Introduction The Floating Candle was created as a variation of eye-fixation, for those seeking to use their imagination during the induction. Transcript What I would like you to do is just imagine a candle, up on the wall. It could be on a shelf, on some kind of old-time candle-holder fixed to the wall, or just floating in mid-air, over there. And just let me know when you can see it. -- “I can see it.” Good. And all I really need you to do… [Hypnotist begins to speak more slowly, mainly on the client's exhalations] [spacer height="1.5em"] ...is keep your eyes resting on that candle and noticing whatever you notice. And I wonder, is that candle lit? -- “Yes,...

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Introduction The Eye-fixation induction is an old favourite, used by the likes of Dr. James Braid. (James Braid was a Scottish-born physician practicing during the mid-nineteenth century. He is also remembered as the person who gave us the term hypnosis from the Greek god Hypnos, the god of sleep.) The Eye Fixation Induction makes a valuable addition to your induction toolbox. Transcript From where you are sitting comfortably, you can just pick a spot on the wall in front of you... perhaps the corner of the picture, or that spot on the wall there where the reflection is creating a small rainbow. Great. Now, let your eyes rest on that... and just look at that point... just keep focusing on...

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Introduction This technique can be employed using either a pen, a pencil or a coin. It is particularly effective with children. Ask the subject to get a coin and hold it out in front of their body between the thumb and index finger. Tell them to grip it in a secure way. Transcript Now close your eyes and think of that [pen or pencil, or] coin between the thumb and index finger of your right hand... Now breathe in deeply and exhale slowly five times... Each time you inhale you bring more oxygen into your lungs. It passes from your lungs into your heart, and your heart pumps it into your circulatory system. It moves through your whole body, and...

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Introduction Stephen Brooks teaches this induction on his Diploma course. I will never forget the day I saw him sit down with a stranger and simply talk them into trance. I now use it regularly and it has never failed me! This is a great example of overt conversational hypnosis, that can incorporate a number of different elements from other inductions on this site. It relies heavily on revivification and the recognition that people experience trance (or at least something like it) numerous times in their daily lives. Utilising those experiences is non-threatening and enjoyable for the hypnotee. Transcript Tell me about a time when you found yourself doing something you were totally engrossed in. Something you enjoyed, something you...

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Introduction The 'Fake-it-till-you-Make-it' Induction might be seen as a combination of revivification (see The Leisure Induction) and fractionation (see The Fractionation Conversation). Along with those two - and My Friend John - it ranks as one of my favourites. This induction involves taking the client along a 4 stage process of: 1. Pretending to be hypnotised2. Imagining they are hypnotised3. Experiencing what it feels like to be hypnotised4. Being under hypnotic 'trance' Of course, in reality, the difference between those stages is one of degree, not kind, but it helps the subject to frame it this way. The inspiration for this induction came from Steven Heller's excellent Monsters and Magical Sticks (There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis). Some ideas have also been borrowed from Igor Ledochowski's...

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Introduction This is a simple yet effective way to set-up a post-hypnotic re-induction. PHRIT is useful for teaching clients to respond to post-hypnotic suggestions, as well as saving time in subsequent sessions. It works by essentially teaching the client how to respond progressively. As such, it is perfect for hypnotists who lack experience in working with post-hypnotic suggestions, or who worry that they lack the confidence to pull off a re-induction. Transcript [Begin by inducing a light trance, or simply helping the client to relax. Then say:] [spacer height="1.5em"] Now that you've seen how quickly you can relax, I would like you to know that the next time you take four deep breaths, on the 4th breath out you can...

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Introduction 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. Transcript 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...

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Introduction The following induction is my own version of Richard Nongard's Fractionation with Discussion induction. Richard's version appears in his excellent introductory text, Inductions and Deepeners. My version of the Fractionation induction, is clearly inspired by Nongard's. I use his key elements, but have re-worded much of it and added a pre-talk that involves a number of embedded commands. Having said that, as you'll see, the beauty of this induction is that it is virtually all pre-talk! (I've italicised some of these commands, but I'm sure you'll spot a load more, including spelling 'mistakes' and pronunciation 'errors'!) Transcript Before you experience hypnosis, I want you to experience what it feels like to be hypnotised before you actually go into trance. How is that?...

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