suggestion?

It’s a fair question, and academic and medical researchers have yet to provide a definitive answer.  Here is a nice write-up of the findings of a recent study conducted at the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex.

Candidly, the conclusion reached through the study is a bit opaque and still leads much in doubt.

"This study does not tell us whether hypnotically suggested actions are genuinely involuntary, or whether it is the person's own experience of the action that changes,” said Peter Lush, one of the researchers. “However, our interpretation of the results is that hypnotically suggested involuntary actions are voluntary actions that are experienced as involuntary." 

So…how do I answer the question about the validity of hypnosis?

Hypnosis is as real as the volunteer wants it to be. 

Are they volunteers truly hypnotized?  Science remains unsure.

A Strange Face at Clarksburg High School

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of making a return trip to Clarksburg High School in Montgomery County, Maryland.   

I’ve established a great relationship with the school’s social studies department.  They had invited me to speak on campus a few months back to psychology students about hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.

Last week’s Clarksburg visit was all about fun.  The kids have worked hard all year and recently completed final projects.  I performed the version of my Hypnotic Experience show that I typically use at county fairs, community events and other family-oriented environments.

I attracted more than 30 volunteers and then had a number of kids stick around after the show to ask questions about hypnosis.  One student who participated in the show slipped back into hypnosis and demonstrated her creativity with one of my favorite suggestions.

It’s called the “wrong face disease” and it makes a simple photograph a rather entertaining experience.  Hypnotist Marc Savard who performs in Las Vegas is the master at using this suggestion in his show.

She is still hypnotized!  This student cannot resist the "wrong face disease" suggestion when asked to smile for a photo with the hypnotist and her friend.

Scenes from the Women Empower Expo

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of speaking at the Women Empower Expo in Washington, DC about the practice of hypnosis for health, wellness and exceptional living.

Admittedly, I was a bit intimidated leading up to the event.  For starters, the line-up of speakers was exceptional, and included prominent and accomplished experts in career development, fitness, self defense and professional motivation.

Second, the theme of the event (empowerment) was sure to attract attendees who have very much prioritized personal and professional success.

My expectation about the quality of speakers and attendees was spot on.  They were outstanding.

However, my apprehension quickly evaporated when I realized how much interest and engagement there was in hypnosis.  I attracted a great group of attendees to my talk and remained on-site for nearly an hour after its conclusion to answer questions.

I’ve included below a couple of photos from the Women Empower Expo I thought you’d enjoy. 

A number of life coaches and experts in alternative approaches to health were part of the Expo's Exhibit Hall.

This exhibitor promoted the practice of acupuncture for health and wellness.

Based in Bethesda, MD, Barker Adoption places new born and older children in loving situations.

Networking lounge afforded attendees an opportunity to learn more about each others.

High School Students Learn About Hypnosis

At the start of my talk I set a goal with the students.  It is simply to make this class period the most interesting, informative and entertaining one they attend all year.

Yes, this sets the bar high -- especially when you consider how exceptional the educators are in the Washington, DC area.  However, in the five years I have donated my time to serve as a guest speaker for high school and college psychology classes I’ve gotten darn good at delivering on the promise.

Last week I had the privilege of being on campus at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland.  I scored the speaking invite after being part of the entertainment at the school’s post prom event in April.  

What an amazing experience!  I spoke to more than 200 students who are enrolled in advanced placement or introduction to psychology, or who just had an interest in learning more about hypnosis as alternate state of consciousness.

My presentation includes a basic hypnotic induction for volunteers, along with a couple of simple suggestions designed to demonstrate the power and creativity of the subconscious mind.

I’ve included below a few photographs from my presentations.  Copyright on these images belongs to Good Counsel.  You can find more photos on the school’s Facebook page at this link.

Special thanks to Good Counsel’s Leslie Young, Colleen McNamara and Kara Riely for hosting me, as well as to Principal Thomas Campbell for all of the support.

In my introductory remarks I explain what hypnosis is and its popular applications.

Get focused!  This part of the hypnotic induction allows volunteers to block out distraction.

Deep and relaxed state of hypnosis achieved by many volunteers.

This photo illustrates different levels of hypnosis achieved by volunteers.

Sleep now!  I use a re-induction to demonstrate to the audience how a volunteer can quickly return to a hypnosis.

Giving a suggestion to a volunteer.

Freeze now!  A simple word turns volunteers into statues.

This volunteer responds to the suggestion that she is also a hypnotist with the power to entrance the audience.

Talking Comedy on Executive Leaders Radio

A few weeks back I was a guest on Executive Leaders Radio, a national program that seeks to discover the personal attributes it takes to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.  Questions focus on family life, education, mentoring and early career experiences.

The emphasis of my interview was the role comedy can play to achieve personal and professional fulfillment.  Much of my insight has been gleaned from my experience performing Hypnotic Experience to support schools, community groups and charitable organizations.

Comedy is not about telling jokes.  Rather, it is defined by two guiding principles: 1) establishing a connection with the audience; and 2) sharing entertaining anecdotes to convey a message.

I thought you’d find the interview of interest.  Click on the link below for the Webcast and then fast forward to 45 minutes and 25 seconds.

Executive Leaders Radio, interview with Marc Hausman