Photos from Halloween Hypnotic Experience Show

Last month I have the privilege of performing "Hypnotic Experience" at the Bradley Farm Haunted House.  It's a wonderful Halloween-inspired community event in Northern Virginia that benefits Herndon-Reston FISH, a charitable organize that provides support to families in crisis.

Here is a link to a recap of the Bradley Farm performances, which presented a couple of interesting challenges.

Included below are a couple of photos from the shows that Bradley Farm Haunted House just posted on its Facebook page.  I thought I'd share with a caption to better illustrate what the photo depicts.

My pre-talk defines hypnosis, sets expectations for volunteers and allows me to weave in a few entertaining anecdotes.

"Magnetic fingers" is a suggestability test and helps volunteers focus.

A wonderful group of volunteers who want to give hypnosis a try.

Taking volunteers through a series of relaxing visualizations as part of a hypnotic induction.

Sleep suggestion instantly brings volunteers back to a deep level of relaxation.

Anxious Decision-Making is a "No-No"

In mid-September I shared an article on this blog about how business leaders use meditation to improve decision-making on the job.  I received a number of appreciative notes from readers with a request for more insight on this topic:  hypnosis and visualization for career success.

So...here is an interesting read from the Harvard Business Review about the adverse consequences that result from making professional and career decisions while anxious and under stress.

How Anxiety Can Lead Your Decisions Astray
Harvard Business Review (October 29, 2013)

The author's advice is something I absolutely subscribe to:  "Refrain from making major decisions until you are in a relaxed state and can clearly reflect on the matter at hand."

This is true on the job, in class, on the field of competition and in life.

Decision-making is compromised when under stress.  Photo source:  Planetbeach.com

Whitman High School Athletes Give Hypnosis a Try

It is a class of alphas.  They walk the halls with confidence.  Each plays at least one varsity sport.  They all desire to make competitive athletics part of their college experience.

This past week I had the privilege of speaking at Walt Whitman High School to about 20 students about the power of visualization to improve athletic performance.  Called the “Whitman Athletic Leadership Team,” the class is taught by a physical education instructor and coach of the school’s varsity baseball team.

Here are highlights from my 50 minute presentation:

--I captured interest with two anecdotes about how visualization can empower exceptional athletic achievement:  1) Ray Allen’s dramatic three pointer during game six of the NBA finals last year; and 2) the incredible story of Vietnam War POW Major James Nesmith who improved his golf game by 20 strokes without stepping on a course for seven years.

--The talk then shifted to a definition of hypnosis and an overview of its meaningful applications for athletics, including stress management, self-confidence and injury recovery.  I presented each within the context of challenges that high school athletes face when preparing for and engaging in competition.

--The issue of confidence was of particular interest for the students, especially its importance when graduating to the collegiate level.  When everyone on the field is talented, skilled and physically gifted, mental fortitude often becomes the separating factor.  It helps players shine in key moments. 

--I then offered to take the kids through a brief hypnosis induction and, to my pleasant surprise, every student in the class volunteered.  I employed a couple of simple relaxing visualizations to create the right environment, and then helped each student capture a feeling of confidence in a post-hypnotic suggestion.

Although we were limited by time and a classroom environment during a school day is far from ideal, I think each student came away intrigued by hypnosis and its use by athletes.  

Equally important, they have a deeper appreciation for the role mental strength and focus plays in achieving success – in sports and in life.

NBA coach Phil Jackson used mediation and hypnosis for his championship basketball teams.

Tiger Woods employs hypnosis for mental focus on the course.

Back to Bradley Farm - Recap of this Weekend's Hypnotic Experience

This year I have had the good fortune to perform my "Hypnotic Experience" show at more than 20 community festivals, street fairs and charitable fundraisers.  Each is incredibly rewarding because of the exceptional people I meet and the contribution I make to a worthy group or cause.

My participation this past weekend at the Bradley Farm Haunted House in Herndon, Virginia was no exception.  This was my second year performing at this family-friendly event and I was given the privilege of going on-stage on both Friday and Saturday night.

Plus, I learned the community of Bradley Farm was honored a few months back for the contributions they've made to a Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., an organization that provides assistance to Northern Virginia families in need.  The proceeds from the Haunted House are donated to this worthy charitable group.

