The Transparent Hypnotist

Elman. It is a name that reads like a mantra for hypnotists. It is bandied around, nonchalantly in various interviews (do a search on this blog and it pops up often), articles, and scripts for inducing hypnosis. If you are a regular reader here, very often the hypnotists featured in the 10 Questions mention Elman as a most fabulous technique. I even posted my favorite five modified Elman inductions last week.

But for many reading this blog, it is a name like any other, just something to pass over quickly and forget. In many beginning hypnotists circles the name is also just a word, maybe slightly tinged with mystique. So the question is – who was Dave Elman and why is his name a modern mantra?

There are a few articles (see sources at the end of this post) that provide a decent biography. In these you will find the story of a boy who watched his father suffer the pains of cancer. A family friend who was a hypnotist helped the elder Elman find relief and this impacted Dave greatly. However it would take several more years before he would make a mark in the hypno world. He was a musician (not only did he play the violin but also the saxophone), an entertainer, a writer, went into radio and even advertising until at the age of 49, then going into hypnotism full-time. How odd to encapsulate a person’s life in such a sentence. There is definitely more to it than I mentioned, but for the sake of time, I will move on with this post.

Here is one of the important things to know about Dave Elman - his magic lies in creating a hypnotic induction that works rapidly and deeply. This came about during his experiments with doing hypnotism as entertainment. He wanted to find a way to induce hypnosis that would be fast and effectual. The results were that he created an induction that both mentally and physically relaxes the client and suspends that little critical voice we all have playing in our consciousness (the one that says, I can’t be hypnotized, this will never work, what is going on – you get the idea). Components of his induction include eye-lock (the client’s eyes remain closed and they feel unable to open their eyes), repetitive deepeners (or re-inductions that provide a deeper state of hypnosis), arm dropping (used to help create physical relaxation), and fading numbers. It also happened that a member of the medical community saw him do a stage show using such inductions and was so impressed that he asked Dave to teach him and his colleagues how to do hypnotism. This sparked his career in teaching dentist and physicians hypnotism, propelling his name forward is hypnotism fame and respect.

As this is just cursory, I have two sources you should visit. Both explain the induction in greater detail and provide wonderful background information on Mr. Elman.

Sources:

• Heroes of Hypnosis - Dave Elman by Tom Connelly
• A Tribute to Dave Elman: (1962) from Paul Durbin’s‘ web site

Photograph by spotrick

A few weeks ago, I was looking over the National Guild of Hypnotists’ Code of Ethics (yes, we most certainly have one) and their terminology guide. It has been a long while since I became certified, created my Client Bill of Rights, and actually gave any of it much thought. In writing a paper about hypnotism, I decided to peruse the proper terminology guide again. I have become very lax about something and I fear it may have created some confusion, especially regarding the 10 Questions. There are two words that I think many of us tend to use (or not) interchangeably – hypnosis and hypnotism. They actually are not the same thing or synonyms, if you will. I think the NGH sums it up nicely, so I will quote directly from them:

Many practitioners casually refer to their profession as “hypnosis” and this is improper. “Hypnosis” is the state the client is in when he or she has been “hypnotized” by a “hypnotist” practicing “hypnotism.” 

From now on I plan to be better about the usage of these words. And I am also changing the wording of the 10 Questions, even though the premise of each will remain the same. They are as follow:

1. Are you a full time hypnotist, a part-time hypnotist, a professional who incorporates hypnotism occasionally in your other practice, or are you a hobbyist?

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnotism?

3. Is there any form of hypnotism that you do not practice and why (i.e. entertainment, past-life regression, pain management)?

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

5. Describe your hypnotism office or work setting.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

7. Where did you get your training in hypnotism and are you certified by any organization?

8. What is the most fabulous hypnotism technique you use or prefer?

9. What was the worse moment you ever experienced in a hypnotism setting that ended up being a valuable learning experience?

10. Do you have any words of advice to potential clients or other hypnotists that you would like to share?

Also, I would also like to take moment and again remind my readers that I do very little editing of the 10 Questions, preferring to keep the tone, the phrasing, and the words unique to each participant. Please note that if I am given permission to use the answers exactly as received, I make no changes, even when words are left out or the grammar is wrong.

Source – The National Guild of Hypnotists’ Code of Ethics

Photography by Dawn Endico

The day has begun, not with a cup a tea or an indulgence of coffee, but with a rather simple cup of hot water (warm actually). My apple fast has begun. But, in spite of this opening, this post is actually about something I meant to cover quite awhile ago.

Over the summer, I posted a few things about using hypnosis during pregnancy. I had referred to it as “hypnobirthing,” My tendency to make everything “hypno” this or “hypno” that caused me to disrespect the HypnoBirthing trademark. I was unaware of it at the time I posted, but a reader quietly sent me an email about my faux-pas.

So, my apologies to Marie Mongan for infringing on her trademarked HypnoBirthing®. If you are not familiar with the idea of using hypnosis to make the birthing process more comfortable and such, you can get an idea about it by visiting Marie’s HypnoBirthing® website.

