The Transparent Hypnotist

Photograph by fredericknoronha

The scent of polluted air hits your nostrils as you power your window down, squinting at the small type on the menu board.

“I would like a [insert your favorite fast food here],” you say to the detached and anonymous voice that has asked you for your order.

And when you finally pull up to yet another window, exchange cash for a paper sack of cardboard, condiments, and what-nots, do you relish in the ease of consumption? Do you think to yourself, “Wow. I love fast food. This is great?” Maybe so. Maybe not. Maybe you chose to fill the void of an empty stomach with fast food, not because you enjoy it so much, but because it was easy. It beat standing in a kitchen contemplating vegetables and fiber and the process of making a most tasty (and hopefully more healthy) dinner.

Easy. How much of our lives are consumed with making choices based on ease? Ultimately it may not be the right choice, but it was the easy one. And maybe you are thinking as you read these words, “Well, Ellie, there is nothing wrong with making life easier.” But the truth is - is easy really better for us?

Many people try hypnosis because they are looking for an easy answer to a problem. They think they will just mindlessly and effortlessly make the changes  that I suggest. But that is not the way it really is. There is a sort of mindfulness about the hypnotic process, which involves both conscious and unconscious work. You have to be consciously committed to making a change before you even consider hypnosis. And what hypnosis does is not make something necessarily easier, but it simplifies things. It narrows down options (rather than greasy fries, you now find yourself wanting the crunch of a carrot); it can clarify a path that is more beneficial; it allows release that can simplify emotional feelings.

This all comes to mind, not based on a hypnosis experience but a decision I am in the throws of untangling. There is the easy way, which might be as satisfying and healthy as eating fast-food or there is the other path - more complicated, but more promising. Rather than making things easier in the short term, I think it may be more about simplifying my life, concentrating and focusing on what is really important. Go for the goal and make the journey important. That is what I would tell a client.

He has seen unspeakable things, things that cannot be said in polite conversation, but leak out of him in drips and drabs, inky, sticky, and horrific. As his eyes remain closed, the quiet tears of release also slowly leak out of his eyes and I feel my own tears streaming down my face as his speaks softly about his past deployment to Iraq. He has come to me seeking relief from the tortures his mind has been putting him through. He has trouble eating, sleeping, and adjusting to the American way of life, that which he swore to protect and serve. And serve he did. I say a silent prayer that he will find healing here in this room and through out his life.

As a hypnotist, I do not see combat the way others do. I do not have to wear camouflage or risk my life. Instead I see combat in the eyes, the voice and the body language of those who return from action. I do not need to be physically present in the war zones to the feel the profound effects. This beautiful man aching before me is not my first experience with military actions, nor, sadly, will he be my last. No matter what my political views are, I cannot help but feel towards these people who believe enough in a cause to fight for it. They are special.

And in all my recent posting about Christmas wishes, when I experience clients such as this young solider, my wishes melt away from the personal trivialities of my life to a more universal wish that we could ebb one another’s suffering. But this is the holiday season, not a beauty pageant were the answer to the questions is “I want world peace.”

It always amazes me when big business steps in and does something kind to make a difference during the holiday season and works to fulfill other’s wishes. Take  for instance the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry. Along with Rebuilding Together (non-profit) and donations from people like you and me, they help military families with home projects that are needed but do not get done because someone in the family is serving in the military. Through their Heros at Home Registry, our donations also go to fulfill some of these families’ and veterans’ needs for the holiday season.

I sat down and went through the stories on the site. One really sparked an emotion. It was about a solider who is deployed. While away, his wife gave birth to their baby daughter. He has yet to see his little girl (and will not be able to this Christmas). When he returns, they plan to get their own house, so his wish is for help in furnishing their dream house.

Though the donations to the Heros at Home Registry are not tax deductible, the idea of supporting these people that have strived to help make this world safe for new born daughters seems quite important. The stories are powerful, whether you hear them from veterans or read about families on the Heros at Home site.

Maybe it is time we stop asking ourself what our holiday wishes are and maybe allow that to transcend into a wish to help others - then manifesting the wish into reality.

Photograph by DO’Neil (GNU Free Documentation License)

One tissue. Two. Pause for a sip of tea (the last tea bag in the box of Constant Comment - drat). Another tissue and sip, again.

In spite of my tissue habit (I cleaned out a bookshelf last night and those wonderful dust particles are showing me their thanks for providing an air current party), the morning looks full of promise. There is so much to be done. Darn, another tissue. Will I ever be able to stop blowing my nose long enough to tell you my good fortune?

