I'm new to stage hypnosis. Could anyone give me some advice on which books to start off with?

The New Encyclopedia of Stage Mentalism by Ormond McGill should be your bible.

Gerrardlo,

Look through the history on this section. You'll find many hints and tips...

Enjoy,
M.

Thanks. I've heard great things about "The New Encyclopedia of Stage Mentalism" by Ormond McGill.

The correct title is 'The New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism'. It is required reading for anyone who is truly serious about pursuing this field. Google 'Wayne Perkins' and pick up his ebook on his website. It is the only one I have found that gives a step by step approach for developing skills from beginner to doing your first stage show.

Martin

Thanks, Martin, I'll have a look at that. Do you approve and rate 'The New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism'?

Yes, like I said it is required reading. If you are serious about becoming a Stage Hypnotist then The New Encyclopedia should be included on your reading list. It literally covers the details of performing the Stage Show from beginning to end.

I also suggest that you check out the materials at Geoffrey Ronnings site http://www.stagehypnosiscenter.com/resources.htm, and get a copy of his 'How to Structure an Expert Hypnotic Show PreTalk'. He also offers his complete home study course, which is the equivalent of having attended his live training in video form, on his site.

Martin

I'm new to this site as well and, although, a little intimidating, I've plucked up the courage to talk.

There's snazzy little book that's been out for a while: How To Hypnotize People - By B.Banglestein written by David De-Val (who writes a lot of good books). Not only is this book great to start you off, it is also very cheap, as they go.

Hope that helps

And keep an eye out this summer for my e-book on Stage Hypnosis, behind the Curtain!

Pardon the shameless personal plug...

;)

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com

Necromance,

I agree that David De-val writes some excellent books. I have not heard of the one you told me about, but I am very interested now. Where could I get or review this from?

Gerrardlo,

I found this book on http://www.magicworld.co.uk under the book section. Very cheap, very good.

Necromance,

As they say, "The proof is in the pudding". Have you been able to accomplish what is taught in the book? Particularly as regards hypnotizing other people?

Howard

Hkwiles,

Oh, yes. I'm telling you this stuff works. Mass audience tests to the more subtle effects, but it all really relies on the patter and presentation.

Necromance,

I've heard from many people who also have an interest in hypnosis that if it works or not is all down to the spectator and if he is willing to believe that he is going to be hypnotized. Is this true? Or is it all down to the presentation?

Hi Gerrardlo,

For a novice in this field, it could be usable to start your show with some "Fake Hypnosis", also called "Hypno-Tricks". This will build up your self-confidence before you are doing the real thing. I think the English hypnotist Jonathan Royle is selling a book about this.

That's correct. Jonathan Royle does include HypnoTricks in his complete course CD. He includes enough information to enable you to conduct a 90 minute show using no hypnosis at all.

Martin

May I suggest that if you do have a serious interest in this field that you also study a few 'legitimate' textbooks on the subject matter. I am not implying that McGill's book is illegitimate; but, by the same token, it is not the best resource for a scientific understanding of what hypnosis is and what it isn't. For example, any of the works by Dr. T.X. Barber, from the Medford Institute (Medford, Mass.), will enlighten you on the technical aspects of what hypnosis is and, more importantly, what it isn't.

Will any of Barber's works - or the works of other clinical psychologists or hypnotherapists - help your stage show? Yes and no! They will not provide for you material that you could add to your performance. In fact, most of these textbooks shun the utilization of hypnosis for entertainment purposes; however, what they will do is educate you on the subject, preparing yourself to answer those technical questions that people have a tendency of asking...questions that you will be asked at some point in time. With this background knowledge it will allow you to answer a question in an honest, scientific and intelligent manner giving you that much more credibility.

If one is going to be a stage hypnotist, then one should have the training to deal with situations which will happen - and those include something called an abreaction.

An abreaction is a reaction where someone reacts in a manner that is totally out of synch with the suggestion given. These reactions can include panic, screaming, running away, refusal to exit trance, crying, regressing to a younger age and a lot more.

If you don't have the training to minimize those events and to deal with them when they DO happen (and they WILL eventually), then you are doing your clients and your audiences a disservice and possibly damaging the client pool for the rest of us. You have to know how to structure your suggestions to keep these abreactions from happening and have the training to deal with them when they do, regardless of your precautions.

Get professional training, and not just from a book. Nothing beats hands-on, supervised training under a professional. Organizations like the National Guild of Hypnotists and the International Medical and Dental Hypnosis Association offer programs that will give you the background to deal with these admittedly rare occurrences and will also give you the professional credits that will allow you to get liability insurance for your hypnosis shows.

It's difficult to get it without a certification these days, at least in the USA.

And a weekend course will NOT cover this area in any meaningful way - there's simply not enough time.

Get the training. Please!

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
Hypnotist to Sandals Resorts

Lee:

How about Bill Oconnell's hypnosis training. It's over 100 hours of required course study with an exam that has to be completed to pass and receive credentials. It is also accredited by American Board of Hypnotherapists.

Martin

The New Encyclopedia Of Stage Hypnotism is a great, simple read. It includes everything you need to know about hypnosis. I can't recommend this book enough to people interested in Stage Hypnotism.