Should I get Sleepy?: The Induction
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Induction is the process a Hypnotist leads to induce hypnosis. This can be anything from hyperfocus, to guided meditation, to even just listening to monotonous noises. whatever it is, It's opening the unconscious to concentrate on the hypnotist.

Hypnosis is not exactly a 'state' you attain. It's a means of communication you have with a hypnotist and candid parts of your mind you normally keep to yourself. Think of it as a deeply honest conversation paired with meditation. Everyone is receptive at different levels. Some might go under shockingly easy, and other might not be able to sink at all. That's okay. Much like any skill, it takes a lot of practice to do this reliable both for the hypnotist and the subject.

But as you start to guide someone under, so much trust is in your hands to keep them safe and relaxed. It is essential you should hold yourself to a standard to make sure they have a positive, relaxing experience. You should know when to gently wake them if something feels off, or they need to address a distraction or pressing matter.

There's actually no singular way to induce a trance. In fact there are so many methods out there I haven't even attempted myself that some swear by. it all comes down to taste and what's best for your subject.

Mike Mandel, a hypnotherapist, cites that there's something all inductions should have regardless of technique: Confidence, Congruence, and Conviction. You should maintain optimism, a consistency in your tone and presentation, and remain resolute in your objective. Subjects are very receptive to a hypnotist's presentation, if you're uncertain, they're uncertain.

Another thing that can help with induction is the perceived prestige of the hypnotist. A big reason why I personally have a lot of success with first time subjects is because I have a long standing reputation as a hypnotist that people have grown to trust. Any success story I have builds upon it, and any mistake I make is followed up with transparency and an effort to improve for next time. A chef that boldly claims they've never had a botched meal is not one that you should trust.

A few notable examples of inductions:
Fascination, AKA, Eye Fixation (one of the earliest methods pioneered by James Braid, staring on a point or a pattern)

Relaxation (controlled breathing, soft voices, and tensing and relaxing muscles)

Handshake (tugging at the wrist or pulling someone forward to disrupt a common introduction cue)

Guided Visualization (telling a story representing your descent into trance)

External Focus (using any type of thing to fixate on from a song or a rhythm or even a chant)

Catalepsy (Descriptions of limbs growing immobile, or rigid as the body shuts down to focus on the mind)

Confusion (Speaking in seeming looping nonsense or jumping from topic to topic to confuse the listener until they zone out)

Swish Pattern (using sensory indicators to guide the subject to dimmer, more subtler reactions.

Fractionation (rapid wakening and sinking to make each subsequent deepening more effective)

Dave Elman Induction (utilizing instruction of opening and closing the eyes and hand dropping to physically relax the body paired with counting and distracting the listener)



There are many many others that have been developed over the years, what's your favorite?

Art by  Lager