Hypnotized...Right on Q

It is 2:45 AM on a Sunday morning and I’m whipping down a quiet road in Gaithersburg, Maryland on my way to Quince Orchard High School’s post prom.   

I’ve just left Poolesville High School’s event when the phone rings.  It’s my long-standing relationship with the QO Booster Club.

“Are you close,” she asks.  “There is a whole group of kids looking forward to your show.”

A few minutes later I hustle into Quince Orchard and am warmly greeted by a wonderful group of students who are interested in giving the “Hypnotic Experience” a try.  I’m on-site until nearly 5 AM and probably could have stayed longer.  The parents hosting the event finally give me the word that it’s time to wrap things up and send the last remaining kids home.

After prom and all night graduation party season is my most active time of the year.  From mid-April until the end of June, I’ll help entertain at nearly 20 events hosted by Public Student Teacher Associations (PTSA) and Booster Clubs.

Admittedly, the early morning hours and sleep deprivation can be tough to bounce back from.  This is especially true when I’m up early the next day to shuttle my own children to different athletic events and activities.

The two hours of sleep is absolutely worth it because of how warmly I’m typically received by everyone.  Providing a fun (and safe) environment for kids to enjoy their prom or graduation is an incredibly worthwhile cause.

Check out the brief video clip below of a group of Quince Orchard students trying hypnosis.  My Hypnotic Experience isn’t your typical comedy hypnosis show.  Rather, I focus on a fun and entertaining discussion and demonstration of the power of positive visualization.

5 Stories of Hypnosis for Superior Athletic Performance

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby practices self-hypnosis.  (Photo credit: NovaCapFans.com)

During the past month I have spent most of my early morning weekend hours with high school students at after prom parties.  This coming weekend I’ll be part of the entertainment at events hosted by the Parent Student Teacher Associations (PTSA) at Poolesville HS, Quince Orchard HS and Northwood HS.

While I enjoy entertaining and supporting public schools, equally fulfilling is the opportunity to speak with young people about the importance of positive visualization.  This is especially true when it comes to athletes.

Most of the kids are surprised to learn a myriad of college and professional sports teams invest resources to ensure their athletes are mentally prepared to perform at the highest possible level.  With that in mind, I thought I’d share links to a few of my favorite articles published on this blog about hypnosis for exceptional athletic performance.

Hypnosis Helps Mary Lou Retton Vault to Olympic Gold

Hypnosis Sharpens an Athlete’s Mindset for Recovery

How the Lady Terps Achieve Zen

Hypnosis for Athletic Success, Capitals Style

Hypnosis Helps a Newly Minted College Athlete

Magruder High School Post Prom - Back for a Third

To measure the success of a performance entertainers often use the two "Rs" -- referrals and repeats (bookings).  This evaluation criteria is particularly relevant in niche communities, such as Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) in a specific county.

Four years ago, I made it a priority to initiate and build relationships with PTSAs in Montgomery County, Maryland.  I'm a graduate of the county's public school system and my children are currently enrolled in County schools.  The schools are exceptional in academics, athletics and community.

Each prom season, the PTSA at most County high schools host an after prom party designed to provide the kids with a fun and safe environment.  The event runs from late night until the early morning hours of the next day.

There is even a not-for-profit organization called Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation that exists to coordinate activities of the PTSAs and share best practices.

In 2013, I entertained at a single Montgomery County high school.  This year I'm fortunate to be a part of eight County high school after proms, including a few relationships that are now multi-year.

This past weekend I returned to Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland for the third year in a row.  The parents who organized the event were wonderful to work with the kids were fabulous -- interested in hypnosis and open to giving it a try.

Rather than a stage show, I was on-site through the duration of the event to perform a series of mini-demonstrations.  This approach is flexible, fits in well with the flow of other planned activities and gives more kids an opportunity to experience hypnosis. 

I've included below a couple of photographs I thought you'd enjoy!

When I say the word "cheese," rather than smile you will have the urge to make a strange and funny face.

That's strange...why is there music coming from my shoe.

Same volunteer is puzzled that she cannot seem to remember her first name.

Thanks for a Hypnotic Show Well Done

The "wrong face disease" suggestion.  Hypnotist Marc Savard uses this skit as part of his show in Las Vegas.

Seven years ago when I made the leap into entertainment I learned how important it is to focus on two things: 1) guests must have a unique and fun experience; and 2) the event organizer has to look good.

My "Hypnotic Experience" show yesterday at the Northern Virginia Community College's Manassas Campus hit the mark on both.

Many thanks to Professor Dyrud and the Psychology Club for hosting me.  Here's a kind note I received from the organizer after the show. 



Hi Marc,

Thanks again so much for giving your time to our students - last night's show was another big success and our students will talk about it for a long time :)  I know I said this already but it was the *perfect* ending to our Mental Health Awareness Week - you did such a good job of making the show relevant to our students and to the week's message.  

Best, 

Mocha

**********

Dr. Mocha Dyrud

Professor of Psychology

NOVA - Manassas

Subconscious Link Between Smoking and Gambling

There is a "hypnotic" reason Nevada has yet to prohibit smoking in casinos.

The anti-tobacco movement has gained considerable momentum during the past 15 years resulting in the adoption of government policies, taxes and procedures designed to limit usage.  Yet, there remains an oasis where smokers can still congregate and light up hassle-free – Las Vegas casinos.

