The soothing music.

A calm voice speaking into the microphone.

These things sent some MSU students into a state of deep relaxation during two shows presented by hypnotist Thomas Bresadola on Saturday at the International Center.

About 50 people were in attendance for the first show, which featured students thinking they were at a racetrack or flying in an airplane.

The event was sponsored by the University Activities Board.

“I have been studying hypnotic powers since I was 17, and I became a full-time hypnotist when I was 27,” said Bresadola, who lives in New York.

Bresadola has worked with people with high amounts of stress, those who are trying to quit smoking and athletes.

“Athletes are basically the same when it comes to being physical, but the mental part is also important,” he said.

“When a team comes out of halftime way behind and they come back to win, some would say the coach said something and he did - he got them mentally focused.”

Bresadola said the students who were hypnotized reached the second stage of hypnotism, when people become open for any suggestions.

Josh Schwannecke, a computer engineering senior who participated in the show, said he doesn’t really remember anything.

“All I remember is the kid next to me jumping on my lap and being accused of saying obscene things into the ears of the girls on stage,” he said.

Many people weren’t sure if it was rigged or not.

“Before the show, I thought people were picked, but as soon as the show started people just ran up to the stage,” said Cory Palmer, a Grand Valley State University student. “I’m convinced it’s real.”

Bresadola said there are two types of people who walk away from his shows.

“There are those who believe it, and there are those who think it’s fake,” he said.

“For those who think it’s fake, I say if I can take 30 people that I don’t know and make them do what I want, they have to say I put on one hell of a show.”