Self proclaimed mentalist-hypnotist Rich Aimes appeared and performed for students in the Panorama Grill’s cafeteria Nov. 19.

The show, advertised as “A Mentalist Show: MindSurfin,” was conducted on a stage set up by Aimes and his wife/partner, Marielle Aimes, in association with Bakersfield College, the Student Government Association and the Kern Valley Card organization.

Aimes began the show saying, “You’re going to see some interesting stuff today.” The performer also stated that he is a “board certified mentalist and hypnotist” practicing and originating from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aimes invited students from the audience to participate during the show on stage. “Mentalism is simply the transfer of thoughts,” Aimes said to the audience. And after correctly completing tricks, which consisted of purportedly reading students’ thoughts and having a blindfolded Aimes correctly guess what students had drawn, Aimes then began his hypnosis.

Aimes went on to explain that hypnotism could be used to help students and people in general become more successful in their lives. According to the hypnotist, as in the case of college students, this includes helping learners focus easier and get higher grades.

The hypnotism session consisted of Aimes having the students in the cafeteria close their eyes and follow him in thought patterns while practicing deep breathing exercises. After a few minutes of a mantra, Aimes allowed the students involved to open their eyes and told them, “At the very least, you’ll feel as if you just woke up from a deep sleep.”

Aimes has been working as a hypnotist for 10 years, and claims that his clients and his business have been “very successful.”

“I only do it because it is positive,” he added. “It helps people.”

After visiting the college, Aimes stated that he would be continuing across the country, first to Ridgecrest, then to Texas and even Pennsylvania.