Hypnosis / The Art Of Persuasion ( https://sites.google.com/site/crabtreehiddeninformation/home )

NOTE...touch on the forehead (and forehead, along the centre of the top of the head towards the nape of the neck)...shoulders...arms...palms...parts of face automatically triggers serotonin and helps subject relax really deeply – especially in rapid induction

How to construct a hypnotic “embedded command” – something that you want somebody to do (don’t use “you” – don’t “boss anyone” around)

1...put the command into a regular sentence

2...example... “I wonder if you realize all the benefits you get” for whatever you’re trying to influence into doing

3... example... “as you listen to every word that you hear me say, you’ll begin to realize how powerful hypnotic commands can be

Use... “I wouldn’t tell you to” (whatever it is that you actually want the subject to do)

Use... “You might want to” (whatever it is that you actually want the subject to do)

Use... “What is it that helps you know” (this causes subject to think)

Use... “You don’t have to (you fill with whatever you want) decide now” (whatever it is that you actually want the subject to do)

Use... “Why is it that some people see it (things) and most people don’t” (the subject tells you what they want and how it’s going to happen – the it and things are what you want subject to agree to...you say I don’t know if this is the best thing for sure but the subject thinks that it is their conscious mind is now turned on)

Rapid inductions...cause quick confusion, like a sudden snap of your fingers, then quickly deepen the hypnotic state of the subject

The 8 Word Induction... press on my hand close your eyes sleep (take your hand away quickly, other hand quickly and gently pushes back of subjects head forward/downward)

How To Attract Anyone You Want With Three Simple Sentences – as in conversation

1...“my treat. You can have anything you like...me, I prefer two flavours”

2... “it’s so sunny! You look like you’re hot...for me it’s just right”

3... “let’s find a place for us...feels great to sit in the sun doesn’t it”

4...Some essential embedded commands are seen in the sentences above – see highlighted in yellow/red

5...additionally, these words add a little extra - see red only – you’re getting an agreement from you subject

6...what you are really say is – see the highlights in the sentences

7...How this works is that the superficial innocent messages that is processed by the part of the brain that is conscious – the hidden and embedded messages that are processed by the subconscious, as in the same way that you subconsciously change gears while you are driving etc. when a skilled persuader delivers this message it triggers arousal and bonding in your subject that is closely associated with you. The skill comes in subtly adjusting the tone of your voice or a special gesture or other clever trick that alerts the subconscious to the string of words that make up your suggestions or commands

Here are seven covert secrets mind manipulators use to influence other people.

1. Making people trust and like you is easy if you establish similarities. That means that essentially that they somehow create the impression that they are like you. They can do this with a method called "pacing", where they mirror your body language, certain expressions that you use, your intonation patterns, and so on.

2. If you give people a reason why they should do something, they are much more inclined to do it. It doesn't even have to be a good reason - any reason will do, because that is the way our minds work.

3. You can secretly hypnotize people in the course of a normal conversation, and they will not even know what is happening. With the use of hypnotic language patterns, you can then implant hypnotic commands into their minds.

4. You can get people to do the most unbelievable things that they would not otherwise do if you just can get them to make a small commitment toward that action first. It is important that you do not try to get them to commit to the big thing first, but instead, just get them to do something that is seemingly irrelevant. This way, you create a kind of psychological momentum that takes on a life of itself.

5. It is more powerful to manipulate their emotions than to argue with logic. Most of the decisions we make we because of the emotions that drive us, and we then use logic to justify these decisions - that is just human nature.

6. If you can show that what you want them to do is what other people who are like them also did, they are much more inclined to do it. Even better, if you can show them that people who have what they want did the same thing that you want them to do, they will be eager to do it too.

7. If you can create a perception of authority they will be much more inclined to follow your suggestions. One example of that would be if you can show that you have been published in the media and established yourself as an expert. Another kind of proof of authority is an academic title, or impressive clothing.

You have now learned seven secrets of mind manipulation. None of them is revolutionary or mind-blowing, but combine these elements together and you get a powerful method to influence and manipulate other people's minds.

Facial expression, brevity and avoiding adjectives in speech... Smiling – the highest positive emotional gesture

The symbol that is rated with the highest positive emotional content is the smiley face. The painting of the Mona Lisa is one particular example of that feeling of calmness

Talk no longer than 30 seconds in a given conversation

Another element for how we can process language is the number of words there are for us to process. Of course we know this as somewhat obvious and yet it’s always a great reminder: “The human brain can really only hold on to four things at a time, so if you go on and on for five or 10 minutes trying to argue a point, the person will only remember a very small part of that.” “Speak briefly; meaning that you speak one or two sentences, maybe 30 seconds worth or so, because that’s really what the human brain can take in.”

Avoid adverbs in speech and writing

“Using single words to describe actions and objects quickly brings them to mind. When someone “stabs” a straw into their drink we see it, but “pokes swiftly” is not so clear. When a person “meanders” it is more accurate than “walking slowly.” What we easily forget on a very high level is that using fewer words builds trust. So any words that don’t convey meaning can erode our readers’ and listeners’ interest.

The skill of asking questions: “What would you do?”

Any questions that start with “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “how,” or “why” are likely to get great responses. To be avoided are “would,” “should,” “is,” “are,” and “do you think,” as they can limit how people respond to you a lot.

How to get great responses to your questions

Start questions with...who...what...where...when

Not that...would...should...is...are...do you think

An example...

Good: “What would you do?”

Bad: “Would you do X?”

Terrible: “Would you do X or Y or Z or Q or M or W or … ?”

Practice questions that begin with the 5Ws in order to have more meaningful conversations.

Removing “is” from your language

This next one is super interesting. Alfred Korzybski, the creator of General Semantics was firmly convinced that the ‘to be’ verbs like “I am, he is, they are, we are” promoted insanity. Why? Quite simply because things can’t be exactly equal to something else.

This X = Y creates all kinds of mental anguish and it doesn’t need to because we never can reduce ourselves to single concepts. You believe yourself to have more complexity than that, don’t you? Yet unconsciously accepting this languaging constrains us to believe we operate as nothing more or less than the idea we identified ourselves with.

Read the following list of examples and you’ll see immediately how different the outcome of the statements is:

•“He is an idiot” vs. “He acted like an idiot in my eyes”

•“She is depressed” vs. “She looks depressed to me”

•“I am a failure” vs. “I think I’ve failed at this task”

•“I am convinced that” vs. “It appears to me that”

The 5 Most persuasive words in English

You...Because...Free...Instantly...New

When it comes to assembling persuasive copy, like any other construction job, you need to rely on your skills, experience, and toolbox.

The toolbox of the writer is filled with words.

In defining what I believe is a critical element of crafting effective copy, I’ll make my case by amending the famous quote from Animal Farm: “All words are equal, but some words are more equal than others.”

And there are certain power words that hold more sway over our decision making process than others. You might be surprised to find that these “power words” don’t seem … well, all that powerful.

This speaks to just how damned efficient they are. Simple language is crystal-clear language, and these words make it clear just what you want your reader to do.