Or if you prefer, you can check out the actual faux-pas - I did it twice:

• Awaiting the Storm and Other News
• Hypnobirthing in Australia

Art by Neville Longmore Abstract Artist

Did you actually think I would give away the powerful secret of how to hypnotize yourself? LOL. Ah, so naive.

Sorry, I could not resist. It would not be my style to take away business from the profession. However, I am working on putting together an “Ellie’s Favorite Five” self-hypnosis courses, sites, instructions or mp3. I’ll run this in the next week or two, so, if you do offer such a product and want me to consider listing it in my favorite five, feel free to send me information (ellie.blunt@gmail.com). Yep, I will publish other people who give it away. LOL.

What I will do is tell you why you should at least try a hypnotist before diving in and doing self-hypnosis on your own.

Here is the list of why you should see a hypnotist first:

• To know what it feels like to experience hypnosis.
• To learn special techniques a particular hypnotist may use to help you enjoy the benefits of hypnosis (they may give you a trigger word or concept to help you enter a hypnotic state easily).
• To help you know how a hypnotic suggestion works (and ways in which your suggestions will be more accepted by your subconscious mind).
• They make make you an audio that will help you obtain the consciousness needed for suggestion work.

Photography by gotco collective

“I can do it myself,” pouts the three-year-old to the doting parent, insistent on spoon feeding it. Sure enough, given enough patience and a little diligence (and dab from a clean washcloth), the toddler manages not only the words, but in getting the spoon into its own mouth without wearing most of the contents.

For a moment, imagine your subconscious mind as that little tike, hypnosis is the spoon, and suggestion is the substances. Yes, you can do it yourself. Just like putting that first spoonful of mashed peas into your mouth, you can feed yourself hypnotic suggestions.

The above is part of the patter I use when I begin to teach clients self-hypnosis. My other hypnotist friends maybe smiling knowingly (or have their own wonderful or similar metaphors). Many practitioners of self-hypnosis are probably also smiling in that same knowing way. For those of you not in the know (knowing now), self-hypnosis is a pretty amazing and powerful tool.

Here’s the principle behind self-hypnosis - you put yourself into a state of consciousness (call it relaxation, meditation, trance…) where conscious suggestions can be accepted by the subconscious mind.

For those who are now a bit lost in this mumbo jumbo, the idea of the self-hypnotic state is one where your mind is so relaxed or open (or occupied) that suggestions (the changes you want to make) are accepted without much censure or criticism from the part of you that is normally critical, logical or analytical.

Sounds just like regular hypnosis, doesn’t it? Or are you stuck on the idea that a hypnotist has to get you to the point of accepting the suggestions? A good hypnotist knows it is you - the client, the participant, the reader - who gets you to the point of accepting the suggestions. A good hypnotist guides in the process of getting you there and can help you work on creating suggestions that are more easily and readily accepted by the subconscious mind.

What I am getting at is the concept that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis for the very reason mentioned above. You get yourself there. You chose to go there. You allow it to work. The big difference is in how you chose to get to the point that mind will accept the hypnotic suggestion. You can go to a hypnotist (which of course I strongly suggest), you can listen to audios, or you can learn to get there yourself.

So, wondering how to get there (or what I’m about to say to do this)? Take a deep breath in gentle reader, exhale and I’ll see you tomorrow.

Photograph by hypertypos

Yesterday’s posting had an incredibly positive effect (and a desired one) - a few non-hypnotists commented on the idea of hypnobirthing!!! One commenter asked if I was aware of any Australian hypnotists involved in child-birthing. That gave me a mission for the morning. I doubled checked all the hypnotists from 10 Question Fridays and find that I am seriously lacking in representing those fine people. Need to change that!

I ended up using the The Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists web site and found several candidates whose practices includes hypnosis and child-birthing. A list of those with web sites follows. I chose not to include those without web sites (or web sites that did not work) because I do not want to cause unnecessary spam in their email box. If you want the list, though, email me at ellie.blunt@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to send it to you. There are actually several who do not have web sites. And also, if they do not mention childbirth hypnosis on their web site, they listed it as something they offer on the ASCH site.

The List

• Del Layton - hypnotherapysydney.com.au
• Jennifer Palmer - www.thereadclinic.com
• Kerry White - www.hypnohealth.com.au
• Noreen Head - www.wnm.com.au
• Graham Moore - www.MooreSuccess.com.au
• Katherine Tassioulas - www.aihh.net

Also, awhile back I covered hypnobirthing more in depth. Here are the past posts:

• Body Centered Hypnosis
• More About childbirth and Hypnosis
• What a Pain

*Please note - It is unfortunate that I have to state this, but I guess it is necessary. The transparent hypnotist and Ellie Blunt do not endorse any hypnotist or practitioner. The content provided on this web site is for information purposes only.

