What comes in to your mind when you hear the word “magic”? What is magic? What is the ART of magic? According to World Book Online Encyclopedia, “The word magic also refers to entertainment in which the performer does tricks of so-called magic. In such entertainment, neither the magicians nor the audience believes that the performer has supernatural powers.”

On the other hand, Paul Harris who is the author of “The Art of Astonishment” defines magicians as “guides to astonishment”. Thus, magic can be defined as “an application of guided astonishment.” The three main branches of magic are “stage magic”, “parlor magic” and “close-up magic”. Stage magic is any magic that can be done on a stage. Stage magic is used to depict the imagination. On the other hand, there’s also “stand-up” magic. If you’ve ever seen the Amazing Johnathan or Paul Kozak perform, you’ve been witness to stand-up magic.

Magic can be categorized by the motivations and the performance styles, but it does not end there. Here are some of the types of magic according to motivation:

Parlor magic is performed right on the same floor level as the audience, as opposed to a raised stage. Gospel is a special type of parlor magic that is used to demonstrate religious (mostly Christian) concepts. With the replacement of intimate nightclubs by super-mega-nightclubs and comedy clubs, classic parlor magic is rarely seen today. A distinctive branch of magic has developed quite recently, called “close-up”. Close-up magic, like the other styles of magic, has developed its own individual genres. Other types of close-up magic are “table-hopping”, “walk-around” and “street magic”. All these magic happens in the magician’s and/or spectator’s hands. This form of magic has become increasingly popular due to its intimate nature.

After discussing the various ways and motivations of magic, it seems appropriate to talk about the various types of “magic”. Eugene Burger, who co-authored the entitled “Magic and Meaning”, he mentioned the divisions of magic. First, there is the “primary magic” which is the imagination.

Secondary magic, on the other hand, is drawn out of the imagination and into the physical world. These include “ritual” magic and “stage” magic. Ritual magic is directed to enhance some aspect of life. A good example of this is magic performed by an Indian shaman (i.e. the rain dance around a campfire). Unlike stage magic, ritual magic relies on the imagination itself.

Other types of magic are:

Detached magic, which is a form of ritual magic, wherein the symbols used do not have direct significance to the individual invoking the magic. Reflexive or trickster magic uses deception. This differs from reduced deceptive magic as it focuses on reminding and telling audiences its deceptive nature. Such include gambling displays and “sucker tricks.

About the author:

Preston Houer has been involved with the art of illusion and sleight of hand for over 30 years. Let Preston show you how to Have Fun With Magic. Visit His Site Today! http://www.have-fun-with-magic.com

Technorati Tags: MagicalHypnotist, Magical, Magician, Illusionist, Illusion, Comedy, Comedian, Mark Hamilton, Hamilton, Magical Hypnotist, Comedy Magician

Hypnosis has been used by a number of sportsmen and women over the years to improve their sporting performance. It has been well known that the various techniques used in hypnosis, including NLP and visualizations have positively affected the state of mind and performances of many an experienced player, as well as the amateurs. Though a lot of famous sporting celebrities and athletes have used hypnosis techniques in the past, it is not a very well known fact because of the stigma attached to hypnosis.

Pulp fiction and movies have added fuel to the fire in portraying hypnotherapy as a load of mumbo-jumbo, coupled with Machiavellian hypnotists who are out to control your mind. The truth couldn t be more different. Over the years researchers have discovered the true potential of hypnosis and recommend it as a one-stop remedy for any malady in life, sporting performance included. A player s performance in a game is directly related to his/her state of mind; the more confident and calm the subconscious, the better the performance, and vice-versa. Recently ace golfer, Tiger Woods acknowledged the fact that he uses hypnosis and its various techniques to calm his mind before any game. The results of these hypnotherapy sessions are out there for all of us to see. He along with his mental coach Jay Brunza work towards making Tiger Woods mind controlled, relaxed and composed. Their one point agenda is to increase Tiger s concentration and focus, by succeeding in blocking distractions and disturbances. Golf as a game requires a great deal of focus, and if this focus wavers the game is lost.