And you might be surprised just how effective these deceptively simple words can be.

I’ve listed these words below (along with studies related to their power) that will show you how to speak more persuasively to your audience.

Warning: I can’t stress enough — just as in the application of writing headlines that work — you must understand why these words are persuasive, and you must use them in the contexts that make sense for your audience and your business. If you just start slapping them on every piece of content you create for no apparent reason, you’ll quickly see just how unpersuasive they can be.

There, you’ve been warned. Now, let’s get on with the show …

1. You

There’s an often-cited study in the copywriting world about a piece of Yale research that reveals “You” to be the #1 power word out of a supposed 12.

Despite the fact that the study likely never happened, I have some actual research that reveals the power of invoking the self.

As it turns out, while people might like the word “you,” it is guaranteed that that they love reading their own name much more.

According to recent research examining brain activation, few things light us up quite like seeing our own names in print or on the screen. Our names are intrinsically tied to our self-perception and make up a massive part of our identity. No surprise then that we become more engaged and even more trusting of a message in which our name appears.

Research has shown that we will gladly pay more for personalization, so isn’t it about time you start getting personal with your customers?

However, there is one small problem with this finding …

Writing general web copy with name utilization in mind isn’t usually possible, but by capitalizing on the power of permission marketing, you can adapt this strategy easily — many email lists are greatly aided by being able to start off messages with a customer’s name.

While that may not be important for your blog updates, if you maintain a variety of separate lists for your products (and you should), make sure you’re grabbing a first name to make your broadcasts trigger that personal aspect with customers.

2. Free

Everybody loves free.

People love free stuff so much they’ll actually make different choices, even when the respective value of the item or service remains the same.

Dan Ariely revealed this startling fact in his book Predictably Irrational, where he examined a very unusual “battle” between Lindt chocolate truffles and Hershey Kisses.

To test the power of the word “free” in relation to concrete value, the study first asked people to choose between a 1 cent Hershey Kiss or a 15 cent Lindt truffle (about half its actual value, generally considered a richer, superior chocolate).

The results were as follows: 15 cent 73%......1 cent 27%

In other words, tastes were found to be very much in favor for the truffle. I mean, who’s going to pass up a deal, right?

Later though, another random group of subjects seemingly flipped on their opinion of these two treats. Ariely revealed that when the price was reduced by one cent for both brands (meaning the Kiss was now free), people altered their choices drastically.

With the new prices, here were the results: 14 cent 31%......FREE 69%

Although in the first test it appears we simply can’t pass up a deal, as it turns out, we really can’t pass up a steal. Although the relation in prices remained the same (a 14 cent difference between the two), people chose the Kiss far more often when it was free.

Ariely points to loss aversion (our disdain for losing out on things) and our natural instinct to go after “low hanging fruit” as the reasons why we are so susceptible to snatching up free stuff.

The danger of free: As we’ve seen here, there is a certain inherent danger in trumpeting free things. Having something for free will attract more people. But that will most certainly include a fair share of “bargain hunters” who aren’t likely to turn into the superstar customers that really grow your business.

Use free only when it makes sense, and only in the right context.

Emphasizing the “freeness” of your free guides, courses, information, support, etc., can go a long way in attracting attention. On Sparring Mind, I emphasize the fact that my newsletter is “free to join,” because although most marketers understand this, many folks don’t quite understand what it means to subscribe.

Conversely, you should use minimal pricing to keep out those barnacle customers who aren’t ideal long-term buyers, or who aren’t truly suited for your flagship offerings.

3. Because

In a study from the classic book Influence by Robert Cialdini, tests were conducted on requests from a person in a hurry to use an in-office copy machine. The tests examined how different requests might affect people’s willingness to allow this person to “cut” in line.

In the first test, the participant simply stated:

“

Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine?

In this scenario, around 60% of people allowed him to cut in line and use the machine first.

In the next scenario, the request was slightly tweaked. This time the participant said:

“

I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine, because I am in a rush?

Did you see the ever-so-subtle difference between the two?

Let’s break this down: Not only was the request only minimally changed, but the “because” (his reason) was barely a reason at all! “Because I’m in a rush” wouldn’t stand up as a good excuse for most of us, right? Isn’t a majority of the working world in a rush?

Despite what we might like to believe, around 94% of people allowed him to cut in line this time! If you think that’s strange, check out the request used in the 3rd and final test:

“

Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I have to make copies?

That went from having a barely passable reason to absolutely no reason at all for letting the man cut. In spite of this, 93% of people let him cut on this third trial, only a 1% drop from when he had a weak reason (“I’m in a rush”) and a 33% improvement vs. the first test.

According to Cialdini:

“

A well-known principle of human behaviour says that when we ask someone to do us a favor we will be more successful if we provide a reason. People simply like to have reasons for what they do.

Here’s the bottom line: Many companies are proud of the features that their product (or service) can offer, and that’s fine, but you have to remember that when you are focusing on writing persuasive copy, it all comes down to answering your customer’s #1 question:

“

What’s in it for me?

Although “because” may appear to have some sort of brainwashing effect on people at Xerox machines, it’s only really a matter of reasoning: even giving weak reasons have been shown to be more persuasive than giving no reason at all.

Only trumpet features and product traits you are proud of when they help make your point. Use them to create an incentive for customers to take action. And use “because” when pointing out these compelling reasons, but don’t rely on it as a crutch.

4. Instantly

The subject of delayed gratification is an important one among neuroscientists, as many famous studies (such as the Stanford marshmallow experiment) showcase how being able to delay rewards to a later date is a skill needed to become successful. (I know very few entrepreneurs who would argue against that.)

The reason this interests us as marketers is because it reveals an interesting aspect of human nature …

We want things yesterday!

Several MRI studies have shown just how fired up our mid-brain gets when we envision instant rewards, and how it’s our frontal cortex that’s activated when it comes to waiting for something (that’s a no-no for sales).

Words like “instant,” “immediately,” or even “fast” are triggers for flipping the switch on that mid-brain activity.

If you are in the business of selling web-based software, you already have an advantage here: “instant access” isn’t a vague promise, it’s often the reality. For those in the physical products or services business, reminding customers that they will receive their product quickly (or someone will get in touch with them ASAP) can go a long way in being the gentle push they need to buy.

We’ve seen how even “tightwad customers” can be swayed with these subtle changes in language to insinuate fast pain removal. It’s a reliable tactic for converting more prospects into customers as long as you follow the one golden rule …

Always deliver on your promises. And, whenever possible, over-deliver.

This is an area where many business get too optimistic, and although it’s smart to emphasis these instant rewards, it’s also always a good idea to under-promise and over-deliver, so be sure you can actually follow through on your promises or you may end up with a “tribe” that hates your guts.

5. New

This one almost seems paradoxical.

According neuroimaging research, we actually respond more favourably to recognized brands, and can have a hefty amount of disdain for any drastic changes. (Remember New Coke? Oh, the horror …)

On the other hand, it’s long been known that novelty plays an incredibly important role in activating our brain’s reward centre and in keeping us content with our products.

