My South African Adventure - Working and Playing in South Africa

[Michael Ellner]

I'm back in NYC. My working vacation in Cape Town and Johannesburg was the adventure of a lifetime and I am lucky to be alive! But first, I want to thank my host and sponsor, Claudia Klein, who owns and directs the South African Institute of Hypnotism (SAIH) in Cape Town, and Tom Budge, her associate who runs SAIH's Johannesburg hypnosis training center. Claudia, Tom and everyone that I met in South Africa treated me like a beloved family member. I will always remember and appreciate Claudia's and Tom's loving attentiveness and generosity and I will strive to treat my guests with the South African Hospitality that I enjoyed every minute during my entire stay. A big hat tip to Claudia and Tom!
My workshops were very well received and attendees indicated they were confident that they could put the conversational hypnotic techniques that I taught them to use immediately. They also indicated they wanted to learn more from me and I was invited back to teach a course in Applied Ericksonian hypnosis and NLP next October. How thrilling!

The Johannesburg Class 24/25 October 2009

The spitting cobras to the left of me or the puff adders to the right of me or the pack of dogs behind me were of little concern. They were just part of my stay on Tom's magnificent South African "farm" outside of Johannesburg. However, when the "tick-picker" riding on the rhino in front of me sounded the alarm and flew off, I though it could be the end of me and my friends. Oxpeckers, AKA "Tick-pickers", are colorful birds that ride on rhino's backs and eat parasites from the rhino's hide. These birds also warn its host of pending danger and I must say we were more than a bit concerned when the guard bird sitting on the rhino standing about a foot from our car started sounding a major alarm before fleeing the scene. I assure you that Tom, Yvonne and I had a very good reason to be alarmed ourselves because Tom's car was idling between a mother rhino and her calf! We could have been killed in an instant, but instead of charging us, Mom repositioned herself between our car and her calf and they just walked off. We were thrilled to still be alive!
My adventures in Cape Town included a trip to the top of Table Mountain, whale watching in the bay, a tour of the Cape's glorious coast line, a visit to the Noon Gun and Company Gardens and so much more -- I will always treasure my excellent South African Adventure!

[Wendy Parker]

It looks like an amazing trip Michael, thanks for sharing the pics etc., :-)

[Scott Morgan]

Thanks for the pics Michael, i lived in S.A. for several years so I know you had a great experience and met a lot of great people.

[Robert Aurbach]

Great pictures, Michael. Next time I'm in NYC (we'll talk about that soon)I'll lay some pictures from Oz on you...
Bob

[Christine Joyce]

Wow! Thank you for sharing.

[Eugene]

Hi Michael - thanks again for the workshop in Cape Town. It really was well presented and Liesel and myself have learnt a great deal from you - also from our informal chats. Keep well and we hope to see you soon back in South Africa! Eugene & Liesel

[Michael Ellner]

Hey -
A big belated Happy Birthday to Art-

Many Happy, Prosperous and Healthy Returns --

me
Thanks for the kind words--

[Art Long CHt. Traditional Doctor]

Thank so much Michael, and you posted all this on my birthday(31st)>Beautiful rhino shots and you survived the riots and hijackings very well sir! I look forward to many more stimulating conversations with you.
In case anyone wants to know this guy knows what he is talking about, he did save me and he is is GOOD! even though he's been practicing hypnotherapy 10 years less than me! (these youngsters!) One day we'll both get it right!!! Bless you Michael, talk soon my friend

[Michael Ellner]

Thanks for sharing Aino-

I think we can all agree that it is never wise to come between a mother and her off-spring...

[Michael Ellner]

Some additional Hat Tips and highlights of my visit to South Africa:

I want to give a speical hat tip to Claudia and Tom for the quality of training and education that they provide to their students... Their certified hypnosis practitioners are a credit to them and our profession!

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I had the pleasure of meeting Art Long who drove out to Tom's farm to meet me. Tom and Yvonne served us a delicious lunch and drove off leaving Art and I some very special time in which we exchanged ideas and stories - Art is a masterful healer/hypno and I really enjoyed our time together... At one point, it became apparent that my new friend was stuck -- so I leaped into action and set him free! Let's not forget that I co-wrote the book on Getting Unstuck...
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I have had 1000s of massages over the last 25 years and not one could compare to the amazing healing massage Nici gave me in CT -- If you are ever in Cape Town be sure to contact Nici and schedule a massage!
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Hat tip the Gary - It was his eagle eyes that spotted the two whales that were dancing in the bay - Once he pointed them out -- they were there for all to see.
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[Aino / Akpolarmom]

Nice Pictures Michael...They do look cute don't they, till they find a need to defend their babies.
Dont ever separate a mama moose from her baby. Our church in Alaska had a newly arrived pastor, who drove between mama and baby a few years ago, in the church parking lot. All was ok til he honked the horn. Mama instantly took off the bumper and rearranged the panels of the side of the car, broke the passenger window, bent the hood and then trotted snorting off with baby. Pastor was happy he was on the side where the baby was....