Hypnosis Inductions

Hypnosis inductions are very important, and there are many different types of hypnotic inductions. Many of them overlap and many hypnotists switch from one to another effortlessly. Here are a few of the more common hypnosis inductions that you can learn:

Relaxation

Simply talking through a simple body relaxation is usually the first method a hypnotist learns. This is a good method to learn first because you can work at whatever speed you like and adjust your induction to a rate that is comfortable to you and your client. An example script is here.

This method is based on a couple of principles; Firstly that the client is concentrating on different bodily sensations which controls the persons focus, and secondly that the hypnotists voice and words will lead them into the relaxed mental state as their body relaxes.

Leading

This is a more advanced method than the standard relaxation method, and is based around the hypnotist being able to simply get into a trance state and, through rapport, pull the client down with them. There is an example script here.

Visualization Induction

Similar to a general relaxation induction, and just as simple. This method involves leading the client into a trance through visualizing a relaxing situation. There is an example script here.

Personal Power

This technique is quite difficult to achieve unless the client is used to trance states or the hypnotist is extremely 'powerful'. It's probably the hardest of the hypnosis inductions to get right. The technique is simply about telling the client to drop into a trance with so much conviction that they do exactly what you ask. Not an easy technique for a beginner, but very impressive if you can pull it off.

Confusion

This technique is based upon giving the conscious mind so much information that the conscious mind is overloaded. The client basically gives up trying to follow andl simply takes the suggestion to relax simply as it’s the easiest option.

Interruption Technique (Rapid Induction or Instant Hypnosis)

The most well known interruption technique is the handshake interrupt. This technique is based upon the concept that a handshake is a single act. To break a handshake, once the process has started, leaves the client confused and with no clear action to take. The hypnotist then fills that void with their instructions. The technique used by TV evangelists who lay people on the floor simply by tilting their head back is another variation on this theme – though they would obviously suggest otherwise. There is an example script here.

Conclusions

These are a few of the general hypnosis inductions, though usually a hypnotist will use a combination of techniques depending upon their preferences and the client. Some clients seem to demand a very formal hypnotic induction (as that is what they think is what should happen), others are happy to drift in and out of trance at the slightest suggestion.

For most people, the best way to learn hypnosis is to work on relaxation and visualization techniques and add in more and more language patterns as you become more proficient. There are several scripts on this site that you can dissect to gain a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve.
It is also important that you are able to enter deep trance states yourself, so practice self-hypnosis regularly too.

Often during NLP interventions and any thought-heavy process there are moments when the client is concentrating internally in such a way that it is very easy to take them into a deeper trance state. This use of the clients state is a very useful technique, and as you practice you will begin to notice the moments that arise when it is very easy to allow the client to drift into trance almost on their own, making the hypnotists work much simpler and much more elegant.