“Newness” is important to products, especially because research has shown that they age far more quickly than “experiential” purchases. (In other words, you’ll hate your new headphones in 2 years, but that concert you went to 5 years ago probably aged in your mind like a fine wine.)

How can you achieve a zen-like balance against these two contradictory sides of the same word?

The important things to consider here are which parts of your business generate trust, and which parts generate utility. It’s your brand that creates trust, and as the saying goes, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

Your products however are what customers get utility out of, and stagnant offerings are your first class ticket to an abysmally bored user-base.

Your core brand elements like your unique selling proposition, your dazzling customer service and your quality offering in the marketplace should be approached with excessive caution if things are going well.

With your products, it’s far easier to excite customers with new features and polish. Even if things don’t work out perfectly, a majority of customers will appreciate innovation attempts over no progression at all (unless you pull a Digg v4 and ruin everything in one fell swoop).

New fixes to old problems, new features and improvements, a fresh new design, or even new ways of getting your message out there (Red Bull anyone?) are all essential for keeping your customers “on their toes,” without losing the trust that has cemented you as an awesome brand in their mind.

Now it’s your turn …

Quick last fact: Make three positive comments for every negative statement

Research suggests that negative arguments have a very detrimental effect to our brain. We need to pay particular attention to not let them take over and working agains them with this 3-to-1 ratio:

“When you get into a dialogue with somebody to discuss any particular issue, a three-to-one ratio is a relatively good benchmark to think about; you wind up creating the opportunity for a more constructive dialogue and hopefully a better resolution.”

One of the most powerful ways to influence someone under the radar.

Whether it's a business interaction, a personal conversation or even meeting a stranger for the first time, this technique can instantly transform you into an expert or an authority in a matter of minutes.

What is it, you may ask?

Keep on reading!

One of my favourite questions to use is the qualifying question. What is a qualifying question, you might ask? It's a question that when asked, puts the listener in a position where they have to justify to you why you should be talking to them in the first place.

And why is this valuable? Because with one question, you can go from the one doing the chasing to the one being chased. It's a subtle shift, but it can really turn the tables on the one that you're speaking to.

Let me give you a couple of examples.

Let's suppose you're in a business meeting and you're speaking to a prospect about a service that you'd like to provide for them. Towards the end of your presentation, you could say something like this:

Mr. Prospect, I've talked a bit about the services that we can provide and if we decide to move forward, I think that it will be a profitable decision for both of us. But I also like to have fun with the partners that I take on. Tell me, what would be fun about working with your company?

Now although "fun" may not be your thing, you can replace the word fun with whatever you would expect to gain from working with a particular company. But did you see the shift there? Now instead of being pitched to, the prospect has to justify to you (to a degree) why they would be a fun company to work with.

Instead of you chasing the prospect, you're now making him chase you.

Here's another example. Suppose you're in a bar and you see a beautiful woman across the room. You realize that she has probably heard every pick up line that there is, so you want to be different.

So you approach her and in your best playful voice say:

"Give me three good reasons why I should buy you a drink."

Instead of asking for her number, or telling her how beautiful she is, or saying something that she has heard a million times before, you instantly put her in a position where she has to justify to you in a playful sort of way why you should be willing to buy her a drink.

The beauty of these questions is that provided they are within the context of the conversation, they are very natural sounding.

And although these are simple questions, do not underestimate the subtle shift in power they create. To move from the one chasing to the one being chased is huge, and it can happen with one little question.

But just as important as the shift is, so is the psychological stance that you create by asking the question. Because when you think about it, who do we chase?

We chase the expert, or the authority, or the one who is in control, and that is who you become when you get good at asking these questions.

Rapid Inductions: Conference Notes (English)

http://www.hypnovita.de/blog/hypnoselernen/rapid-inductions-conference-notes-english.html

Der folgende Text wurde den Unterlagen zum Vortrag Rapid Hypnotic Inductions entnommen, den Olf Stoiber auf der Jahreskonferenz 2013 der Assoziation für professionelle Hypnose und Psychotherapie in London gehalten hat.

Conference Notes to the lecture on Rapid Hypnotic Inductions on the 2013 conference of the Association of Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy.

Rapid Hypnotic Inductions: How to hypnotise almost anybody, anywhere – in the blink of an eye!

Sounds a bit flashy, doesn't it?

It does. And yet, it's what MANY people associate with hypnosis. We've all been faced with clients who've seen a stage hypnosis show somewhere and now expect us to just remove all their pain and anxiety by a snap of the fingers. It seems like they mistake us for magicians ...

As professional practitioners, we are able to help our clients in an amazingly short time. This can mean anything from 1-20 sessions, depending on the symptom – and on the client. We need our clients to be in a cooperative state where they're willing to also take charge of the therapeutic process – doing self-hypnosis when we teach it to them, doing their therapeutic homework.

Just visiting us in our practice, putting money on the table and expecting us to fix everything that's wrong for them – it just doesn't work this way. We need cooperation, and we need our clients to understand this very well to avoid disappointment.

Expectation versus Reality

So: We do have our great tools, our training, our knowledge and experience on the one hand. We know what we can do and how fast we can do it.

On the other hand, we have our new clients who may have seen a stage hypnosis show somewhere and get incredibly bored as soon as we start a long induction process or even tell them how we do serious work and how stage hypnotists are just entertaining...

How can we solve this? Let me tell you a bit about my own personal experience with Rapid Inductions and stage hypnosis...

When I started to study the art of hypnosis back in 2001, I was amazed at the many possibilities that opened up. I almost couldn't believe how easy it is to help people become non-smokers, shed their overweight, bust stress or gain confidence.

I received the most excellent training one could get at Terence Watts prestigious Essex Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and was fully equipped to deal confidently with most presenting symptoms.

Yet, with some clients, I came to a dead end – even though I (seemingly) used all my tools and skills just right. What happened?

Well, in those cases, I could usually make one observation: The client came with a different expectation of how a hypnotherapeutic session is conducted! And by not getting her / him into the same boat with me by setting the expectations straight before we started our work, I missed my chance of actually delivering great work and getting the results we wanted.

So I set out on a mission. Not only did I want to get my techniques just right, I also wanted my clients to be fully informed on how hypnotherapy really works and where (and why!) it differs from stage hypnosis. I really took a lot of time and great care in phrasing my words right, explaining how stage hypnotists work and that their goal is to entertain, ours is to help, and so on ...

Did it change anything with my clients? Barely. They listened, they seemed to understand – but they didn't actually BELIEVE. The more I told them about how our work differs from stage hypnosis, the more they seemed to believe I'M JUST NOT AS SKILLED AS A STAGE-HYPNOTIST! It was as if I was defending myself for not having a competence the stage hypnotist clearly has...

This really started to bother me ... Until a really great chance opened up for me in 2003. A friend of mine (who was a stage hypnotist for many years) asked me if I'd like to conduct a stage hypnosis show on my own. Wow – I sure had some mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I decided to use hypnosis for healing purposes and felt like it's a mighty tool that shouldn't be used for mere entertainment. On the other hand, it felt like a chance most certainly not to be missed. Finally, I could get an inside-out look at the field of stage hypnosis and wouldn't have to tell my clients stories I've read somewhere about how stage hypnosis supposedly works...

