Featured healers

Barry Jones – Comedy Hypnotist

What is a comedy hypnotist doing in the Featured Healers page?

Comedy, as it turns out, is an accepted form of healing with the National Institute for Health (NIH) among other institutions in the world (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). Many articles on laughter as healing modality can be found when perusing the NIH library. LMS has already posted articles on laughter’s benefits for healing and why it works. Expect more on this healthy topic.

Today’s interview is with a well known San Diego hypnotist, Barry Jones, who began as clinical hypnotist related to his sports training, but quickly turned to comedy hypnosis due to his overwhelming success as a performer using his hypnosis skills, his public speaking talents, and his very Monty Python sense of humor.

I have looked forward to this interview for some time. In preparation for it, I began researching laughter as another successful complementary and alternative healing therapy. Just reading the stories of how laughter cures had me all smiles and spirits uplifted. Perhaps the effect will rub off on you too.

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LMS: Barry, since I have experienced your show many times, for many different kinds of audiences, I have heard the story of how you got into hypnosis. But for the sake of the LMS readers, would you please tell the story of how you went from Ulta-Endurance Athlete/Fitness Instructor/Fitness Coach/University Professor to Comedy Stage Hypnotist?

 

Barry Jones: As a University professor, I also engaged in ultra-endurance events including the Hawaiian IronMan. While competing in the Death Valley race, which was an intense 137 miles on the bike and 22 miles of running up Mt Whitney and down again in extreme temperatures, I slipped unintentionally into a 4 hour trance to survive the experience. Afterwards, I wanted to learn more about the mind’s ability to cope and change. UCSD’s Medical School offered a course in Clinical Hypnosis for HealthCare specialists. After taking the course, my university students learned I was certified and asked me to give a show at their dorm. After that first show came more offers until it did not make sense anymore to teach because I was so successful performing.

 

LMS: So the switch from one career to the other was almost overnight? Or at least over a few short years? Would you say that your audiences must have recognized your skill in comedy as well as in hypnosis right away? and began spreading the word?

 

Barry Jones: Maybe, or should I say, I hope so. In the early days, I was not performing consciously as much; so I am sure the comedy was spontaneous and natural from enjoying the experience.

 

LMS: Were you consciously using comedy with the idea of spreading the healing it brings? or was humor just a natural for you? Where did the comedy come in for you in life?

 

Barry Jones: I have always been a happy person so it is natural to make others laugh. I know it is healthy by experience.

 

LMS: You had experience in public speaking, as a University Professor and as a Keynote Speaker too. Looking at your experience, your focus seems to have always had a health or fitness direction. What kinds of work do you use hypnosis for besides stage performance?

 

Barry Jones: Many forms of therapy as well as educational presentation on subconscious programming.

 

LMS: Your love of sports and teaching and coaching remains an integral part of your career?

 

Barry Jones: I still keep track of my old Rugby team that I started at university; and I steer my focus toward working with athletes.

 

LMS: Because I have collaborated with you on a couple of clients, I am aware that you also use clinical hypnosis to alleviate people’s issues with adverse effects of cancer therapy. You also have some MP3s for tobacco cessation, weight control, and migraine relief. How do you decide to accept clients for those issues?

 

Barry Jones: I interview prospective clients. If I sense they are perceiving the hypnosis as a panacea or as a replacement for personal accountability, I am less likely to work with them. . . and will suggest resources or other directions for them to pursue, such as a therapist.

 

LMS:  Seems to me that your comedy would be hugely beneficial, especially to those cancer patients. Do you invite these clients to your shows?

 

Barry Jones: Everyone is always invited to my public shows.

 

LMS: I do not want to skip ahead or miss any points but I have to say that the most remarkable observation of mine from your shows is the sound of the laughter from the audiences. Mild or even moderate are not adequate words to describe the unremitting gale of laughter that comes from the audiences at your shows. I, too, regardless how many times I have witnessed your shows, find myself bursting with uncontrollable laughter at some point in every show. I find I am chuckling at the performance for days after some times. Are you conscious of the effect the various scenes in your performance have on people and do you consciously set up the performance to bring about this huge release in the audience?

 

Barry Jones: Certain things always seem to bring big laughs, usually the simplest things.

 

LMS: Seriously, the way the laughter builds and builds for your performances sounds beautiful to my ears. How does it feel to have people so pleased with your work? How do you gauge an effective performance? or client session?

 

Barry Jones: Every show is different. I listen and watch the audience as much as I watch the volunteers on stage.

 

LMS: If you could make a one-liner to express the purpose of what you do, what would you say?

 

Barry Jones: To make people cry with laughter.

 

LMS: [laughing] And thanks so much for all you do to make that happen! Your link to the Barry Jones website is posted on LMS in our link column on the front page. May I also post your phone number or email address? And what is the best way to learn when you are giving a performance?

 

Barry Jones: Email, mine is on my website, is the best way to contact me and ask to be added to my show list so that I can let you know about upcoming public performances as they are scheduled.