The Washington Post recently published an interesting article that explores why the state of Nevada has been so reticent when it comes to banning tobacco use in casinos.  As you may have suspected, it is about money.

The article cites a 2014 report by Deutsche Bank that suggests a ban in Nevada could lead to a 7.5 percent decline in gaming revenue during the first year.

Here is the hypnosis angle.  Research organizations affiliated with the gaming industry suspect that smoking reinforces the trance-inducing rituals associated with gambling.

A 2002 study published by the scientific journal Addiction found that “daily smokers gambled on more days and spent more money gambling; they also ‘craved’ gambling more and had lower perceived control over their gambling.”

The subconscious mind influences us each and every day.  That influence can be directed in positive ways, such as stress mitigation, confidence building, healthy eating habits, and athletic and academic performance.

Or, the subconscious can be tasked for more nefarious means, such as gambling and smoking.

I say go positive!

Post Prom Season Kicks Off in Grand Style

This weekend I had the pleasure to entertain at the post prom party hosted by the parents at Sandy Spring Friends School in Suburban, Maryland.

More than 150 seniors and juniors gathered at one of the school's main buildings for food, movies, raffles, games, rides and...yes...me...a comedy hypnotist.

My "Hypnotic Experience" was incredibly well received by the students as I had more than 50 kids try hypnosis.  In fact, I was suppose to wind down at 2 AM, yet stayed on site for an additional hour because I had so much interest and enthusiasm.

Many thanks to the parents at Sandy Spring Friends School and congrats for putting on such a fabulous post prom celebration.  I hope to be included next year! 

Students had a chance to ride the mechanical bull, always popular at a post prom party.

The photo booth was way popular with the kids.  I had a chance to work with this guy running the booth at last year's Poolesville HS post prom party.

RMHS' Psychology Curriculum Comes Alive

More than 100 students at Richard Montgomery High School learned about hypnosis and the power of visualization.

Most high school educators search for new and innovative ways to make their curriculum come alive. 

  

It’s all part of the mission to effectively engage and challenge students which, ultimately, puts them on a path for success in their academic and professional careers.

During the past four years I have been fortunate to establish relationships with teachers at a number of prominent Washington, DC-area high schools, including Whitman, Walter Johnson and Stuart.  I’m invited to campus each year as a guest speaker to give an informative and entertaining talk about hypnosis and power of visualization.

It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.  I bring a fresh perspective to the classroom and, in turn, have an opportunity to try out new comedic material in a structured environment.  This is of particular importance this time of year as I prepare for the busy post prom and all night graduation season.

On Friday, I had the pleasure of spending the day at Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) in Rockville, MD to present to students in six Advanced Placement psychology classes. 

To write that RMHS is populated with high achievers – both students and faculty -- would be an understatement.  The school is home to one of the top International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmes in the world and has been awarded the Blue Ribbon in Education Award by the US Department of Education.

My interaction with the students did not disappoint.  They were welcoming, engaged and interested in learning about the hypnotic experience. 

Here are a few observations from a day talking visualization to more than 100 kids:

--The first class presentation is always the most challenging because the students don’t quite know what to expect.  Plus, first bell in Montgomery County is at 7:30 AM which is when I typically wake up.  Admittedly, it does take me some time to get going and deliver a high energy presentation.  Some was required coaxing to get a couple of volunteers to try a basic hypnotic induction.

--Word spreads…and fast.  Kids talk in the halls and with each class period there was an escalating level of interest in my talk and in giving hypnosis a try.  By the time the final period came around I had more than a dozen volunteers.

--I’m asked all of the time if hypnosis is real.  The simple (and truthful) answer is “yes…if a person wants it to be real.”  This was proven out today as the kids who were most excited to try hypnosis were my best volunteers.  In fact, I had a couple of students go into hypnosis during the initial visualization exercises I employ at the start of the induction.

--Athletes, artists and musicians are wonderful visualizers.  In one class period several members of RMHS’ girl’s lacrosse team volunteered and each quickly went into trance.  I was even able to perform a rapid re-induction with one of the kids which generated quite a reaction from the audience.

As I made by way down the main hall after last bell a number of students me stopped to say they had heard great things about my talk.  Three kids even asked if I had a few extra minutes so they could give hypnosis a try. 

I encouraged them to add psychology to their class list for the 2016/2017 school year.  The teachers do a wonderful job of making the curriculum come alive.

A special thanks to RMHS educators Sharon Vires, Bethany Stevenson and Mike Kellinger for hosting me.   

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Read more about my presentations about hypnosis at high schools at these links:

My Impression of Hypnosis for Health at Whitman High School

Wildcats Hypnotized

Stuart High School’s Psychology Club Learns about Hypnosis

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Update (April 11, 2016):  adding a nice Email I received from Richard Montgomery High School's Sharon Vires in follow-up to my presentations to the school's AP psychology classes.

"We just wanted to give you a huge thanks for your informative and entertaining show on Friday! The students were thoroughly engaged and entertained by your show, and learned even more about hypnosis in the process. It is always beneficial for the students to learn material in a hands-on manner, and your show made this possible. We really appreciated your flexibility throughout, and were thrilled to welcome you to RM. We will definitely look forward to having you come back next year and for years to come!"