So – I said yes. And for almost a year, I did around two dozen stage shows. Audiences ranging from 50 to 2000 people. And: It was probably the very best thing that could happen to me! Because finally, I understood how stage shows work. I understood my clients expectations and why they often were so disappointed when I just told them "stage shows are not serious hypnosis". And I finally found a way to fix the expectations elegantly in a way that would supercharge their confidence in the therapeutic process, giving me their full trust.

What we can learn from stage hypnotists

If you've ever watched a stage hypnosis show live or on television (and – being a professional hypnotherapist – you definitely should have!), you will realise an almost uncanny success rate with the hypnotic inductions being used. It almost appears magical: A few muttered words, a snap of the fingers, and – voilà, almost all volunteers seem to go into a trance in a matter of mere seconds.

The question is: Is this for real – or are the people up on the stage stooges?

Well ... my year doing stage shows gave me a full insight on how the shows work. Here's my findings in a nutshell:

•In a stage hypnosis show, volunteers are suddenly experiencing a lot of peer-pressure by being exposed in an environment where there's a lot of expectation as to certain things that should be happening

•A common reaction is a rush of adrenaline, raised blood pressure and also heightened suggestibility (since the unconscious resources are being triggered)

•Being given the permission to go into a relaxed state is a very desirable thing right now – it relieves you of the pressure of being watched, calms you down and also takes away the responsibility for your actions

•The same thing happens when a TV-crew is present: People feel like they're being watched and become very willing to go along with any suggestions you give them

•By showing FULL CONFIDENCE, the stage hypnotist gains the trust of his volunteers; the confidence being display was the most critical thing to the entire show. NOT the actual inductions being used.

So – yes, the stage hypnotists do use actual hypnosis. But the volunteers up on the stage don't do silly stuff BECAUSE of hypnosis; hypnosis merely relaxes them. It's the entire context of the show that makes it work! Supposedly being hypnotized gives them permission to act out like little children without having to be embarrassed since they have a wonderful excuse. And it's much easier to go along with the suggestions the hypnotist gives on the stage than to say "It doesn't work for me ..."

Characteristics of the stage hypnotist

Before I did my first own shows, I watched many colleagues present their shows. I didn't really bother much about what they did, I was much more interested in how they did it. By watching more and more colleagues, I was able to find some common resources all of them use (well, ... at least the successful ones). Here's what they did:

•Show full competence! Leave no doubt that you know EXACTLY what you're doing. Let the audience know upfront that you're a true expert in the field of hypnosis.

•Show full confidence! If a stage hypnotist comes across insecure, her / his show surely won't work. ◦Confidence in the way you MOVE

◦Confidence in your EYES – make sure you've always got great eye contact

That was basically it. Simple, hum? Well – as simple as it may sound, it's really the make-or-break part of any show.

I've seen colleagues who only managed to do the most basic hypnotic inductions you could imagine, then doing a rather simple show – but always in a state of enormous confidence. Those shows were usually praised by loud rounds of applause afterwards. And I've seen some very skilful colleagues doing elegant and well thought-out shows ... but with an apparent lack of confidence which resulted in an amazingly bored audience ...

Also: The more confident the hypnotist came across, the less it mattered HOW she / he actually induced trance. Some stage hypnotists literally just snapped their fingers – along with the command "Sleep" – and their volunteers went into a trance...

Relevance to the serious hypnotherapist

So I've told you a bit about stage hypnosis now. You might ask yourself:

How does all of this apply to the serious hypnotherapist? Do we need to know about stage hypnosis? Do we need to know about Rapid Inductions, the super-fast inductions that are not only being used by stage hypnotists, but also by many TV-hypnotists? Isn't a longish induction much more relaxing?

Here's what I believe:

•Usually, I actually do prefer a standard induction over a rapid induction since it gives the client more time to fully relax and is also a good antidote to the hectic lifestyle many of us have become accustomed to

(Ummmh .... so why am I lecturing about Rapid Inductions when I usually prefer other inductions? Answer is coming right up!)

•But: There are cases where I need to know how a rapid induction works! Those are ... ◦in demonstrations in front of audiences (in a talk, or when doing group work)

◦when working with the media

◦for clients who specifically want a rapid induction

◦for clients who have trouble going along with long inductions (for example: when panic attacks during the session make it hard for the client to achieve trance)

◦for clients who come for many sessions and would like to experience some new inductions for the purpose of variety

•Therefore, I consider it absolutely necessary for any serious hypnotherapist to know at least a few rapid inductions!

How rapid inductions work

You might have already seen some rapid inductions – or even used them. There are many descriptions of them flying around on the internet, and YouTube is loaded with videos on Rapid Inductions.

Yet, most instructions seem to forget some of the most important parts of any Rapid Induction ...

Most people think Rapid Inductions are composed of four different parts:

1. Induction – the Rapid Induction technique you're using

2. Deepening – making the trance deeper and more enjoyable

3. Intervention – whatever it is you do whilst your client is in trance

4. Ex-duction – waking your client up from trance again

This seems right – but it isn't complete. Because a crucial part of any Rapid Induction process is missing. The complete list should read like:

1. Setting the stage – create expectation, setting your client up for the Induction

2. Induction – the Rapid Induction technique you're using

3. Deepening – making the trance deeper and more enjoyable

4. Intervention – whatever it is you do whilst your client is in trance

5.Ex-duction – waking your client up from trance again

6.Post-Frame: Giving your client some helpful suggestions in the waking state that help her / him make the best of what she/he's just experienced

Doing the right things in order to set the stage is – in my opinion – the most important thing to do in any Rapid Induction. If you don't create a state of expectation, the Rapid Induction will most likely not work and may even come across as cheesy. On the other hand, if you manage to set the right stage for the Rapid Induction, you really don't have to get the Rapid Induction all "right" and it most likely will still work...

In order to set the stage, you ...

1. need to come across as very confident! Create an atmosphere of expectation; leave no doubt something great will happen in a short while! Don't just show it – say it! "You will experience a beautiful hypnotic induction in a little while and maybe you'll be surprised by how quickly you will go into a trance ..."

2. Display competence! Leave no doubt you KNOW what you will do.

3. Use intense eye contact: Your eyes can make or break the induction. Allowing your eyes to wander around because of insecurity is a sure tell-tale sign to your client that you don't believe in yourself (or your technique)

4. Use the moment of surprise ... Almost all rapid inductions have a moment of surprise which is a trigger to the unconscious mind to let the trance begin. In most cases, this is a clear command: "Sleep!" – spoken confidently and loudly.

Being confident without being arrogant

I love confident people since they give me the feeling I can relax in their presence.

But I do hate arrogant people since I always get the feeling they don't have my best intentions in mind, but just want to make themselves feel better...

So: Confidence is a wonderful resource for any professional therapist!

Arrogance is a wonderful ... sign that you should leave the profession ASAP.

Yes, self-belief is important. You need to know that you've got something special to offer to your clients and you need to be able to show it. This will give your client the feeling she / he has found the right therapist in order to facilitate the desired change.

