Psychology students explore altered state of consciousness

By Ben Wagner and Alex Norden

You are getting very sleepy, just relax, Mr. Hathaway instructed the students in the third-block psychology class. The class fell into an altered state of consciousness. Twenty faces stared unblinkingly at a spinning spiral; their eyes felt heavier with every breath they took.Dr. Michael R. Hathaway, a professional hypnotherapist, visited Kennett High Schools psychology students on March 15. Hathaway works out of the White Mountain Hypnosis Center, his private practice in Madison. He tours all over New England, performing stage shows and giving many people an insight into his hypnotic exercises. He has been practicing hypnosis for over 30 years.Its good for sports, Hathaway explained while giving his presentation to the psychology class. I can teach athletes how to enter into an altered state of awareness, which can get them into the zone,' improving their performance.During his demonstration, Hathaway had the majority of the students in a relaxed state of mind. I felt I was in the most comfortable position I could be in, I was really relaxed, senior Jon Desillier said while he thought back on the event.After the students entered into a sleepy trance, Hathaway instructed them to think and act in various ways. The students found they had absolutely no control over what they were doing.I kind of remember him instructing me what to do, and I remember wanting to resist, although I had no control over my own actions, said senior Tyler Haynes. Haynes was told that a Kennett teacher, Mr. Bailey, was his sports idol Bode Miller. Haynes acted as though Bode Miller was actually in the room; he even asked Mr. Bailey for his autograph.Hathaway also convinced his hypnotized students that they were feeling differentnot to mention impossiblesensations. When Desillier was hypnotized, he was told the seat he was about to sit in was as hot as an oven. When he attempted to sit down, he immediately jumped out of his seat with a squeal of pain, thoroughly convinced of the chairs intense heat.Dr. Hathaway has been visiting Kennett High School psychology students for 20 years and says he intends to continue introducing hypnosis to students as long as he is welcome.