Hypnosis works towards recreating images of the perfect move or the perfect stroke required of a player to win a match. The images are visualized by the player in his mind, and repeated over and over, till it has made an imprint in his subconscious. Tennis star, Jimmy Connors is said to have used hypnosis techniques to practice his winning strokes prior to the US Open Championship, which went a long way in sealing his victory at the tournament. Hypnosis also goes a long way in soothing a player s nerves through calming audios and takes care of the performance anxiety which so many players face before a game. A great sportsperson might fail to leave a mark at a game, if he is anxious and tense. Hypnosis helps them deal with these jitters by smoothening the rough edges of their subconscious mind. Kevin McBride, the celebrated Irish heavyweight boxing champion summons his hypnotist before every game, to get into the right frame of mind. Even golfer Jack Niklaus lauded hypnotherapy and visualization techniques as the sole reason for his improved concentration, which has led him to numerous victories. He says that his game of golf is only 10% physical, and 90% mental; he further adds that he visualizes each of the holes on a course, especially the tough ones and rehearses in his mind the right stroke to master them. He even says that he whenever he plays a shot; he knows exactly the movements he is making and the outcome of each move in his mind, before he hits the shot.

It sounds incredible that hypnosis can help a player in his performance to such an extent. But it is true, and a number of sporting legends owe their pioneering performance to hypnosis. Boxer Ken Norton used hypnosis prior to his penultimate game with Mohammad Ali, where Norton ended up breaking Ali s jaw; even cyclist Lance Armstrong is said to have used visualization techniques to overcome obstacles.

About The Author

Terry Doherty is a world renowned Hypnotherapist and life coach. Find out more about his Hypnotherapy in High Wycombe practice, go to http://www.mind-works.com. He is also the creator of a range of Hypnosis Downloads at http://www.double-powered-hypnosis.com

Technorati Tags: Hypnotist, Stage Hypnotist, Stage Hypnosis, Hypnosis, Hypnotism, Magical Hypnotist, Hypnotherapy, NLP, Neuro Linguistic Programming

What comes in to your mind when you hear the word “magic”? What is magic? What is the ART of magic? According to World Book Online Encyclopedia, “The word magic also refers to entertainment in which the performer does tricks of so-called magic. In such entertainment, neither the magicians nor the audience believes that the performer has supernatural powers.”

On the other hand, Paul Harris who is the author of “The Art of Astonishment” defines magicians as “guides to astonishment”. Thus, magic can be defined as “an application of guided astonishment.” The three main branches of magic are “stage magic”, “parlor magic” and “close-up magic”. Stage magic is any magic that can be done on a stage. Stage magic is used to depict the imagination. On the other hand, there’s also “stand-up” magic. If you’ve ever seen the Amazing Johnathan or Paul Kozak perform, you’ve been witness to stand-up magic.

Magic can be categorized by the motivations and the performance styles, but it does not end there. Here are some of the types of magic according to motivation:

Parlor magic is performed right on the same floor level as the audience, as opposed to a raised stage. Gospel is a special type of parlor magic that is used to demonstrate religious (mostly Christian) concepts. With the replacement of intimate nightclubs by super-mega-nightclubs and comedy clubs, classic parlor magic is rarely seen today. A distinctive branch of magic has developed quite recently, called “close-up”. Close-up magic, like the other styles of magic, has developed its own individual genres. Other types of close-up magic are “table-hopping”, “walk-around” and “street magic”. All these magic happens in the magician’s and/or spectator’s hands. This form of magic has become increasingly popular due to its intimate nature.

After discussing the various ways and motivations of magic, it seems appropriate to talk about the various types of “magic”. Eugene Burger, who co-authored the entitled “Magic and Meaning”, he mentioned the divisions of magic. First, there is the “primary magic” which is the imagination.

Secondary magic, on the other hand, is drawn out of the imagination and into the physical world. These include “ritual” magic and “stage” magic. Ritual magic is directed to enhance some aspect of life. A good example of this is magic performed by an Indian shaman (i.e. the rain dance around a campfire). Unlike stage magic, ritual magic relies on the imagination itself.

Other types of magic are:

Detached magic, which is a form of ritual magic, wherein the symbols used do not have direct significance to the individual invoking the magic. Reflexive or trickster magic uses deception. This differs from reduced deceptive magic as it focuses on reminding and telling audiences its deceptive nature. Such include gambling displays and “sucker tricks.

About the author:

Preston Houer has been involved with the art of illusion and sleight of hand for over 30 years. Let Preston show you how to Have Fun With Magic. Visit His Site Today! http://www.have-fun-with-magic.com

Technorati Tags: MagicalHypnotist, Magical, Magician, Illusionist, Illusion, Comedy, Comedian, Mark Hamilton, Hamilton, Magical Hypnotist, Comedy Magician