Ah, there is a breathing reprieve.

Last week, I posted about my weight loss group and some of their issues with having their photographs made. I also mentioned a fun little tool called the xshot. Basically it is like a tripod extension device that allows you to take pictures of yourself in a way that I hypothesized would be more flattering and inclusive. Well, JOY! I get to find out. I won Izea’s contest for that very product and am pretty excited to share it with my weight loss group. Depending on their feelings, I hope they will allow me to post pictures here.

So, huge thank you to the people at xshot and Izea for this opportunity.

Now I am off to bathe. No photos, please.

Image by Matt Britt

Auggghhhhrrrrr.

Wait.

JOY! Finally!!!

The internet connection is back. I am reconnected and am able to get my daily fix. The morning just was not right. I was all set to do my usually Monday routine. I had a nice cuppa Constant Comment and a piece of left-over apple pie (it is Monday and pie for breakfast is not a bad way to begin the week - I am going backwards today, beginning with desert) ready to consume as I opened the laptop to begin this post.

No connection. Deep sigh.

I tried this and that. Nothing. I took a shower. Still nothing. Just as I was about to call a friend to post my issues for me, the connection happened and here I am.

Without much ado, I present you the latest news in the hypno world.

The Good

During my recent camping trip, I must have complained a bit about being too cold to sleep. The results of that caused several people in my group to declare that they have trouble sleeping in ordinary circumstances. Do you have trouble sleeping as well? Hypnosis is a great way to get past sleep issues and find relief. Lorraine Fisher wrote about her positive experience with hypnosis in dealing with sleeplessness. Her hypnotist was Philip Batchelor (Greenwhich, UK). (The Daily Mail)

Good Interviews or Articles about Other Hypnotists

Marc Bachrach was interviewed by the San Jose State University Spartan Daily Newspaper about his recent performance there.

Stephen Gaudet, a hypno performer from Saint John, Canada is now touring. (The Telegraph Journal)

Tracy Holwagner, clinical hypnotist and owner of Self-Empowerment Center (Fargo, ND) was featured in In Forum Business.

Jim Tubbs-Galley of Transzzzzformations, located in Reading, UK, was featured in Get Bracknell.

Photograph by hlkljgk

Maybe it is time to change my Christmas Wish List again. I have gone from wanting chairs, to funds to help others, and now back to something more “me” oriented. Yes, this is definitely something I want - a zero degree sleeping bag. I have a pretty decent all-weather sleeping bag, but last night I camped in the mountains to be ready for a sunrise hike, and was numb from the cold by the time the sun showed itself. I am not sure I have ever been so cold. I did not sleep and it kept occurring to me that people actually do die from hyperthermia. I understand that whole idea a little too well. First my feet froze (even after doing the whole, unsnug the smart-wool socks thing. Then it was my mind that iced up again. No amount of relaxation exercises seemed to do it for me. No one to sooth me into a hypnotic rest and help me past the slight fear of dying not-so-alone, in the forestry cluster.

But finally morning arrived or at least the sounds of my co-habitees filled the air with breath puffing out of their mouths like non-toxic smoke. Coffee was made and I found myself slowly unzipped and hiking boots laced.  Several other’s who were camping with me all claimed they were too hot during the night. Go figure. I think perhaps, I am just not a cold-weather sort of gal.

There have been other times in my life when I have felt the cold slithering up under my clothes, infecting my body with its icy-fingertips of bone-saturating numbness. Normally, I am not in the elements when this happens and I can do a  little self-hypnosis, a little visualization of imagined warmth permeating the barrier of imaginary ice, melting it away and I can feel the seductive warmth of normal blood flow heating those areas (always my feet, thank you very much).

So, the Sunday Question is in honor of the the fact that cold actually got to me this time. What do you do when you get cold? But before you answer with comments such as: turn up the heat, put on more socks, or use hot-water bottles - put yourself in the mountains in a sleeping bag sometime in the middle of the night, oh, and you are alone in the sleeping bag. What do you do to keep warm so that you can sleep?

Maybe they should be called Pink Butterfly or Fluffy Slippers. Yes, I believe either of those would do nicely (and thank you, very much). Those would be more fitting for a death-metal band name (a French death metal band at that), much better than “Hypnosis.” But, I will continue on those thoughts in just a moment.

Before you think I have gotten all willy and am unleashing the total redheaded, head-banger in my soul, rest assured I have not. I must admit this particular genre of music is not one in which I am well versed, nor do I think it will stem an interest (okay, I like a little metal now and then…but, not so much death metal). This particular band in question pinged into my inbox under hypnosis related news. So, I thought - why not give them a listen. As I cannot make out the lyrics, maybe it is the repetition of sound or something ties in with the hypnosis link (I am out on a limb here). Again, maybe Fluffy Bunny would work, too?

