NEW HYPNOTIST-WHERE TO START

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Permalink Reply by Jan Krüger on August 9, 2010 at 9:08am

Welcome to HypnoThoughts, Matt! Yeah, hypnosis is a really fascinating kind of thing, isn't it? I still get a huge kick out of it every time I can help somebody achieve something.

Can you tell us what books you've read? That will give me a better idea of what other books to recommend, so that you get as many different views on hypnosis as possible... and so of them are really different. Personally I believe that there is a bit of truth to every view you find around, so the more different stuff you find, the more sides to hypnosis you will become aware of.

When someone claims that instant inductions don't give you a serious foundation, I understand where they are coming from, but it's not that simple. Being a (or the) hypnotist is more than just following a step-by-step guide for an induction, that's what they're probably trying to say. It's about developing a refined sense of what will work with which person and when, and choosing the right approach from the ones you know for any given situation. It's about knowing when to wait, when to clear up misunderstandings first, in what way to present your hypnosis stuff to the other person, etc. It's also (or so most of us will say) about giving people hypnotic experiences that will be entertaining to watch for others, but at the same time leave a positive impact on the folks you hypnotize.
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is sort of "the" classic induction, but it's certainly not the best or the only induction. Relaxation has its uses, but you don't strictly need it for hypnosis, nor is PMR the only way to get it.

One thing I can tell you is that once you have good sources (I'll give you a few pointers once I know what you've read so far), it's very, very important to actually practice the stuff they tell you. You are, quite simply, not going to become a good hypnotist just by reading about it. Nobody has ever become a great hypnotist just by reading about theory. One of the best ways to do that is to find yourself at least one other person interested in learning about hypnosis, too, and practice together.

There are lots of people here on HypnoThoughts who will be happy to answer more questions you have, explain their point of view, comment on your ideas and perhaps even demonstrate things live. There are also tons of videos posted here, demonstrating all kinds of fun things. Apart from reading books, I'd definitely recommend looking around to see what's going on on HT.

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Permalink Reply by Mathieu Brendel on August 9, 2010 at 5:22pm

Well I've read "Reality Is Plastic" and a whole program on one of those rip-off websites. But i've literally opened up as many links as i could so far to read about hypnosis.
Thanks for the valuable information. I was wondering if it actually was possible to perform an instant induction such as the Arm-Pull Induction without having even spoken to the subject yet. Just literally walking up to a stranger "introducing" yourself and just perform the induction. Any thoughts?
I've read it was bad to try to learn to be the hypnotist by practicing on a parent, since they dont know you to be the hypnotist. but if you can get it right on them, it seems to be logical you'll be able to get anyone else after that. Thoughts on this?
Looking forward to your input and to putting my first subject under hypnosis (with consent) :)

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Permalink Reply by Roger Moore on August 9, 2010 at 9:10pm

Hi Matt
Get to know Nathan here on HT. He has International Association for Teenage Hypnotists

Its great to have you here.

Roger

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Jacquin on August 10, 2010 at 3:53am

Hi Matt,

thanks for buying my book. If you do nto have the free RIP Reloaded supplement email me direct and I will send it to you.It goes over lots of details on approaching people, which of course is one of the things that stops people getting practice.

I would certainly encourage you to join IATH. Lots of people in your position have got started with Nathan's guidance.

What I feel I must say to you is this, right now you do not need ny further techniques. I know the temptation is to keep searching for the perfect technique. But that search will not help you get started.

Master the approach, set up and set piece exercises in RIP. Once you have done that and can do it anywhere anytime then move onto one or two inductions you like.

Learn rapid and be able to back it up with some indirect language skills.

If you want more books then
Deeper and Deeper by Jon Chase
Training Trances by Overdurf should be on your list.

Stay in touch with any questions.

Anthony

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on August 10, 2010 at 6:34am

I'm particularly fond of these two books:

Ormond McGill's Encyclopedia of Hypnotherapy--it's got a little bit of everything
Monsters and Magical Sticks by Heller and Steele

You can read reviews of other books and videos at my blog: http://www.realhypnosisreviews.blogspot.com/

My advice--which I know some will not agree with--would be to go ahead and practice with slower inductions first: progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, autogenic work. The reason is that those don't require that your timing be all that great or that you have the unshakable confidence of "The Hypnotist." Once you have a little practice with the slower methods, then go for the rapids. Ride a tricycle, then a bike, then a unicycle, right?