But there's a thin line between self-belief and smug arrogance. I believe that line is drawn by your personal intention: If your full heart is set on providing your clients with a truly wonderful service, making their life better, you're on a good way and more than welcome to show your full confidence.

If you don't really care about people ... well, that's when confidence turns into arrogance.

Over the years, I've made an interesting observation when it comes to confidence. A small minority of students of hypnotherapy just can't stand the idea of delivering a rapid induction. They claim it's too dominant and lacks any respect for the client whatsoever! When I tell them about the many benefits of Rapid Inductions and about how some clients can only go into trance when doing it quickly, they don't really change their opinion ...

It's only after they've gone through some really good hypnoanalysis on themselves then this issue is resolved! Apparently, having had a strong and dominant person in your past who didn't always have your best intentions in mind can cause a strong aversion towards any dominance...

People still suffering from their old burdens who go into the field of hypnotherapy then tend to try to only use "soft" and permissive methods, steering away from inductions or interventions that seem too aggressive or "confident".

So, if you have an aversion towards rapid inductions, I clearly suggest you find out why. That doesn't mean you have to do them or like them ... but anything less than a neutral feeling towards them may indicate you still have some old ISE's to work on if you want to avoid messing up the therapeutic experience for your client. After all, aggression (as well as confidence) are natural parts of the human experience and – in the right doses – are absolutely healthy.

Never miss a chance to make your participants life's more beautiful!

Let's talk a bit about using Rapid Inductions for public demonstrations...

A lot of hypnotists love to demonstrate Rapid Inductions by just applying the induction and then waking their volunteers up again. You can do this – but you will miss the chance of giving your client something truly beautiful ...

I've made it a rule to ALWAYS give some positive, uplifting suggestions – even if I'm only demonstrating a quick induction. It doesn't really matter WHAT you say, exactly – just make sure it's something the client will benefit from. As a basic recommendation, you could go along the following lines:

"And when you wake up from this state, you will feel absolutely rejuvenated. You will have a pleasant feeling of relaxation, joy and happiness within you, an almost unexplainable sense of wellbeing and positivity. Your unconscious mind will take care of making these feelings even stronger within the next few hours, days, weeks and months, so old and unwanted habits and feelings will gradually but steadily disappear and be replaced by a whole new set of resources and personal wellbeing."

All it costs is a few moments of your time. But if you make it a habit to always leave your clients with some uplifting, beautiful suggestions, you will make an amazing experience:

Some people will report to you this single, short intervention has changed their life for the better!

I vividly remember presenting a group rapid induction at a workshop, throwing in a few nice suggestions. One of the participants reported back to me a few years later, stating he's been suicidal at this point and willing to end his life. This short intervention suddenly opened up his heart and soul again, leaving him with the hint of a positive outlook and the eagerness to take control of his life again. Now, he's moved house, changed his job, found a new relationship, and is one happy camper again! And – this is by far not the only touching experience I've made when doing public demonstrations...

Mentioning the obvious: A few suggestions are usually NOT sufficient to cure clients of all of their symptoms. But sometimes it's enough to instil them with hope and a renewed sense of joy and wellbeing. Would it make any sense whatsoever to miss this chance? No – absolutely not!

The most popular Rapid Inductions

Here are three absolute classics in the department of rapid inductions. It's hard to describe a rapid induction just by words; but as soon as you've actually seen it at work, you will be readily able to emulate it ...

The Postural Sway Induction

The Postural Sway Induction cleverly makes use of an innate physiological response all of us have: We tend to automatically move away from an object moving towards us. Used in the right context, this induction can cause a light dizziness that is enormously beneficial to the induction process.

1. Have your client stand up straight

2. Move her / his feet together so they actually touch

3. Have a helper stand behind your client to catch her / him

4. Tell your client what is going to happen: "In a few moments, I will conduct a very fast induction. Clients are usually surprised how quickly they go into a trance ... Chances are you will feel a strong pull backwards, or a feeling like something is pushing you backwards ... if you feel it, I recommend you give into it. It's a beautiful experience and somebody will be standing behind you to catch you. As soon as you drop, you'll drop into one of the most pleasant feelings imaginable ... so, are you ready?"

5. Stand next to your client; put one hand flat above the eye-line in front of her face; one hand behind the head with about two inches distance

6. Start moving your hands simultaneously to the face (away from the back of the head)

7. Use suggestions such as "Something is pulling you backwards now ... just let it happen ..."

8. As soon as you see a postural sway movement, touch the forehead – say "Sleep!", and your client will fall backwards into trance

9. Your assistant will catch the client; it makes sense to help out a bit by putting one hand behind the back of the head to avoid the head dropping to the floor

10. Now, touch the middle of the forehead whilst giving further suggestions to deepen the trance

Magnetic Hands Induction

This is one of the most elegant inductions I know of since it's simple and aesthetical at the same time.

1. Tell your client what is going to happen: "In a few moments, I will put up my hands and you will do the same. The palms of our hands will be facing each other but not touching. When I start to move my hands, yours will follow along – at the same pace, in the same direction. Your eyes will be locked onto mine, though – don't look at your hands, don't look at mine, but let your unconscious awareness pick up the movement of my hands until we come into a perfect rhythm ... almost as if our hands were magnetically linked to each other ... so you will then get a pleasant sensation of relaxedness that will quickly slide into a trance ... so, are you ready?"

2. Put up your hands

3. Have her / him put her / his hands up as well, facing your palms

4. Start moving (in an ambiguous pattern), throwing in a few suggestions such as "Look into my eyes ... don't let your focus wander, but let your hands wander ... in the same pace, in the same direction as mine ... while you relax more and more ... and slowly but steadily go deeper and deeper into a perfect trance ..."

5. If your clients eyelids start to flutter, you can give a suggestion such as "And now ... just let your eyes close ... so they will stay firmly closed whilst you go into a deep trance ... right now"

If they don't flutter, you can just grab one of your client’s hands, quickly pulling it down while saying "Sleep!", while you touch her / his forehead with your other hand

6. Use one hand on your clients head to move it in a circular fashion, "and while your head is moving, you go deeper and deeper into trance ..."

Handshake Interrupt

A classical induction, often used by Milton H. Erickson ...

1. Ask your client to shake your hand

2. Shortly before the actual shake, pull your hand away and grab your clients wrist with either hand; then move your clients hand with her palm facing towards her face up to her face.

3. Apply slow, ambiguous touch and movement while giving suggestions:

"And as you now watch your hand ... and slowly let the entire outside world drift away ... you will feel a changing sensation within you ... a deep relaxation setting in, while you watch the fine lines and pores in your hand and notice a changing focus ... "

4. After a while, you can push your clients hand towards her face, giving the suggestion: "Sleep!"

Neuroscience and hypnosis READ

http://joannejacobs.net/?p=1193

10 Ways to Convert More Customers with Psychology

https://www.helpscout.net/consumer-behavior/

Conversational Hypnosis Milton Model NLP

http://www.key-hypnosis.com/How-to-hypnosis/Write-Hypnosis-Script/R22-Conversational-Hypnosis-Milton-Model.php

Rapid Induction Hypnosis: How to hypnotize almost anyone in the blink of an eye.

