Learning hypnosis for entertainment may seem an exclusive and nearly impossible task, but in order to hypnotize someone, all that is needed is:
- Patience
- A willing and trusting (the more of both, the better) subject
- A quiet area
- A comfortable place for them to sit/lie down
- Optional: A book on how to hypnotize, such as Mastering Hypnosis: A Stage Performer's Guide
Does Hypnosis Really Work?
The topic has already been discussed briefly in another article, but rest assured that with enough of the four items above, almost anyone can eventually put someone in a light hypnotic trance. Patience is especially required, as it may take thirty minutes to do hypnosis right with even the most trusting person.
Hypnotherapy and Stage Hypnosis
This guide is specifically for stage hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is a serious therapeutic method that should not be tried casually. While a subject's day can be made brighter with a casual hypnotism, attempting any serious form of serious therapy is unwise, and can do far more harm than good, as well as possibly land a hypnotist in serious legal trouble.
First-Time Hypnosis Nerves
The first time a new hypnotist try to hypnotize someone may be awkward. While there may be a perceived need to be melodramatic, the first time is best left as a casual one. While stage hypnotists do place some drama into their shows for effect, these can be distracting when trying to learn the craft.
Entering Light-Trance Hypnosis
To begin, no pocket watch is needed (but if one is available, they work well), or any dangling object. All that is needed is a point in space where the patient can easily focus. The upper corner of a wall can work, so long they look up to see it. Looking up high makes their eyes tire out faster, and allows easier entrance into a hypnotic state.
Once they are comfortable, they should be told to focus on the agreed-upon point or object, and be spoken to in a calm but firm voice. They should only focus on that object and on the sound of the hypnotist's voice. After this is repeated multiple times, and once they seem fully focused on both, the goal becomes to have the subject shut their eyes to eliminate external distractions.
If done well, the subject's eyes should begin to flutter. This shows they are already lightly hypnotized, and are already very open to suggestion. The hypnotist then asserts that the subject's eyes are growing heavy and tired, and that they want to fall asleep. They may appear to fall asleep, but unless snoring is heard, everything is going according to plan.
It is important that the subject is told regularly that they are growing more comfortable and more relaxed with every breath, and that they are quickly falling into deep sleep. Often imagery is useful, like they are on a cloud or on a gentle ocean. Keeping them relaxed, happy, and comfortable, and soon their eyes should be fast shut, their body relaxed, and they are in a medium state of hypnosis
Waking Up From Hypnotism
At this stage it is important to be patient. The hypnotist must continue to assert that they are comfortable and relaxed. If left alone, a person will naturally return back to normal consciousness. To keep them at the level of hypnosis they are at now or make it deeper, they must be told frequently that they are going deeper and deeper into sleep.
Some subjects will wake up, at first. They may even apologize to the magician, saying it is their fault. It's difficult for a first-time subject to let go willingly of their sense of control. All that is needed in this case is for a patient to readjust for comfort, and begin the process immediately after. It should take less effort to reach the same state they were in before waking up.
How to Talk to A Hypnotized Subject
- Repetition is crucial.
- Maintain a calm and quiet voice.
- Tell them what they are about to do before they do it. Let their mind process what is being said.
- Repetition is crucial.
- React to what they are doing: don't tell them their eyes are getting tired if they are already closed
- Repetition is crucial.
With any luck, they are ready for the next phase: deeper-state hypnosis!
References:
- Mastering Hypnosis: A Stage Performer's Guide
Frank Yeats - Frank Yeats is a graduate of West Texas A&M University with a degree in English. He writes plays, short stories and poetry. His long-term ...
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