Stuart Ashing, The Dreamweaver

I have been exploring self hypnosis, performance states and the power of imagination since 1989. I went professional as an entertainer in 1993, and more than 30 years later I am still fascinated by what happens when comedy, theatre, hypnosis and human possibility meet in front of a live audience.
I am a hypnotist, entertainer, therapist, coach and founder of The Dreamweaver Comedy Hypnosis Show.

Early influences

Where it began
I was intrigued by hypnosis from an early age, watching performers such as Romark on television in the 1970s, and later seeing hypnotists like Tony Sands in the clubs of Northern England.
One of the strongest influences was the late Peter Casson, whose performance at the Sunderland Empire in 1991 left a lasting impression. He had a gentle, respectful presence, yet held the audience with absolute control.
A quality hypnotist reveals how powerful, graceful and creative the mind can be.
The unusual, the imaginative and the hidden power of attention have always pulled me in.

Performance background

From theatre to stage hypnosis
Before hypnosis became my main path, I was part of Northumberland Youth Theatre and performed in plays and musicals written and directed by local playwright C. P. Taylor.
After a few years in sales, from luxury hi-fi to financial services, I returned to my love of drama, imagination and live performance. At 30, I completed a two year BTEC in Drama and Performing Arts at Newcastle College, gaining a distinction.
That training gave me practical stagecraft, performance experience and technical production knowledge. It also helped me understand how to work with venues to create a show that lands properly for the audience.

Hypnosis and change work

More than a stage show
Self hypnosis played a large part in helping me listen to myself, choose a different life, and begin to feel I was doing something worthwhile.
Around 2005 I began further intensive training in therapeutic hypnosis. In 2016 I became a Master Practitioner in NLP, and in 2018 I founded Lux Therapy Clinic in Marbella. My wife Sandie Ashing joined in 2019 as lead Clinical Hypnotherapist and trainer.
That means my stage work and personal change work have always informed each other. The show is funny, fast and theatrical, but it is also built on decades of experience with attention, imagination, confidence, communication and the human mind.

Career highlights

Since 1991 age 30 I have:
Performed comedy hypnosis shows for over one million people
Hypnotised more than 60,000 volunteers live on stage
Appeared on MTV, seen internationally by millions
Performed for almost every major UK university
Travelled to Goa, India, to perform for 3,000 university students
Small parts in films and television, including Billy Elliot, Spender, Catherine Cookson dramas, Our Friends in the North and Byker Grove
Worked with household names in entertainment
Founded Lux Therapy Clinic in Marbella
Celebrated over 30 years in trance as a hypnotist
All from learning to listen to myself through self hypnosis.
Still even now a bit of a “WOW” moment, really. Looking back.

Sandie Ashing

Wife and mentor and Hypnotist
February 1995. Sandie asked me to dance…..
The rest is history.
Sandie has been one of the main drivers behind the scenes of taking this a guy with passion for performance up into the world of showbiz.
With her help and determination and sometimes inspired madness, she has booked my show into every main university in the UK. Organised tours, given birth to our children and still come back for more.
We have traveled to Luxor in Egypt, the valley of the kings, and Usworth Working mens club in Washington County Durham with the broken sink that leaks on your shiny shoes. Stayed in some of the most luxurious hotels and the worst Bed &Breakfasts’s.
Love is…….
Sandie also followed her inner voice and we built a childrens drama group here in Spain. So far we have produced four pantomimes. I have helped out with the production and some acting skills.
Along the way Sandie has trained as a clinical hypnotherapist and has awesome results with her clients too.
Together we have been training the next generation of therapists with Sandie leading the Clinical Hypnotherapy course.
So who knows what the future holds. But if its anything like the last 30 years I’m sure it will be entertaining.
She usually brings out anyone’s inner child, creative side, and passion. Her name may be Sandie, but better known to us as “Sparkle”

Related work

The Gateway Conversations with Stuart Ashing
www.stuartashing.com

Lux Therapy Clinic – Costa Del Sol

The main locations for clinical Hypnotherapy NLP and training new practitioners.
www.luxtherapyclinic.com