Hypnotic Experience this Friday at Churchill High School

As readers of this blog know, I donate my time to entertain and speak at colleges and high schools in the Washington, DC area.  I perform my Hypnotic Experience show at after prom and all night graduation parties.  I speak on campus as part of the psychology and health curriculums.  And I support fundraising activities hosted by the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).

Perhaps most rewarding is when I have an opportunity to support the athletic department at an area school.  Competitive athletics instills valuable attributes related to confidence, discipline, teamwork and perseverance, while promoting a healthy and productive lifestyle.  I was a multi-sport athlete growing up and my children now participate in youth basketball and baseball programs.

Last month I entertained at a Haunted House hosted by the girls’ soccer and field hockey teams at Chantilly High School.  It was an awesome time!

On Friday, December 1 at 8 PM, I take the stage at Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland as the featured entertainer at a fundraiser for the school’s athletic department.  You can find information about the show on the athletic department Web site at this link.

 I encourage you to join for me a fun night with an important cause – helping student athletes at an exceptional school.

 

Hypnotist, Comedian and Thought Provoking Speaker

Each year I have the privilege of speaking on campus at high schools in the Washington, DC area as part of the psychology curriculum.  Students tend to have a high level of interest in hypnosis and its use as a tool for stress management, confidence, improved academics and athletic performance.

This week I made a return visit to Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland.  I was hosted by Dr. Joe Swope, one of the region's most respected educators and who I profiled on this blog last year:  Exceptional Educator Explores What Makes Us, Us.

Below is a tweet Dr. Swope published which includes a couple of awesome photos from my talk.

A huge thank you to Marc Hausman who donated his time to Northwest HS. Mark is an expert hypnotist, a ridiculous comedian, and a thought provoking speaker. Check out his events. @mrussellhausman pic.twitter.com/S94TUJfIpx

— Joe Swope (@swopepsych) November 21, 2017

A Great Visualizer Hypnotized

A few weeks back I performed my Hypnotic Experience show at a corporate sponsored health and wellness event in northern Virginia.

She was very much engaged during my talk about the importance of positivity and was quick to volunteer when I asked for people interested in hypnosis to join me on stage.  During the visualization segment of the hypnotic induction process I employ, her breathing slowed and her body relaxed.  It took her a mere five minutes to drift into a nice state of hypnosis.

After the demonstration, we chatted for a few minutes and agreed to meet-up to discuss her experience with hypnosis for this blog.  I’m always intrigued by people who quickly and seamlessly allow themselves to be hypnotized and then respond effort-less to suggestions.

Here are a couple of highlights from our follow-on conversation:

--Even prior to trying hypnosis, she uses visualization in her daily life.  She referred to herself as the great visualizer.  Examples include her interest in home improvement projects and how she sees the completed work before even stepping into a Home Depot or Lowes.

--She also explained that when she is faced with a career or life decision, she’ll often sit in a comfortable chair on her porch and stare at her front yard.  This trance-like state has helped her find clarity.

--She found hypnosis to be incredibly renewing.  Thoughts seemed to flow from her conscious, she explained.  Everything I asked her to visualize just felt right and my voice seemed to become part of her.  (The voice connection is something I have heard from others who have been hypnotized.)

--She was very much present in the moment and actually had a stronger sense of intuition.  It was if she allowed herself to take a mental break that she earned and deserved. 

Visualization I use in a hypnotic induction: imagine floating in a warm and safe cloud.

How Many Blue Devils Will Try Hypnosis?

On Friday, November 10 I invite you to join me at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland for a comedy hypnosis show to raise funds for the school's After Prom event in May.

I have had the privilege of supporting the Springbrook community for nearly five years, having helped entertain at a number of events hosted by the Parent Teacher Student Association.

It's a wonderful school with a great group of Blue Devils.  That is Springbrook's mascot!

What is the Story with Hypnobirthing?

During the past 10 years, I have met with a number of women who expressed interest in employing self-hypnosis and visualization to ease the physical discomfort, stress and anxiety associated with pregnancy.  The feedback has been positive as most have reported a sense of empowerment and, in a couple of instances, a closer connection to their child.

I’m not experienced in hypnobirthing, yet I continue to seek out articles that share examples of positive outcomes.  The latest is a story out of Iran which includes this assessment from a medical provider:

“This associate professor of Anesthesiology at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences pointed out that the use of hypnosis in childbirth reduces 80 to 100 percent of normal labor pain.”

3 Awesome Shows in October

This month I will be part of the entertainment at three wonderful events.  Each event is organized by and supports a not-for-profit group that does meaningful work in the Washington, DC region.

Check out the links below for more information.  You can reach me by Email at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com or phone/text (301) 538-8100 if you’d like to attend.  I am happy to help make the arrangements.

Marine Corps Marathon “Rally Up” Kick-Off Event

Friday, October 20 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center

This is my second year entertaining at the Marine Corps Marathon.  It is a true honor and privilege to support such a worthy cause and to help the runners gear up for the race.

Curbside Cookoff, Hosted by the DMV Food Truck Association

Friday, October 27 from 11 AM to 8 PM

425 M Street, SW, Washington, DC

Great food…entertainment…friends…this event is going to be awesome!  I’ll be onsite from 12 PM until 4 PM, and will perform onstage at 1:15 PM.

 

Chantilly High School’s Haunted House

Saturday, October 28 from 6 PM to 10 PM

4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA

Having entertained for the past few years at the All Night Graduation Party, I have a long-standing relationship with this wonderful school and the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).  This family-friendly Halloween event is hosted by the school’s girl’s field hockey and soccer teams.

Expert Says Eat, Sleep and Meditate for Health and Wellness

I walked into my family room at home to discover my 14-year-old son snacking on a popular salty and processed food.

“You know, they say you are what you eat,” I commented sarcastically.

He replied, “Call me Mr. Cheetos then.”

It is ongoing struggle to convince my sons to eat well.  The toddler has to dine on what we put in front of him.  It’s the tween and the teen my wife and I always seem to battle.

Well, I have some new ammunition.

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Helicase CEO Andrew Herr on how diet impacts performance on the job, in school and in athletic competition.  This guy has some serious credentials.  He consults with the US military on food and nutrition to optimize performance.

Here are my notes from Andrew’s presentation:

Andrew Herr, Helicase

--Low blood sugar influences judgment, aggressive and poor decision-making.  That’s because the body turns off certain brain functions related to focus and self-control.  In fact, low blood sugar and high stress have similar impact on the brain.

--The focus should be on eating smaller meals more frequently.  Eat protein (rather than carbs) to maintain blood sugar.  Foods that promote immune system strength include fish, nuts, avocado and olive oil.  Best fruits and vegetables are those with dark colored, edible skin, including apples, grapes, strawberries, beans, peppers and broccoli.

--It’s true!  Dark chocolate helps reduce stress levels.

--In terms of sleep, think of it as a performance tool, rather than something you have to do.  To improve sleep quality, block out blue light at night.

--And finally, meditation is an undervalued tool that has the same positive impact on the brain and physical health as exercise.  

Check out this article in Ivy Magazine for more on Andrew.