Hypnotherapy was how I got started in hypnosis!  

I no longer do hypnotherapy on a regular basis due to my other interests taking up most of my time, but I did see many people make huge changes in their lives with it.  Here’s a few stories of using it:  http://ianstewart.info/stop-smoking-hypnosis/

I’m often asked how to become a stage hypnotist.  The answer as far as I’m concerned is 2 parts.  One, be a good entertainer in another area such as magic, dance, stand up comedy. And two, be a hypnotherapist.  

Training in hypnotherapy is a great way to learn how the mind really works.  It teaches you how to deal with any issues that can come up.  

I’m not talking about the weekend courses that go over the basics,  I mean actual courses that go into detail about regression therapy, parts of the mind and how to make permanent change.  

I took many courses, but the one I recommend the most was my training at the Omni Hypnosis Training centre.  Sadly my teacher Jerry Kein passed away a while back, but his teachings are still taught.  It’s IMO the best training offered in hypnosis.  

Their website is https://omnihypnosis.com 

I honestly can’t say enough good things about the time I spent there.  I made great friends, and learned a lot.  

No matter how much I enjoyed this section of my life, I’m mostly closed the door on it.  In each show i take time to explain that i no longer offer these services.  Yet, people keep asking for it.  Who know, maybe in retirement I’ll go back to offering it.  But until then I’ll keep the info tucked away and know that it made me a better stage hypnotist,  even if there was absolutely no talk of stage hypnosis in the course.  

Well,  I also still use it when something really, really interesting comes along…

It’s the time of year Ian stewart does a ton of Winter Carnival Hypnotist Shows!  

This week alone saw Ian at 7 locations throughout the Maritimes performing for over 3000 people, and hypnotizing over 100!  

The winter can be long and cold in the Maritimes, so many people are looking for something to do in February, so a show that gets the audience involved is a great idea.  

Here are some thoughts from Ian:

I remember one of my first winter carnival seasons,  I went to a remote area to a church.  the church was having the event in the basement of the church.  I figured it would be a lot of fun, and it was.  

The first thing I noticed was the amount of alcohol the bar was serving.  People were drinking a lot!  Also, my opening act was a parody of the Jerry Springer Show.  The opening act was complete with fake fights and name calling.  

They looked rough, but they still really enjoyed the show.  I had great volunteers and was invited back many more years.  No other years were as wild, I think the liquor license finally went away as well.  probably for the best as people were actually passed out on some tables as I was leaving.  

Since then things have gotten much tamer.  Many of my winter carnival shows are now in schools.  

Ian stewart at a Winter Carnival

I have a few more weeks of winter carnival shows before I head south to perform in March.  Most years I look forward to getting to the warm weather, but this year we’re having unusually warm weather in the Maritimes so I’m quite happy here!  

Many of my winter carnival shows take place in Moncton, New Brunswick.  You can read more about my Moncton shows here http://ianstewart.info/moncton-hypnotist/

Never a dull moment, I can’t wait to get back on the road tomorrow after 4 days off!  

Hypnosis show customization is an optional resource available to our clients who may be working to convey a specific message or incorporate specific individuals or organizational themes into their program.  

Each event is different, and each has distinct requirements for success.  Organizations that are interested in customization want to provide entertainment, yet want to benefit from achieving organizational objectives.  Customization of your event can be very helpful to achieving important objectives of your organization.  

Here are a few objectives that can be achieved by using customization in conjunction with an entertaining program:

• enhance employee / CEO / management relationship
• team building experience
• motivation augmentation
• enhance specific skills and abilities
• include industry / organizational specific routines

What happens should be you see your guests at the annual retreat, meeting or party and they are surprised with a fun program that not only has them laughing, participating and enjoying themselves, but also provides educational content.  People learn best when they’re not aware they’re being taught!  

The goal is to make the entertainer not just a show,  but an interactive and fun event that communicates your organizational message and achieved your organization objectives in a powerful and relevant way!  