(Olf Stoiber)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_B5JM1bRk4 19min in

Dave Elman The Catalyst Induction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhgmmL_TLbI

Dave Elman Induction: Dr. Mike Mandel Demonstrates the Elman Induction WATCH THIS ONE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5rXsq3ZL9o

Dr. Mike Mandel - Breathing with the Hand Hypnotic Induction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2PviW3S0Aw

David Elman induction

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=David+Elman+induction

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dr.+mike+mandel

The Elman Induction

Dave Elman was born David Kopelman, on May 6th, 1900. He died December 5, 1967. As a hypnotist, Elman taught groups of doctors and dentists how to use hypnosis to relieve pain.

His book, Hypnotherapy, origininally titled 'Findings in Hypnosis', evolved from these teaching sessions with medical professionals. It is still widely regarded as a classic - and rightly so.

Elman developed his induction to take people into trance in the shortest possible time. For this reason, it was considered ideal for medical professionals. The script below is Elman's, taken from Hypnotherapy.

Take a long deep breath, fill up your lungs real good and hold it for a second. Now when you exhale, close your eyes down... And let yourself relax. Get rid of that surface tension in your body, let your shoulders relax. It's ok to relax today.

Now put your awareness on your eyelids. You know that you can relax those eyes beautifully. You know that you can relax those eyes so deeply, that as long as you choose not to remove that relaxation, those eyelids just won't work... And when you know that you've done that, hold on to that relaxation, give them a good test, make sure they won't work... And notice how good it feels. Test them hard, it's ok. [pause] that's good. Stop testing let yourself relax much more.

That quality of relaxation you are allowing in your eyes is the quality of relaxation I'd like you to let yourself have throughout your entire body. So take that same quality, bring it up to the top of your head... And send it down through your body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Let go of every muscle. Let go of every nerve. Let go of every fibre... And let yourself drift much, deeper, relaxed. You got it.

Now let's really deepen this state. In a moment I'll ask you to open and close your eyes. When you close your eyes, send a wave of relaxation through your body, so very quickly, you'll allow this physical part of you to relax... Ten times deeper. Just want it and you can have it. Let your eyes become open... Close your eyes... And really... Let go. Feel your body relax, much more. You're doing fine.

In a moment I'll ask you to open and close your eyes again. This time when you close your eyes, double this physical relaxation... Really let it grow twice as deep. Let your eyes become open... Way down... Deeper... Deeper... Relaxed.

In a moment we'll do it one more time... And notice how well it comes in this time as you learn how simple it is... At least double it. All right let your eyes become open... Way down... really let go. That's good. That's good.

In a moment I'm going to lift your right arm and drop it. Don't help me lift that arm... And when it drops down, just notice how much more, your body can relax very easily. [arm drop] perfect. Way down. Great...

Now the body's relaxed... so let's get the mind relaxed, that's really what we want to do. When your mind's relaxed you really can achieve anything you can think of, within certain restrictions of course. In a moment I'll ask you to slowly begin counting out loud, backwards, starting with the number 100. After each number, simply say the words, ‘deeper relaxed'. After each number double your mental relaxation, let your mind grow twice as calm and still and serene. Now if you do this, you'll discover by the time you just say a couple numbers, doesn't take long, you've relaxed your mind so beautifully and so completely, you've actually relaxed all the rest of the numbers out. Want that... And you can have it quickly.

Slowly begin counting out loud, backwards, starting with the number 100. Saying the words, deeper relaxed... And relax those numbers right out of your mind.

"100 deeper relaxed"

That's good.

"99 deeper relaxed"

That's fine.

"98 deeper relaxed."

Now you can let those numbers grow dim and distant, they're not important.

"97 deeper relaxed."

And when you're ready just push them out.

"96 deeper relaxed."

Now push them on out, just tell them to leave and they will go. Just let them go... And let them be gone.

...Numbers all gone ?

"yes."

[Or, continue until yes is the reply]

Science Of Persuasion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw

Hypnotizability: For People Who Think They Can't be Hypnotized

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXxX0_89DLc

Hypnosis: Are You Hypnotizable? Try this and See

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_mK_9T44Ls

Hypnosis: Are You Hypnotizable, pt 2?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdNEIk70Y3U

How to Hypnotize Someone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RjoaNR4pjE

Hypnotist Michael White Demonstrates The 8 Word Induction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Tc6HqdK9Y

Hypnosis Induction Foot Stuck To Floor - Rapid Inductions Seminar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZhe_ELZF4M

Hypnosis Induction - Handshake Inductions - Bandler, Erickson and Elman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN1wxIXr7fI

Hypnosis Inductions - Arm Pull Rapid 'Induction'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVp8wbR5WSg

Hypnosis Without Trance - Rapid Induction Rituals

http://www.hypnosiswithouttrance.com/home-study/rapid-induction-rituals/

John Cerbone's Speed-Inductions

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=John+Cerbone+Speed-Inductions

Speed Trance: Instant Hypnotic Inductions John Cerbone

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S9602

John Cerbone's Speed-Inductions Workshop NYC- Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFWCslLO-W0

Hypnosis - Non Verbal Induction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7BqGe-cG24&list=PL668260F8AFFF2D28&index=1

Non Verbal Hypnosis Induction: Ninja Hypnosis!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kKqqsAB0H4

Rapid Hypnosis Shock Induction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNlFALJMruo

Hypnosis Trick 200% More Effective than Willpower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a__HvN7wAuE

Kreskin explores the power of suggestion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNEEG7OKFk

Learn How To Hypnotise - The Approach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX-7oSmIkOc

How To Attract Anyone You Want With Three Simple Sentences

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upmu_gTO9Lk

Mind Manipulation - 7 Sneaky Secrets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXNmBSLJ6o0

Hypnotism Facts : How to Hypnotize People Secretly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qi5LMN4cQc

... http://has001.s3.amazonaws.com/Hypnotic_Hacks_Resource.pdf

Hypnotism Facts : How to Hypnotize People Quickly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTKMshTJhmI

How To Hypnotize Anyone Secretly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MldFdYzyIuk

Hypnotic Language Patterns that Work? - Covert Hypnosis - Kevin Hogan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-mo9r2tMwo

NLP LECTURE: SPEED ATTRACTION- How To Make Someone Love You In 20 Minutes Or Less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui7h8CTSD_8

Fast Hypnosis - How To Hypnotize Someone (Full Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GORskQuG3Gk

Elman Induction

http://howtodoinductions.com/inductions/elman

Site Navigation

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  • My Friend John

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  • Coin Drop

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  • Look Into My Eyes!

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The Dave Elman induction is easy to understand. The induction uses techniques from four other hypnotic inductions to put someone into hypnosis:

1) progressive muscle relaxation

2) incremental suggestion

3) Instant hypnosis

4) hypnotic countdown

and at each stage the script applies some form of deepener, and then tests for hypnosis.

