The question is always there whether they ask or it not. When someone learns you are a hypnotist, either stage or clinical, there is the suspicion that you possess some sort of ability to compel others to do your bidding-for good or evil.

?Can you make people do things, can you hypnotize women? Imagine that!?

The innuendo is that through hypnosis you can influence the behavior of others in a direction that would normally be resisted. Kind of appealing to a would-be seducer. And kind of frightening to an unwilling would-be conquest!

So what gives, can hypnosis turn a frog into a prince so to speak? Consider the definition of hypnosis that states that it is ?a naturally altered state of mind where a person becomes more willing to change his or her perceptions about self, other people and the world around us.? Change perception and behavior changes with it.

So hypnosis is a tool that increases what is described as suggestibility. However, it also true that persuasion takes place all the time with or without a formal hypnosis process.

Now in order for hypnosis/persuasion to take place there must be a strong bond of rapport between the two parties. Without rapport, suggestibility dwindles down to virtually nil. And the way that rapport is developed and strengthened is the essential paradox of the persuasion equation.

The truly persuasive person realizes that he must focus on the hopes, dreams and fears of the other person, not his own. This is what builds rapport. It is no accident that truly hypnotic people have the ability to make you feel as if you were the only person in the room. Is there anyone less spellbinding than the person whose favorite topic is himself?

So can you hypnotize women? Can you hypnotize men? The answer is yes, there are verbal and non- verbal hypnotic techniques you can learn that will increase your powers of persuasion. However they do depend on the ability get of your own way and focus on the other person instead. Imagine that!

If you found this issue's feature article of interest, you may want to attend a one night class I will be offering at Ocean County College in October.

Entitled Persuasive Language in the Workplace, it is going to be two hours of insider's information about the art and science of persuasive and hypnotic language.

Whether you want to be more persuasive in the workplace, at home or in a healing/counseling practice, there will definitely be specific and practical information that you can put to use right away.

The class will be held on Tuesday, October 24 from 7:30-9:30 PM, course # CEBM- 284-01. Tuition is $39 and you can register by calling (732) 255-0404. Hope to see you there!

P.S. I also have a Smoking Cessation class on 8/10 and one for Weight Reduction on 8/17 at the college as well if you know of anyone who might be interested.