Customization Process

Just send an email or make a call to the office!  info@ianstewart.info .  We will discuss your needs and discuss options for a customized proposal.  Then give us a bit of time to think about the event and we’ll get back to you with what we can do to reinforce your message!  

If you like the ideas we’ll discuss anything you’d need to do to make it happen,  and just like that your event is on it’s way to being a smashing success that not only entertains, but also achieves your objectives.  

Customization isn’t just for corporations,  it can be for any group.  I recently did some  customization for a university group.  

I had the opportunity to provide entertainment for university students at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick this week.  It was my 5th time performing at the University and each time seems better than the last!  

Mount Allison university’s website:  http://mta.ca/

I’ve performed in several places on the campus over the years, and this year was perhaps my favourite.  The show was in a small theatre that sat about 300, called the Brunton Auditorium in the Marjorie Young Bell Conservatory of Music.  

I know the pic is blurry,  but taking a selfie during a show is difficult!  

The students also gave me a nice treat bag with Mount A sunglasses, a water bottle,  a shirt, an egg cooker, and a stress duck (like a stress ball,  but looks like a rubber duckie).  

My favourite Mount Allison University story

My favourite story about a show at Mount Allison University was in 2017 when Incas scheduled to perform.  As happens in New Brunswick in the winter there was a snowstorm.  The entire university closed down, including the venue for the show.  

The students called and cancelled the show.  I was obviously disappointed I couldn’t go,  but understood given the circumstances.  

Then they called back and asked if I would be willing to come.  Of course I was!  Weather doesn’t stop me!  But there was a catch,  as the University was closed we had to do the show in the dorm.  So there I went.  I did an entire show in the lobby of the dorm, with a wall to wall group of university students crammed in.  

It was great to have everyone so close to the action!  It was also nice this year to offer a totally different experience by having them in a theatre.  Also,  it was great to drive back to Nova Scotia on roads that weren’t covered in snow!  

here is Ian’s talk of performing at another university in another post:  http://ianstewart.info/acadia-university/

Most people are surprised when they learn how a hypnosis show brings corporate groups together!  

At first I was too!  But then I realized it’s because a hypnosis show isn’t about the hypnotist,  it’s about the volunteers.  Of course you need a good hypnotist to engage the crowd (for a good hypnotist I humbly recommend www.ianstewart.info…), but after the show is over they often remember what their associates did more than anything.  

But more important than the people having fun is the memories and friendships that are formed.  

My favourite part of every show is watching the audience after the show.  Seeing the smiles and handshakes the volunteers get.  They are suddenly celebrities in their work place!  

I remember a show i did for a large communications group at a beach resort back in 2012.  I had a guy hypnotized who was the star of the show.  I knew nothing about him,  but a few months later I was chatting with the client and they told me this particular person was a recent hire and that evening was meeting many of his colleagues for the first time.  He was shy, and for some reason decided to take a seat when I asked for volunteers.  

After the show he was surrounded by people, and apparently in the coming weeks he became very popular, partially because he had my show to break the ice and give him something to talk to others about!  

I get these stories all the time!  

Even when people don’t get along!  

Even when people don’t get along I am often able to connect them.  I once had 2 people hypnotized who were known for not getting along.  They were apparently quite nasty to each other, and could never get along on anything.  We all know how stressful that can be to be around!  

Well I somehow managed to get these two people hypnotized and sitting beside each other.  They still didn’t get along.  But then I told them both that I had stolen their cell phones.  They started getting along, and apparently they started getting along better at work too!  

Seeing the interaction of the groups after the show is by far the best part of being a hypnotist.  Seeing friends laughing and building relationships is the best!  

Happy corporate party attended!

Your group should look like these people after the event!  

Here’s a link to a company that books corporate entertainment:  http://www.limelightgroup.com/speakers/ian-stewart/  

I may have linked to the page to book me,  but that just happens to be my favourite part of their webpage!  

It may sound odd to ask how to hire a hypnotist, but here are some things you may not have thought of.  