There are many silly claims made about Dave Elman and his script. By today's standards, the Dave Elman Induction is actually slow and fairly cumbersome. There is nothing great about taking four minutes to put someone into trance. The Elman induction is not a good way to hypnotize someone who is analytical. The Elman induction only became popular because when it was developed, in the 1930s, it was much faster than the progressive relaxation induction, the main induction method at that time. Modern hypnotic induction scripts are much faster and more reliable, and can successfully hypnotize anyone.

Although the Elman induction is slow and doesn't work for everyone, it has the advantage of being easy to learn. Every hypnotist should learn to hypnotize with the Elman technique because it is the basis for many other hypnosis scripts, and following the Elman script will teach you recognise when someone is in trace, and how they behave when they are hypnotized.

Dr. Mike Mandel Demonstrates the Elman Induction / The Elman Induction (produces a rapid somnambulistic trance)

Dave Elman was born David Kopelman, on May 6th, 1900. He died December 5, 1967. As a hypnotist, Elman taught groups of doctors and dentists how to use hypnosis to relieve pain.

His book, Hypnotherapy, originally titled 'Findings in Hypnosis', evolved from these teaching sessions with medical professionals. It is still widely regarded as a classic - and rightly so.

Elman developed his induction to take people into trance in the shortest possible time. For this reason, it was considered ideal for medical professionals. The script below is Mandel /Elman's, taken from Hypnotherapy.

Can you imagine making a fist so tight that you couldn’t possibly squeeze it any tighter?

Subject says yes...you say “sure it’s obvious, anybody can imagine that right”

So can you imagine the opposite relaxing your hand so much that as long as you hold on to that relaxation it just won’t work (subjects nods or says yes) why not, that’s the kind of relaxation, the quality of relaxation, that I want you to get with this induction

In a moment I’m going to ask you to relax the tiny muscles around your eyes so much that as long as you hold on to that relaxation they just won’t work, now any time you want you could open your eyes but I’d rather you hold on to the relaxation and stay in control by keeping them closed – so you move your eyebrows up and down, giving them a good test, and you’ll discover that it’ll feel kind of interesting but as long as you keep those muscles relaxed your eyes just won’t work, so close your eyes now

(Key Phrase – “hold on to the relaxation and stay in control”)

Relax those muscles around your eyes, absolutely, completely, and give them a really good test, put your eyebrows up and down (subject moves eyebrows up and down) and that’s perfect, so stop testing and let a huge wave of relaxation go from the top of your head right down to the soles of your feet

And in a moment I’m going to ask you to open your eyes and I’ll pass my hand in front of your eyes and when I do I’d like you to close your eyes immediately following my hand down and double your relaxation and just go twice as relaxed instantly

So you can open your eyes (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward) and double that relaxation as you follow the hand down

(This is called fractionation, and is a critical part of the Elman induction)

That’s right, make it happen, want it to happen and it will happen, I can’t do it for you......eyes open (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward) and closed again, double it again, just permit yourself to wrap in a warm blanket of relaxation and sink way down, and open (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward) and closed again – double the relaxation – make it happen – want it to happen – and it will happen, that’s right......open (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward) closed again, that’s right, and continue to go deeper, doubling the relaxation every time......and open (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward) and closed, and sink way down relaxed......open (I move my hand from subject’s eye line downward – the 6^th and last time) closed – way, way down

So (say subjects name) in a moment I’m going to pick your right hand up by the thumb, just a few inches to test your relaxation......let me do all the lifting...don’t help me at all...and when I drop your hand it’ll fall just like a wet dishcloth...so I’m gonna pick it up now (I gently shake subject thumb for a few seconds – a few inches above their knee area – then let it drop onto their inner knee area – the hand drop is a test for physical relaxation) that’s it - and perfect relaxation – let another wave of relaxation go through you entire body

Well, this is physical relaxation, but there’s also another side to this which is mental relaxation......and in a moment I’m gonna to begin counting backwards, out loud, from 100 (the number block portion of Elman’s induction) like this – 100, deeper relaxed – and I want you to let those numbers just fade out of you mind, then you say 99 – deeper relaxed – and as you count the numbers will just fade, or drop out of your mind – so after say just a few numbers, there won’t be any left to say...they’ll all be totally gone

So you can mentally relax by counting back from 100 – NOW (subject starts counting backward – when subjects gets to 99 – I say) “now just drop the numbers out of your mind” (“just drop the numbers out of your mind” – I can offer this as a direct command)

All gone (if subject keeps counting) banish the numbers...push them out of your mind...wipe the slate clean

(Subject should have stopped talking – their head may be rolling /nodding slightly from relaxation)

That’s right; just push the numbers out...all gone? (Subject should nod in agreement)

And (subjects name) you can come back to the surface when you realise that you’ve learned even more about hypnosis NOW....subject should begin to “wake up”...if not, count them back into full consciousness

if the person is counting down and down, and the numbers aren’t going – pick up their thumb again and say “ this time when I drop it the numbers will drop out of your mind” and drop it down firmly and say “ALL GONE” and they’ll either say yes or nod......you MUST SAY “GONE” or “ALL GONE”...don’t say are the numbers still there otherwise you’ll bring the numbers all back......you must get a response, either a yes or a nod then you’ll know it’s not a failure but a somnambulistic state

Excellent, so don’t even concern yourself about the numbers...just continue to go deeper and deeper and really enjoy that trance state

If I touch the back of the subjects neck now it’ll feel like ball bearings with the way their head is on the neck, i.e. the head rolls easily...one of the great tests for somnambulism so now will have a somnambulistic trance - we know because we have number block, the mental relaxation of the numbers disappearing completely from their mind – and we have the working state of hypnosis where we can create just about anything we need

...........................................................................

Take a long deep breath, fill up your lungs real good and hold it for a second. Now when you exhale, close your eyes down... And let yourself relax. Get rid of that surface tension in your body, let your shoulders relax. It's ok to relax today.

Now put your awareness on your eyelids. You know that you can relax those eyes beautifully. You know that you can relax those eyes so deeply, that as long as you choose not to remove that relaxation, those eyelids just won't work... And when you know that you've done that, hold on to that relaxation, give them a good test; make sure they won't work... And notice how good it feels. Test them hard, it's ok. [Pause] that's good. Stop testing let yourself relax much more.

That quality of relaxation you are allowing in your eyes is the quality of relaxation I'd like you to let yourself have throughout your entire body. So take that same quality, bring it up to the top of your head... And send it down through your body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Let go of every muscle. Let go of every nerve. Let go of every fibre... And let yourself drift much, deeper, relaxed. You got it.

Now let's really deepen this state. In a moment I'll ask you to open and close your eyes. When you close your eyes, send a wave of relaxation through your body, so very quickly, you'll allow this physical part of you to relax... Ten times deeper. Just want it and you can have it. Let your eyes become open... Close your eyes... And really... Let go. Feel your body relax, much more. You're doing fine.

In a moment I'll ask you to open and close your eyes again. This time when you close your eyes, double this physical relaxation... Really let it grow twice as deep. Let your eyes become open... Way down... Deeper... Deeper... Relaxed.