I am giving them a link here for their myspace page. I did not try an embedded video for fear that it would run on its own once your page loaded. I know this is not for everyone. The two songs on the play list are The Day We Failed and Dead is the Sun (have they been reading Jung’s symbolism for the Black Sun?). Does not sound much like my concept of hypnosis…However, I do like their graphics.

Maybe Psycho Slippers would be another name option?

Location:Newton, Massachusetts

Cyber Locations:
www.healingbeyondtherapy.com
www.mindbody101.com

1. Are you a full time hypnotist, part-time or hobbyist?

I am a full time Holistic Therapist and a Certified Hypnotherapist

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

“Regression to Cause” applied toward eliminating anxiety, fears and emotional turmoil.

3. Is there any type of hypnosis you do not do? Why?

My passion is to provide relief and healing to my clients, so I shy away from the entertainment aspect of Hypnosis.

4. Do you use self-hypnosis regularly in your life? If so, how?

My mornings are dedicated to creating a day of intention by using self-talk and self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis is a powerful way to connect and participate in shaping my life.

5. Describe your hypnosis office or work setting.

My practice, Personal Healing, is located in Newton, Massachusetts. Beyond seeing clients each day I have the privilege to teach variety of courses and lead workshops in local Boston university’s such as Harvard Business School and Lesley College. Topics may vary from the Mind/Body Connection to stress management and of course Hypnosis.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

There is nothing typical about my life and certainly about my work. Usually my day is spent in a two areas: preparing for and seeing my clients, and creating scripts and content for my products available at www.MindBody101.com. I enjoy both passionately.

7. Where did you get your training in hypnosis and are you certified?

I earned my certification from the National Guild of Hypnotists. The training was through a local certified instructor of the Guild.

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

“Regression to Cause” is without a doubt the most profound technique in my tool box. While it may be challenging for many Hypnotists to master, it treats almost any symptom by uncovering the “Initial Sensitizing Event” or ISE and by allowing clients to change the perception of that moment from negative to positive, thus resolving inner conflict.

9. Worse moment ever in a hypnosis setting that ended up being a valuable learning experience.

Every client presents the therapist with its unique lesson. It’s never a bad experience if you manage to learn from it. I learned early on that I can never assume to know where the session will go and to approach each one of my clients with an open and flexible mind.

10. Any words of advice to potential clients or other hypnotists?

Practice and practice and practice some more. Start with the basic and relatively simple to resolve such as smoking secession. Do not move further until you have mastered the basics. Take you work seriously and treat every client with the sensitivity, attention and respect he or she deserves.

Arianna Huffington photograph by jdlasica

The channels clicked by as rapidly as the television set could handle the change. I cannot blame this random activity on stereotypical male scenarios (my partner, in other words), but on my own nightly restlessness. It was late and even though I had ending the caffeine transfusions earlier, I was no where near ready for sleep.

That left me sitting on the couch with a television remote control in hand, shivering because I had preprogramed the heat to lessen to a cooler temperature for sleeping. That had already kicked in and was taking the heat down a notch. Not in the mood for sitcom levity or the depression that comes with various dramas, I ended up on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Arianna Huffington, bloggesta extraordinaire was the evening guest. She is renowned for her blog, The Huffington Post, which is more like an internet newspaper (that is even in the tag line) with several writers. Anyway, she is very pro-blogging and has a new book out called The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging. Have any of you read it? And if so, what do you think?

She kept telling Mr. Stewart that he should blog, but he was very resistive because he writes all day for his show and has to concentrate on refining ideas. He would not have the time for blogging and only wishes to put out good quality work. Sounds reasonable. Blogging is not for everyone. On the idea, I am reminded of Micheal’s post here about coming up with daily ideas to write about when he guest posted for me for awhile. This is the exact reason I write about things like Ms. Huffington’s interview. Though it does not pertain to hypnosis (only on the periphery as this is the blog of a hypnotist), it does pertain to this daily task I have set for the blog and that is to discuss what is going on with me (yes, it is about me as much as about hypnosis) and my career as a hypnotist - living my passion, which is exactly what Ms. Huffington says is key to blogging. Blog your passion.