It’s very easy to learn the basics of hypnosis.  Sadly,  hypnosis is not regulated and therefore you can’t look for a licensed hypnotist to entertain your group.  Anyone can make a nice looking website these days,  so I suggest you follow the tips below to avoid hiring someone you may later regret.  

Is the hypnotist insured?

A hypnotist should have insurance.  Hypnosis is very safe, but it’s a sign of a professional if they have insurance.  most “weekend warrior” hypnotists won’t be bothered spending the money on insurance. 

How many shows do they do a year? 

Professional hypnotist are doing AT LEAST 2 shows every month.  Many top hypnotists are doing 150+ a year.  If someone does very few shows it can be a sign of someone who is unexperienced.  

Get references!

Can you see a history of successful shows?  can you contact others that have hired them?  If not this may be a warning sign.  

Do they have training? 

This is a rough one, as anyone can take a weekend course in hypnosis and say they are trained.  But Isuggest looking for someone who took both hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis training.  On top of that it would be desirable that they trained under another hy

pnotist in real world environments.  

How long have they been doing shows?

For any professional show you want someone that’s been doing shows for 8-10 years.  

Of course if you hired a hobbies hypnotist who has only done a handful of shows you may get lucky and have a great time.  Everyone needs to start somewhere. 

But do you want them to start at your event where you’re going to take the responsibility if things go bad?  

Follow the tips above and you’ll have greatly increase the chances of finding a hypnotist who has experience with a variety of audiences and situations.  The more experience they have,  the more they can draw on to make your event a success!  

BTW,  I’ve performed over 2000 shows,  you can read about them here:  http://ianstewart.info

Ian Stewart Corporate hypnotist picture

Can I stop smoking with hypnosis?  This is one of the most common ones when someone finds out you’re a hypnotist.  

The answer is, in my experience, that it may work for you!  I say may because I personally don’t believe it works for everyone.  It works for many,  but is not a cure all.  

What controls the success?  A personal desire!!!  If a person doesn’t want to quit, they simply won’t.  

If however, a person wants to quit smoking, then using hypnosis the cravings and habit can often be successfully eliminated.  

Hypnosis works for many people to stop smoking!  

I always tell people that there are many methods to quit smoking like the patch, stop smoking gum, cold turkey, nasal spray, vaping, and countless others.  Hypnosis is another method on the list.  None of these methods work for everyone.  Some people have great luck with the patch,  to others it is useless.  Hypnosis is also useless to some,  but to those it works for it’s great!  

Most of the methods listed above are attempting to have people quit smoking by giving the person tobacco in other ways.  When you try to stop smoking with hypnosis you are going into the brain and removing the impulse to smoke.  

I’ve seen people who have smoked for years quit in one session!  I once saw a guy who smoked five packs a day,  yes five packs a day, go down to two cigarettes a day in one session, and then quit completely with a second session.  

And,  I’ve seen people light up on the way to their car.  If someone smokes on the way to the car, then IMO they had no desire to quit.  

I no longer offer hypnotherapy as performing shows takes the majority of my time.  But if you have the desire to quit please seek out a qualified hypnotherapist and give it a try!  And, if you want to know a bit more about how it works why not buy my book at http://www.lulu.com/ca/en/shop/ian-stewart/the-hypnosis-handbook/paperback/product-3824865.html or visit my store at http://ianstewart.info/store/ where I currently don’t have a specific stop smoking with hypnosis product,  but may add one again in the future.  

It’s great to be recognized as the top PEI Hypnotist!  

I’ve performed for many corporate groups in Prince Edward Island.  In the last month alone I’ve performed for the Summerside Skating Club, The Journal Pioneer, Sysco, Prestige Floral, Town and Country Carpet, Service Canada, the staff of Kensington High School, Bob’s Pharmacy (yep it’s called that!), and the great people at Old Dutch Chips.  

