Hypnotic Induction Techniques



Arm-Drop Method


Instructions to Hypnotist


The subject is asked to raise an arm so that the hand is slightly above
the head and given suggestions. There are a number of aspects of this
induction which are worthy of special notice. First, the arm is placed in
such a position that fatigue will eventually bring it down. The downward
movement is tied into going "down" into a "deep state of relaxation." The
harder the individual keeps fighting to hold it up, the more he is
committed to the proposition implied by the statement that, "You will not
go into a deep state of relaxation until the arm is all the way down."
This means, of course, that, "You will go into such a state when the arm
comes all the way down."


Spoken to subject


(Have subject raise arm so that hand is slightly above head) Stare at one
of the fingers, either the index or the middle finger. You may continue to
look at it, or, if you wish, close your eyes and visualize it in your
mind's eye. As you fixate your gaze on it you will notice that the other
fingers tend to fade out of focus and that your entire arm begins to feel
heavier and heavier. The longer you concentrate on that finger the heavier
and heavier your arm becomes. But you will not go into a deep state of
relaxation until the arm has come all the way down. Keep concentrating on
that finger while the arm gets heavier and heavier and heavier. (When
downward movement become apparent) Notice that as the arm is getting
heavier it is slowly coming down, down, down. But you will not relax into
a deep and profound state of relaxation until the arm is all the way down.
Going down, down, down, deeper, deeper, deeper. (Continue deepening
comments: The suggestions must be timed with the actual movement of the
arm)





Arm Levitation Method I


Instructions to hypnotist


This induction (or deepening) technique requires that the hypnotist gauge
the pace of the suggestions to the response of the subject.


Spoken to the subject


I'm going to count from one up to twenty. As I do, a light, easy, pleasant
feeling moves into your right hand and into your right arm. As I continue
counting, that feeling grows stronger and stronger. Soon you'll feel the
first slight movement of your fingers, a twitching of the muscles. (At
this point, grasp the subjects arm and demonstrate how it will move as you
continue with the following suggestions). Then your hand begins to lift.
Your arm begins to lift. It continues moving, lifting, and rising until it
comes to rest upon your body.


Now when you feel the movement in your hand and in your arm, don't try to
resist. You could resist if you chose to, that is not why you are here.
Just let your subconscious mind do its perfect work. All right, now we are
ready to begin.


Number One - The first light, easy sensation moves into the fingertips of
your right hand.


Number Two - The feeling is spreading around beneath the fingernails.


Number Three - It is moving up to the first joint of the fingers.


Number Four - Spreading to the large knuckle across the back of the hand.


Number Five - the first slight movements begin to start taking place.
Slight movements of the fingers, a twitching of the muscles.


Number Six - The light sensation spreads all across the back of your hand.


Number Seven - Spreading over and into your thumb.


Number Eight - Moving now all through the palm of your hand.


Number Nine - The light sensation spreads up and into your wrist. Think of
your left hand now. You'll see by comparison, your left hand is beginning
to feel very, very heavy.


While on Number Ten your right hand grows lighter and lighter with each
number I count; just as light as a feather floating in the breeze and even
lighter. As light as a gas-filled balloon. Just as a gas-filled balloon
will rise and float towards the ceiling, in the same way, by the time I
reach the count of twenty, your right hand is moving, lifting, rising and
floating.


Number Eleven - The light sensation has moved beyond your wrist now,
spreading into your forearm.


Number Twelve, Thirteen - Once again, think of your left hand. Your left
hand has grown so heavy, it feels as though it were made of marble or
stone.


Number Fourteen - That light sensation is spreading up toward your elbow.


Now on Fifteen - From the fingertips all the way up to the elbow your hand
has grown light, light and free. It's beginning to lift. It's moving,
lifting, rising and floating.


(At this point, if the hand is not moving, gently lift the hand to get it
started)


All right, Sixteen - Now your arm is moving and lifting and rising. And as
your arm is lifting, you're going deeper and deeper into hypnosis.


Seventeen - Your hand continues moving, lifting and rising now until it
comes to rest over on your body.


Eighteen - Moving, lifting, rising, floating. Right on over now and when
your hand comes to rest upon your body, at that time your eyelids lock
tightly closed. Your eyelids lock so tightly closed at that point, the
more you try to open them the tighter they're locking closed.


Nineteen - Your hand is getting ready to come down and rest upon your
body.


Twenty - Now your hand has come to rest upon your body and at the same
time, your eyelids are locked so tightly closed, the more you try to open
your eyelids the tighter they are locking closed.


That's fine, stop trying and go deeper into trance.