I used to have similar conversations with people about how everyone should blog, but despite the popularity of blogging, it is not for everyone (obviously). I guess I have grown used to this idea and realize this is battle not worth pursuing. If someone is going to blog, they will blog. If not, the world still manages to keep going. But it is refreshing to know that there are high-and-mighty people out there who do advocate the cause.

Now we need someone to advocate reading blogs.

Photograph by hegarty_david

I am slow. Really. Here it is December and I am just now planning January events at my office. But, in my own defense (take that psyche), ideas just began to gel about this new project. Well, new may “new” is not the word for it - maybe “continuation” would be more suitable. When I started thinking about writing yesterday’s post about how photographs can be misleading when it comes to seeing weight loss final results (based on the photographer, lighting, angles and lens), I went back through comments and email from my weight loss clients.

Over a year ago, I blogged a bit about a hypnosis weight loss group I formed. We had a lot of fun, and the synchronicity of ideas that made the experience enjoyable was more than I had ever hoped. Beyond the hypnosis work we did weekly, we also walked together, had a healthy meal a week together, and danced together. So, what has happened to that original group? Did they reach their weight goals and maintain their goals? Well, mostly. Most made the lifestyle changes needed to keep their healthy weight and their families also received the benefits (one family lost a total of a hundred some pounds just based on food choices). But there was some slippage, as well. There were a few that succumbed to bad eating habits due to stress (one blames the economy). One could not get her support system in balance and her husband gave her such a hard time about changing the family diet, she felt completely sabotaged. Talk about a self-esteem buster.

Most of the group has more or less stayed in touch and have asked if I would hold a monthly meeting for all my weight loss clients.They feel they can really help one another and even just hypnosis for relaxation would help them continue on their healthy path. The idea that they became a support system for one another was fairly important and when the group stopped meeting, in some case (see above paragraph), the results fluctuated a bit.

So, maintaing a support group is my next endeavor for January.

Photograph by zeon7

The flash of the camera is barely blinding and goes off so frequently that it is almost unnoticeable. What would seem like obnoxious, invading paparazzi is otherwise, is accepted because it is your friends and family that control the trigger (whoops - Freudian slip - I meant to say shutter). Some still insist on using film, so you forget about those latent images until they surface at another gathering. You make appreciative sounds as you look at the pictures of the wonderful memory. And for those using digital cameras, they show you the pictures right then and there, before the image becomes digital air.

The truth is, with the digital air, you may find yourself somewhat relieved that you may never see that photograph of you again with eyes half closed in a blink, exposed in some unflattering pose, or with huge hips because of the evils of the wide angle (it is the camera really - my hips cannot be that big). And the next truth is that maybe you dread looking at those images because they are completely unflattering and remind you that your body is not remotely as you would wish.

These are some of the things weight loss clients have shared with me in their journey toward their weight goals. The kicker is that even after these people lost their weight, in some cases toned their bodies through exercise, they look at random photos taken by others and are still unhappy with themselves, no matter what positive messages their clothing sizes or scales send them.

Here is the rub, people. Just because someone has a camera, does not mean that they will be able to take fabulous pictures of you. Odd camera angles, wrong lens, bad lighting and other factors can distort your actual image. The camera can, in fact, lie. One thing I am doing for my recent weight loss group is having a professional portrait photographer come in and do both the before and after picture of my clients. Their before pictures do not need to be hideous because I would rather the client see themselves in the same conditions before and after, so they can get a better comparison.

The other thing my clients did was their own weekly photographic journal of images. For this, the same photographer gave them a self portrait workshop. This proved really handy. The first thing he suggested was buying an inexpensive tripod, rather than just holding the camera out at arms length (bad angles for most people).

I started thinking about this recently when I saw a new product that might be better than a typical tripod that I think would be helpful for these photo diaries. It is called the xshot. Basically it is an extension rod that the camera can be attached to for a handheld pictures in a way that allows optimized self-portraits. It gives one flexibility with more angles and the option of a more flattering camera lens distance. Also, it is compact. It collapses to just nine inches for easy (and light ) carrying.

So the gist is that you attach your compact camera via a quick spin knob (no quick release adapters to lose). Then you chose your angle (the adapter rotates 180 degrees), extended the extension (37 inches), set your self-timer and hold out the rod with the camera attached at your height level (camera facing you of course).

Here is the truly fun aspect of this. When you are at gathering where other people bring out the cameras, just pull out the xshot, along with your own camera and take control of the situation. Put yourself in the festive pictures with your friends and family and shoot away. The best thing is that you get to pick the angle and the lens, perhaps receiving happier results. Then when it comes time to share the images, you will have your own memories where maybe, just maybe you like the way you are preserved in the moment.