Here’s what people were saying about the PEI Hypnotist shows:  

“What a fabulous night. The entertainment was top notch” – Town and Country Carpet

“We all had a great time Saturday night.  entertainment was great!!” – Old Dutch Foods

“Ian provided unforgettable entertainment for our Christmas parties that had everyone glad that they chose the Shipyard as their location. The quality of the show was beyond our expectations and made for a perfect night out for every company and guest. It was such a pleasure to have Ian as our entertainment choice!” – Darcia Burnett, Shipyard Weddings and Events.  

Only one show left before Christmas in PEI,  and the last one is in Charlottetown on Friday.  Then I’m taking a break until New Years Eve.  This year I’ll be ringing the new year in live on Eastlink TV as part of their live TV special to ring in the new year.  Full details at https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/events/civic-events/new-years-eve

2018 planning is well underway!  I have shows booked in every month,  and some really cool travel and TV programs in the works.  Plus planning on breaking a few more world records and getting back to basics with my magic skills.  For more information on my non-hypnotist work the best source is my Instagram at http://deskgram.org/ianstewartandstuff

I of course don’t spend all my time performing In PEI.  I just happened to be there a lot the last few weeks so I though I’d talk about that.  Even with the 14 groups I performed for in PEI this month, PEI still accounts for less than 5% of the shows I perform!  But I enjoy every visit!  

This picture is of Ian Stewart performing in Alberton PEI during the summer of 2017.  

Ian Stewart is probably the number one Moncton Hypnotist, simply because of the number of shows done there, and how often he’s invited back!  

Here he talks about a few recent trips:  I just got home from another great show in Moncton, New Brunswick last night.  I’ve lost track of how many shows I’ve done in Moncton, but its safe to say well over 100.  In fact,  there is one theatre in the Moncton area I’ve performed at over 25 times!  

The Casino in Moncton has an incredible showroom that hosts many large events.  I had the chance to work there on New years Eve 2016/2017 as part of the Dean Brody concert.  The staff there are great!  I had pyro across the light trusses that fired by remote,  very cool!  

The casino entertainment page is at http://casinonb.ca/show-page and the venue is called the Molsen Canadian centre.  They always have something cool going on.  My favourite shows that I’ve seen have been Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy, and Bob Saget.  They also bring in great musical acts, but as you can imagine I tend to enjoy variety entertainment more.  

I’ve performed many corporate shows in Moncton as well.  One show I did turned into a multi show deal with shows across Canada.  There used to be a conference hall at Crystal Palace that had corporate events so often that the staff knew exactly how to set the room up for my show.  Sadly that space is now an outdoor shop,  but many of the staff have moved on to other conference halls in Moncton and surrounding area.  

I just looked at my calandar for 2018 and counted over a dozen hypnotist shows booked in the Moncton area already, and the year hasn’t even begun!  

There is one corporate group that has changed the venue many times,  but has had me back 8 years now!  I’m already excited to bring back some new routines for new volunteers at next years show!  

I love visiting Moncton so often,  and always look forward to the opportunity to return!  

I found a great list of professional hypnotists that I really enjoyed.  It’s on a site called  Parseek and the list of hypnotists can be found on the page http://www.paraseek.com/Hypnotists/ .  

I found myself on the list, as well as many of my associates in the business.  Scott Ward is there, Tyzen, Justin Tranz and many others that I’ve had connections with over the years.  

Hypnotists don’t hang out together…

It’s interesting how hypnotists don’t typically associate with other hypnotists.  In addition to being one of the busiest hypnotists in the world I also do a juggling show (www.chainsawjuggling.com), and I’ve always found jugglers to hang out in groups.  jugglers exchange ideas and love to practice together.  

Perhaps this is because jugglers are often hired to perform with other jugglers.  I’ve never had an evening where an event hired more than one hypnotist for an event.  Although,  several years ago I was hired by Dalhousie University in Halifax to do a show, and found out that on the same evening my friend Wayne Lee  and hypnotist Tony Lee were both doing shows on other parts of the Campus.  

This pic is from a show I did one day in a cabin in the woods.  These young folks all gathered together and enjoyed some time getting hypnotized.  Not my biggest show,  or the most luxurious location,  but what a great day!