In a moment we'll do it one more time... And notice how well it comes in this time as you learn how simple it is... At least double it. All right let your eyes become open... Way down... really let go. That's good. That's good.

In a moment I'm going to lift your right arm and drop it. Don't help me lift that arm... And when it drops down, just notice how much more, your body can relax very easily. [arm drop] perfect. Way down. Great...

Now the body's relaxed... so let's get the mind relaxed, that's really what we want to do.

When your minds relaxed you really can achieve anything you can think of, within certain restrictions of course.

In a moment I'll ask you to slowly begin counting out loud, backwards, starting with the number 100.

After each number, simply say the words, ‘deeper relaxed'.

After each number double your mental relaxation, let your mind grow twice as calm and still and serene.

Now if you do this, you'll discover by the time you just say a couple numbers, doesn't take long, you've relaxed your mind so beautifully and so completely, you've actually relaxed all the rest of the numbers out. Want that... And you can have it quickly.

Slowly begin counting out loud, backwards, starting with the number 100. Saying the words, deeper relaxed... And relax those numbers right out of your mind.

"100 deeper relaxed"

That's good.

"99 deeper relaxed"

That's fine.

"98 deeper relaxed."

Now you can let those numbers grow dim and distant, they're not important.

"97 deeper relaxed."

And when you're ready just push them out.

"96 deeper relaxed."

Now push them on out, just tell them to leave and they will go. Just let them go... And let them be gone.

...Numbers all gone ?

"yes."

[Or, continue until yes is the reply]

.............

When I click my fingers (or touch your forehead)

1Hold two fingers (index and middle) in a V shape. Hold your fingers 1 foot (0.3 m) above the person's forehead and ask them to look up, focusing on your fingers without moving their head upwards. This should result in their eyes having to look up. Ensure your fingers are in a position so it is not impossible for the person to see.

2 Ask the person to breathe in and out as you move your hand up and down. They should naturally breathe in as your hand moves up; and breathe out as your hand moves down. You may say "breathe in, and out," during the process of moving your hands, repeating at least 5 times before moving onto step 3.

3 Instruct them to close their eyes as you pass your hand down in front of their face. Repeat the request, continuing step 2 for another two or three times, although ideally they should not know how many times.

4 Suggest that they relax their eyes as much as possible. Relax every muscle around the eyes, so much, that even if they wanted to, their eyes would be so tired, they will not work. Within 30 seconds of telling them how relaxed their eyes are, ask them to try and open their eyes. They will find that they can't. After about 5-10 seconds of trying. Tell them, "OK, stop trying now and just keep relaxing."

5 Instruct them to open and close their eyes, at your request. Once their eyes are closed inform that they're going to "send a wave of relaxation right across your body, so that it is as relaxed as your eyes already are, relaxing twice as much as you already are."

6 Ask them to open their eyes on the count of three. Say, "one, two, three, open your eyes; and shut them." Repeat the process three times, increasing the relaxation each time (suggest that they relax ten times as much the second time, and twenty times as much the third time).

7 Tell them you're going to pick up their right hand. Say to them, "at this point, if you have followed what I have asked you to do, it should be really limp, loosed and relaxed, like a rag," (or something to that effect), "and when I drop it in your lap, you will feel a wave of relaxation throughout your body."

8 Do the same with the left hand.

9 Repeat the above two steps.

10 Suggest that they be as physically relaxed as they can. Encourage them to concentrate on physical relaxation. Instruct them to, at your command, start counting down from 100, following the pattern: "100, deeper relaxed; 99, deeper relaxed; 98, deeper relaxed," advising that after a few numbers, they will forget what the next number is. They will find that the numbers have disappeared from their mind, because it has become so relaxed.

11 Ask them to start counting down. As they count, suggest to them that the numbers are disappearing. Once they've stopped talking, ask them if all the numbers have gone. They may just make a little nod, that is enough.

12 Explain to them the 'Basement of Relaxation technique. Let them know that just as it is possible to tense up and reach the height of tension, it is possible to relax and reach the opposite. Say to them "it is now necessary for 'us'" (note the 'us', this assumes you're not making them do something)"to go to the basement of relaxation".

13 Ask them to imagine they are in a lift. Inform them that when you click your fingers, the lift is going to start going down to floor A, and that to get there they are going to relax completely, twice as much as they are already. When you click your fingers a second time, they are going to be completely relaxed, twice as much, down to floor B; and when you click your fingers a third time, down to floor C. Tell them to let you know when they are at the basement by saying the letter.

14 Click your fingers. Wait for them to say A; repeat with B, and with C. It is worth noting that usually at floor C the letter C sometimes does not seem to come out of the mouth. If this is the case, your attempt at hypnosis is successful (this doesn't mean that if they're able to say C, your attempt is unsuccessful).

15 At this point it is best to suggest re-induction. Say to the person, "if I click my fingers (or touch your forehead) and say sleep, any time today, you will find that you'll instantly return to this lovely deep level of relaxation and concentration. In fact, for every time I click my fingers today and say sleep, you'll go deeper into hypnosis than you were the time before".

16 To continue with hypnosis, use a deepener. A good one would be asking the person to imagine they're at the top of a staircase with 100 stairs, which they can see and feel. On the side of each stair is a number. Each step they take they'll see and feel themselves relaxing twice as much. At the bottom is a large mattress, and when they get there they'll relax completely into the mattress.

17 Ask them to start going down. You can determine how far they are by asking them what number is on the stair.

18 Let them know how they're progressing. Keep suggesting that they're "going deeper and nearer to the mattress; and more relaxed with each breath" as they go down the stairs.

19 Repeat the re-induction suggestions above.

20 They've now reached the bottom of the stairs. Tell them there are balloons filled with helium attached to their wrist, and that they can feel the balloons lifting their wrist into the air. You should see their hands, and arms, visibly rising into the air.

21 Repeat the re-induction suggestions.

22 Advise them that on the count of three they're going to be wide awake. Count to three. Once they're awake start talking about something different for a few minutes, before asking them what they remember. Try the re-induction and if they return to hypnosis, then carry on. If they don't, unfortunately it hasn't worked.

23 At this point you can make suggestions. Suggest they're feeling hot (they could perhaps imagine they're at the beach), and now they're cold; ask them again to imagine they're watching a film, and that it's really really funny, and then scary. Now ask them to open their eyes and remain under hypnosis. You should notice they're able to walk and talk while still in hypnosis. If they wake up and open their eyes, they'll likely inform you that "it didn't work". Try the re-induction and suggest that they will wake up whenever you say the word. If they don't, they may appear to have a blank stare. Continue to make suggestions after suggestions without needing to put them to 'sleep' again.

24 When you have finished, bring them out of hypnosis. Tell them, "on the count of three you will wake up, fully awake and alert, feeling great, and all suggestions will be removed". You could also suggest "you will remember everything you did", or "you won't remember what you did under hypnosis". Then count to three.

25 The person may feel a bit 'dazed' even after hypnosis. This does not mean they're still under hypnosis; however they may be slightly more suggestible for a little while.