 

LMS: [ www.barryjones.com  and barryj@barryjones.com ] Please tell Barry where you heard about him.

 ~~~~~~~LATE BREAKING UPDATE~~~~~~~~

Barry Jones will be giving a Fundraising performance of his family comedy show at The Spaghetti Factory Thursday night December 15, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

The performance benefits Cal State University at Fullerton’s Rugby clubs, which Barry started in the 1980s. The Rugby club has expanded over the years and includes woman’s rugby team too. The Rugby teams still must provide all the funding to attend the games and obtain uniforms and equipment.

Call or email Coach Phil to reserve a table for your party as the show will be sold out.

coach@csufrugby.com

714-499-3738

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Anke Kramer and Embrace Infinity

I met Anke through a friend of mine when I was telling him how there are no really substantial masseuses in the area. He wanted to know what I was looking for in a massage therapist. Knowledge through experience in techniques as well as anatomy and physiology & pathophysiology, someone who is not afraid to touch my body and respond to the message my body is giving his/her hands, someone capable of reworking my body so that I feel refreshed, renewed, healed…. that was my answer. My friend said to me that Anke would likely satisfy those expectations.

To my lasting joy and surprise, Anke did indeed answer these expectations. I send family, friends, and patients that tell me they are seeking a real massage therapy experience. Naturally, I want to introduce you the reader to Anke as well.

In her own words……

LMS: How long have you been involved in massage therapy?

Anke: Healing and Massage Therapy has been part of most of my adult life. It has been a truly rewarding experience, filled with miracles, joy and self- growth.

LMS: What is your focus in your work currently?

Anke:  This is a time of magnificent transformation and I feel honored and privileged to take such an active part in it. More and more I witness pain and suffering on so many levels, physical, emotional, spiritual and I can tell you from my own experience it is completely unnecessary. Once we acknowledge and embrace the darkness, we can forgive ourselves and begin to heal. Physical pain and ailments are simply a manifestation of our emotional “dis-ease”. Once we choose to abandon old beliefs and illusions that keep us stuck in the past we move forward and our Journey unfolds… physical symptoms fade away gracefully and effortlessly, as do people and situations that no longer serve us.

LMS: So you are addressing not just the physical body but – - -

Anke: ….the energetic body as well. By shifting and balancing the energy within and around you, the puzzle becomes complete. This may take time and patience and yes… work. You must be open to change, surrender and release old concepts and patterns in order to welcome a new life, a new you. Just as an injured limb does not mend overnight our whole divine being requires attention and full presence. My purpose and intention is to assist you in bringing about change and profound healing, allowing your true self to emerge and shine brightly. We are by nature magnificent and beautiful… external circumstances may have created the illusion that we are anything but that. Once energy shift has occurred, lost pieces of our soul are retrieved we are empowered to move into the future with courage and strength… completely in the knowledge that everything is exactly as it’s supposed to be.

LMS: This is a hard task for some to conceive. How does this work in the sessions with you? Will you please give an example of what this experience is like between you and the client?

Anke: In my sessions I work on your physical pain, massaging sore muscles, mobilizing stiff joints, soothing your nervous system etc. The change created, you will feel immediately. I will more importantly address your energetic body, balancing your charkas, clearing your aura, creating a much deeper change. This may take time to surface and manifest in your consciousness and it is imperative that you actively participate by nurturing the delicate seeds in a loving, gentle way. Step out of self -judgment and into the warm and comforting place of forgiveness… for yourself and others.

My Healing Room is such a place.

LMS: Ah, yes. I enjoy your healing room very much. When I step in, there is a sense of such preparation for my visit….the light is soothing though you still bring in our glorious California sun in some subtle way. The aromas are yummy! and mysterious, and tantalize my senses, but somehow relaxing too. Beautiful art and music and such a cozy welcoming feeling are the beginning of the session before I have even undressed and laid on the table…sort of like how the aroma of food starts our body’s chemical process of digestion long before we sit to eat.

Anke: It is a vortex for Divine Love and Peace… an incredible “team” is waiting to support you on your Journey. Guides, Angels, Ancestors and many more will bring you healing you may never have imagined.

LMS: Really? Tell me the specifics of some your magic in the healing room and in your actual work on the client’s body.

Anke: My ever changing “magical toolbox” includes various manual techniques, my native drum, hot stones, tuning forks, essential oils and more. Together, we create a uniquely moving and profoundly healing experience of transformation.

LMS: I definitely enjoy the hot stones and the essential oils. And thank you, Anke, always for your sincerity and your undivided intention when you work on me. My body feels human again after a session and my bliss feels like heaven on earth.

Anke: Come and visit soon… you deserve a life filled with bliss!

LMS: I will. How can my readers find you, contact you, and learn more about you?

Anke: Please give them my website which has all the information about sessions, rates, types of therapy available as well as how to contact me. It is www.embraceinfinity.com

LMS: And now that everyone is so enticed and ready to feel much better in their bodies, Anke’s phone number to book an appointment is: 858-531-6123