Worthy In Every Way

Here is a question I am typically asked by an event organizer:  "Do you really only donate your time to perform your Hypnotic Experience show?

Yes...it's true.  I donate my time to entertain at events hosted by schools, community groups, and charitable organizations.  I also perform at private events.  Yet, rather than accepting payment, I ask the organizer to make a donation to their favorite charity.

Why am I so generous?

For starters, I am fortunate to have a "real job" that provides me the flexibility and stability to contribute my time and efforts to help worthy and meaningful organizations host a successful event.

Second, my reward is the kind words and wonderful feedback I often receive from appreciative event organizers, educators, and parents.  Here is a recent example from the team at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, who included my Hypnotic Experience show at their "Wellness Palooza" event.

 

Thank you so much, Marc!  What a great afternoon for all of us! Your message was fun, positive and powerful and we all enjoyed having you back on campus with us! 

As we begin our summer, I want you to know that we truly appreciate you! We are so  appreciative of the work you do and the time you spend with us. In no small part because of you and your message, our Palooza was everything we hoped it would be and more.  Our community is better because of you and we look forward to inviting you back next year.

With great warmth and appreciation,

Melissa, Rachel and Roz

The (Less Than) Hypnotic Song of the Cicada

The global pandemic created an academic year like no other for high school administrators, educators, parents, and students.  The resilience and fortitude demonstrated by everyone has been impressive and inspiring.

It's why I made it a priority to donate my time to entertain at events hosted by schools and the Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) that recognize the class of 2021.

Of course, flexibility has been an absolute must this year.  Many events have been held at outdoor venues because of COVID restrictions.  I've performed at a farm, an amusement park, a school's football stadium, and on the outfield grass of a baseball field.

An unexpected challenge I have faced when performing my Hypnotic Experience show has been the deafening roar of the cicadas in Brood X.  The Washington, DC area has been swarmed by billions of these insects and their mating call sounds like a train whistle.  It is also problematic when these awkward flyers buzz around volunteers during a hypnosis show.

Yet, like the students who I entertain at these events I too have persevered.  The feedback from event hosts has been positive.

A sincere thanks to the schools that have included me as part of the entertainment.  I look forward to the upcoming academic year and a return to normalcy.

 

Hypnotic Experience at Springbrook High School's event for its 2021 graduates.  Hosted outdoors on the baseball field.

 

 

Even with the song of the cicadas, these volunteers experienced a nice and relaxed state of hypnosis.

     

Rave Reviews for the Hypnotic Experience

 

Pre-show excitement!  Poolesville High School included the Hypnotic Experience at their senior event hosted at Calleva in Dickerson, MD.

Flexibility is paramount when it comes to performing my Hypnotic Experience for high schools during this year's Post Prom and All Night Graduation Party season.  With COVID health protocols to be followed and logistics constantly shifting, it is important to just roll with it.  The focus is always making sure the students have a wonderful time.

Thanks to the PTSAs at Magruder High School, Walter Johnson High School, and Poolesville High School for including me as part of the entertainment at their events this weekend.  It is amazing when I receive such positive feedback from a PTSA rep and event organizer.

  

I’m so sorry that I never got to chat with you at the event! Every time I came down there you were in the middle of a show.  The students LOVED your show! LOTS of rave reviews! Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

After 14 Months of the COVID Shut Down, the Hypnotic Experience Returns

A BIG thanks to the administration, teachers, and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Chantilly High School in northern Virginia for hosting my Hypnotic Experience show as part of the celebration of prom for seniors.

It was a more intimate event with social distancing and other health protocols.  Yet, everything came together, I had lots of wonderful volunteers, and, most important, the students had an amazing time.

Let's go from here!

I will donate my time during the next six weeks to perform at senior events hosted by these high schools in the Washington, DC area:

 

 

 

Damascus High School

Magruder High School

Walter Johnson High School

Poolesville High School 

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School

Fairfax High School

George Marshall High School

Springbrook High School

South County High School

Robinson Secondary School

No inflatables.  No mechanical bull.  No games.  It was only the Hypnotic Experience in the gym to allow for social distancing.

Let’s Get Hypnotized - Health Protocols for High School Post Prom and Graduation Celebrations

 

Students give hypnosis a try at Blair High School's Post Prom.

This time last year I was committed to entertain at 14 high school post prom and all night graduation parties in the Washington, DC area.  For the past 10 years I have donated my time to Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) as it is often a challenge to raise money to fund these fun (and important) events for graduating seniors.

Of course, the onset of the novel coronavirus led to the cancellation of those events.  And as the pandemic has dragged on, this year’s senior class has had to forfeit so many of the wonderful activities that are part of the high school experience.

Hope has arrived and things are starting to change! 

During the past few weeks, I have been contacted by six high school PTSAs that have begun to make plans for an end of year celebration for their seniors.  These events will require flexibility and a strict adherence to safety protocols, depending upon community conditions. 

Am I willing to donate my time to bring hypnotic fun to these events?  You bet!

I have confirmed to each PTSA that, if needed, I can keep volunteers six feet apart, while requiring masks for everyone (including me).  It will certainly create challenges.  Yet, it is a privilege for me to help provide graduates with a fun way to celebrate their senior year.

Thanks to the PTSA at each of these schools for including me:

Good Counsel High School

Magruder High School

Seneca Valley High School

Northwest High School

Fairfax High School

McLean High School

Chantilly High School

 

 

A hypnotized volunteer, Springbrook HS Post Prom

Be Mindful of “Mindfulness”

As a reader of this blog, you get that I am a big-time believer in the power of positive thinking to improve health and wellness, while creating an environment conducive to exceptional living.  That is an important message of my “Hypnotic Experience” show, which I perform at school-sponsored events, community festivals, and charitable fundraisers.

Hypnosis, guided meditation and mindfulness are all tools to help a person focus on the positive.  Yet, a group of medical professionals have expressed concern that “lots of people and organizations — many of which are well-meaning — have gotten overzealous as they make lots of money off of mindfulness therapies.”

Here is a link to an article that explains why it’s important to be diligent when evaluating the practice of mindfulness:

Psychologists Express Growing Concern with Mindfulness Meditation

Hypnosis and Mindfulness Intersect in Stress Mitigation

A new study organized by Baylor University has found that "mindful hypnotherapy" delivers a high level of stress mitigation and relief.

In this summary article about the study, Gary Elkins, Ph.D., director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, explains:

"Combining mindfulness and hypnotherapy in a single session is a novel intervention that may be equal to or better than existing treatments, with the advantage of being more time-effective, less daunting and easier to use.  This could be a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction."

As pandemic related stress levels continue to soar, I anticipate there will be continued evaluation of techniques and approaches that can be easily employed to improve health and wellness.