The Hypnotic Experience shows this weekend did present an interesting set of challenges.  Here are a few thoughts:

1.  Last year's audience was a mix of ages from adults to high school students and tweens.  The range of ages allowed me to incorporate a broader set of visualizations into the show.

This year, more than 90 percent of the audience on each night were primarily kids aged 8 to 12.  I'm still able to put on an entertaining performance, yet had to cut down on the pre-talk and funny anecdotes.  It's imperative to respect the maturity level of the audience and their lack of interest in any discussion of the health and wellness benefits of hypnosis.

It's a nice reminder that when performing the focus must always be on catering to the needs of the audience, rather than staying true to how I scripted out the show.

2.  The event organizers from Bradley Farm are incredibly warm, friendly and gracious, except for the person tasked with running the stage and sound system.  I'm not sure if he does not like me, my show or comedy hypnosis shows in general.  We just didn't click and it made for a few awkward moments.

For instance, on Saturday evening I had intended to begin setting up the stage about 10 minutes prior to the start of the show to create interest and excitement.  This would have also given me the full hour to perform, rather than having to cut the content of the show back by 10 to 15 minutes.

The early set up was a "no go," even though the entertainment at the time was merely an informal set from the DJ.

As my wife likes to say, "it is what it is" and I did not let any uncomfortable interactions steal away my enthusiasm for being part of the Haunted House event.

So...forward we go.  I'm presenting tomorrow to a class at Whitman High School about the applications of hypnosis to enhance athletic performance.  Look for an update on the blog later this week.

Even the food vendors were part of the Halloween scare.

    

Rock on!  The bands that played at Bradley Farm were awesome.

New Research Reinforces Importance of Sleep

As the evolutionary beat goes mammals should not require much in the way of sleep.  The compromised state of rest raises the prospects of becoming a meal for a predator.

Yet, here we are – from mice, to cats, to elephants, to humans – all requiring significant amounts of sleep during a 24 hour period to remain mentally and physically healthy.  Why?

The benefits of rest obviously outweigh the elevated risks.  Yet, until now, scientists were challenged to pinpoint the exact requirements that demand we slumber each day.

The Washington Post recently reported that a new study has found that while mice sleep their brains flush out toxic waste products cells produce with daily use.  The cells in a mouse’s brain even shrink in size during sleep to make for easier cleaning.

Plus, part of what is cleared from the brain in this soupy waste is beta-amyloid protein, clumps of which form plaques found in Alzheimer’s patients.

Although much research still needs to be done in this area, it’s obvious there is a strong connection between health, well-being, longevity and sleep.

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Read about how self-hypnosis can be a tool to facilitate healthy and restful sleep:

More on Sleeping Well with Hypnosis

Sleeping Well with Hypnosis

 

Halloween Hypnosis for a Wonderful Community and Charitable Cause

Next weekend you'll find me at the Bradley Farm Haunted House in Herndon, Virginia for two performances of my "Hypnotic Experience" show.  I'm featured on the main stage at 9 PM on both Friday, October 25th and Saturday the 26th.

Bradley Farm is one of my favorite communities in the Washington, DC area.  Their Haunted House is exceptionally produced and appropriately scary for visitors of all ages -- adults, teens and younger kids.

Plus, the event organizers recruit an interesting mix of entertainers (bands, DJ, dancers, etc.), as well as offer food options from a number of local restaurants and vendors.

The event benefits Herndon-Reston FISH, a charitable organization that provides support services for local residents in need.

You can learn more about the Bradley Farm Haunted House in this recently published article that appeared in the Herndon Patch.  And you can find a recap of last year's Hypnotic Experience show along with a couple of photos at this link.

I hope to see you next weekend for a scary good time and an entertaining show about the power of positive visualization.

How Mental Health Professionals De-Stress

Here is a great read from the Huffington Post about how mental health professionals reduce the stress in their lives, allowing them to be happier, healthier, successful in their career and more balanced in their personal relationships.

Whether it is high impact activities like running, basketball, kick boxing or martial arts, or more spiritual pursuits such as yoga or meditation, it's absolutely important that you find your thing.  You may even want to give self-hypnosis a try.  Email me at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com.  I'll be happy to talk you through the process.


Fun Ways Mental Health Professionals De-Stress
Huffington Post (10.12.13)

"Lying on the beach" is a relaxing visualization I include in a hypnotic induction.