For those who grimaced at yesterday’s one-on-one description of a Mesmer Animal Magnetism Session, maybe you would have been more interested in a group environment. Yes, indeed, folks - step right up and be amazed. You ailments will be relieved and you will be entertained.

Enter Mesmer, gold slippered, robed in lilac, and maybe even a turban. Then take your place in front of the large vat or rather, if you must be proper, the baquet. This is a tub that was filled with liquid (presumably water) that has been charged with Mesmer’s Animal Magnetism. He had discovered his own Animal Magnetism became super-charged if he stood in a pail of water with an iron rod in it, so he used this concept for the group experience.

As part of the group, you would take your place at the baquet. You would press the afflicted area of your body onto one of the iron rods that protruded from the vessel and be tied to it by the ropes. When settled in, you would all link fingers and create a “circuit.” Mesmer would circulate amongst you, occasionally tapped in the baquet with a magnetized wand. Like in a private session you might find yourself laughing, convulsing, or doing any other type of odd body contortion.  Interestingly enough, if you got too out of line of experienced screaming pain, one of Mesmer’s assistants would escort you out of the room to a mattress lined recovery room.  Hmmm?  Abreaction or no upstaging allowed?

In thinking about this, it was probably a great stress reliever, acting crazy and free. It was a place where such things were warranted, much like a modern hypno show. Apparently, Mesmer had similar reactions with the group as today’s stage hypnotist do - the participants happily play their parts and get into it.

The is only one reported baquet that is available for public viewing currently. It is at the Musée d’Histoire de la médecine et de la Pharmacie, Lyon, France.

Source: Cabinet Magazine

I am just not done. I cannot get him out of my system. He lingers on the brain as I sip another cup of coffee. He speaks sweet nothings during tea time, and though I try to move on, I just can’t. One might say I am mesmerized.

Mesmer is on the brain and will not leave until I have dug away at all the paths, so I hope you will indulge me in my little look back into history.

Like a faithful student to the art of hypnosis, procedure in the various ways hypnosis is handled is always something to ponder. Mesmer’s Animal Magnetism is no different. So, let us look at what he did on a one-on-one session.

Let us put this in terms of you. That is so much more personal. You would sit, facing him, your legs between his knees. You would feel the press of his hands around your hands- thumbs, actually, and he would stare deeply into your eyes. Intense. Then he would begin sweeping the air downward along your limbs, very close but not quite touching. Then he might press his thumbs directly upon your abdomen.

At this point, you might find yourself entranced, laughing (hey, he counted it), or even convulsing. There were even cases of vomiting. This Mesmer believed, was your magnetic fluid purging the impurities and realigning in harmony with the universe.

Source: The Bakken Library

A Late Saturday Night Change: Sorry all, I had to remove the strip from the blog. Scott could not grant me permission to use it. Anyway it was cute and funny, but alas is not be be seen on the Transparent Hypnotist. Feel free to do an internet search for it, you might just find it.

This has to be one of my favorite esoteric Saturdays! Is there anyone out there who does not just love Dilbert? Scott Adams is a true genius! But, did you know he too has a hypnosis background? Yep. His mother used child-birth hypnosis when his sister was born. turns out his family physician used hypnosis in his practice. This influenced Scott and he learned the fine art of the trade.

The next stop in our discussion of what happens during a hypnosis session. Last we discussed intake processes.

So, you have filled out the intake form and you sit, maybe twiddling your thumbs, drinking a cup of tea and wondering what comes next. The hypnotist shows no signs of moving and seems like he or she is just chatting with you.

“Great,” you think, “I did not come here for idle chatter. Let’s get on with it.”

The things is, you are getting on with it. This is the part of a hypnosis session called the pre-talk. It is extremely important. This is the opportunity for you to ask all the questions that maybe circling your mind, and you should ask them. Even if it seems like a silly questions (or the dreaded stupid question) - ASK IT! If the hypnotist makes you feel bad for asking anything, well, you should just get up and thank him or her for their time and get the heck out of there.

This is also the time when the hypnotist will give you more background on his or her processes, maybe a little background on the subject of what has brought you there, and will learn about you. Your expectations of the session may be discussed and you may find yourself doing some little tasks that help the hypnotist learn about how you process information. Are you a visualizer, more audibly reactive, or Kinesthetic, to name a few? They may also determine where you fall on an analytical scale. We will talk about this next in an upcoming post.

There are many hypnotist who feel the pre-talk is the most important part of the session. Not only does it lay the ground work and set the tone for the hypnotic work, it often begins the suggestion work. There is often a form of hypnosis at play during this time. It is called conversational hypnosis. Now do not panic. This is no different than many conversations you have through out your life, especially the conversations that influence you to behave a certain way. It is employed in advertising and debate. In fact, you have probably done it to others (been the hypnotist in this case) without ever knowing it.

This is a good stopping place here because it deserves a post in its own right. So stayed tuned. Shortly we will cover the concept of analytic types, conversational hypnosis, and suggestion work in traditional hypnosis.