hypnotic kung fu punch

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Permalink Reply by Michael on August 21, 2009 at 10:26am

Ah the hypnotic kung fu punch. That's an interesting demonstration of hypnotic phenomena, but I have to ask myself, what does it really accomplish? As someone like me, who is just starting out and aiming toward both the entertainment and clinical sides of the hypnosis coin, demonstrating the punch seems to send a pretty clear message to my potential employers for gigs, my potential volunteers, and potential clients for sessions. That message is "I can hurt you because I want to". Now, there are those out there who enjoy masochism, and that's just fine, everyone has their thing - but I'm not about to assume that someone I run into on the street does. I can almost hear someone saying "but it looks cool and everyone gets a laugh"; maybe, but the person who gets the punch, are they laughing? Do they go and tell all their friends how great it was to get punched, or do they talk about the embarrassing experience they had. That person was just a potential client, maybe they would have hired you for a show, maybe they would have come see you for an issue they are having, at the very least they could be an audience member or pass your name along to someone they know. I've heard a lot of the great stage hypnotists talk about how the best seats in the house are those on stage and that the people who get up there are the ones that are going to have the best time ever. Given that statement, I seriously question the use of the hypnotic punch. It sends the wrong message to your volunteers and to your audience, and violates one of the things I see as a core principle of being a hypnotist, namely you are responsible for your volunteers safety and well being when they are in hypnosis with you. I'll jump down off my soap box now, but it's never far away, because I'm not just passionate about hypnosis, I'm passionate about good hypnosis.

Michael

Permalink Reply by Alexander DeGagne on December 17, 2009 at 9:00am

i totaly agree that safe shows are way more inportant then a harmfull show. If it is funny do it but first ask if it is safe to do so. It is the most important thing in hypnosis, Michael has the right idea here.

Al

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Jay Wight on May 16, 2010 at 8:33pm

Ive actually found that wiith teh punch it can be very entertaining - to the volunteer - when handled properly. If he experiences pain you need to get rid of that straight away (which is easily done) and leave suggestions of feeling good. Having said that I personally dont use it because I feel there are much better hypno-demos you can do. Something simple like sticking their hand to something is more beneficial I've found.