Also, work on deepeners. Even rapid inductions need deepeners in most cases.

And when looking at YouTube vids of rapid inductions, remember that only the most spectacular ones get posted. Back when I hardly knew anything about rapids, I could have filmed for one day and had 25 crappy videos and one that made me look like a genius. Guess which one I would have posted.

Best of luck in your endeavors,

James

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on August 10, 2010 at 6:40am

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the wonderful world of hypnosis! You are like my own 16 yr old son who recently dove in. He's finding that learning how to hack his own mind is changing his life in a good way.

I heartily suggest that you find someone who will help YOU experience hypnotic trance in person. Most of us here had life-changing moments that came via hypnosis and having that perspective adds a lot to becoming a proficient hypnotist. You will probably need parental permission for this, but I'm sure that your parents have no problem with you becoming a better you!

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Melany Cohen on August 10, 2010 at 6:56am

Hey Matt,

I think its awesome that you're so curious about hypnosis. I wish I had been exposed to it earlier in life. Whether or not you use a rapid or progressive induction depends on what your goal is. If you're doing street hypnosis or stage hypnosis, rapid inductions are the quickest and easiest way to get people under. If you're doing THERAPY, on the other hand, I personally think progressive relaxation helps the subject go deeper so that they can get the full benefit of therapy.
If you can get out to HMI (in Tarzana), I would highly recommend taking their Hypnosis Intro course (its free and very very useful!)
Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions you have along the way!

:)
Melany

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Permalink Reply by Mathieu Brendel on August 10, 2010 at 7:20am

Melany,

In what regard is HMI very useful? Is it a session of hands-on experience or more of a basic understanding of hypnosis?
I'm looking to practice what i've learned from my readings since i dont really know how to perform an induction and if i have to practice a "set piece" or a sort of warm-up on them first.

Thanks for the input guys

Matt

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on August 10, 2010 at 7:36am

I've found that applying Jacquin's methods, the set-piece is really useful as a lead-in. It acquires that leverage that Jacquin talks about.

Mathieu Brendel said:

Melany,

In what regard is HMI very useful? Is it a session of hands-on experience or more of a basic understanding of hypnosis?
I'm looking to practice what i've learned from my readings since i dont really know how to perform an induction and if i have to practice a "set piece" or a sort of warm-up on them first.

Thanks for the input guys

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Mathieu Brendel on August 10, 2010 at 2:10pm

So what would be a good sequence or chain of "tests" to consistently put a subject under?

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Jacquin on August 10, 2010 at 3:11pm

I typically encourage those new to this kind of rapid hypnosis to follow these steps. You can drop some or all of them later in your development.

Firstly 'approach'. Be able to start a hypnotic encoutner anywhere anytime should you wish to.
Set up. If required be able to further fascinate, deal with misconceptions and physically and mentally nudge your participants where you need them to be.
Set Piece. I normally do one or two exercises. Mag fingers and hands will do fine. It is what you observe, feedback and encourgage that is of value. Do not think of such things as just warm ups or tricks. Most of your work can be done here.
Master two similar inductions. Like the handshake and/or some kind of eye fixation. I normally use their palm.
Know where to go next. That means your patter following the word 'sleep' should be solid and delivered confidently. There is a fair bit to say at this point and it seems to be where many people let themselves down, often because they are too focussed on inductions. It is what follows it that counts.
Do some simple physical analogue routines (like arm levitation) followed by making them laugh. Move onto physical binary routines (like hand stuck, eyes stuck, then cognitive phenomena like amnesia or name changes, then into hallucinations.

Do that and all will be good.
One step at a time though :)

Anthony
www.headhacking.com

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Permalink Reply by Mathieu Brendel on August 11, 2010 at 7:58am

i was not hypnotized. i saw my friend hypnotize multiple people consecutively.

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