Speed Hypnosis . . .
. . . . really fast quick inductions . . .

There is a discussion at the moment at the Hypnosis Technique Exchange on when and where and how to use fast quick inductions. A question was asked from someone who has seen a lot of videos on the internet of people doing fast hypnosis indcutions . . . similar to the ones I have posted freely online (see the "video" section of my webpages at http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for a whole slew of them).

The querant is curious about using instant and fast inductions but he is not sure when he should do so as he doesn’t want a client to come in and attempt an instant induction and then have it fail.

Well . . . as anyone and everyone who knows me and hypnotic interests knows . . . I LOVE SPEED HYPNOSIS . . . the instant and really fast and rapid inductions are the ones I just love to use and I don’t just use them in my comfy office or in my hypnosis stage show . . . although I use them there too . . . I love to use them in all sorts of contexts and all sorts of environments . . .

If the embedded player software does not begin streaming the video, then right click and click on the "about" links to install the latest shockwave or flash on your system.

One person suggested that the querant take a stage hypnosis class. He is right . . . a stage hypnosis class is a good way to go.

I’m one of the guys with videos all over the internet . . . also there are explanation videos on my video blog Hypnocast . . . check the video section on my webpages at http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for a number of online videos, most of which use instant/rapid inductions of the sort you describe.

If you can take a stage hypnosis class (I happen to be teaching Introduction to Stage Hypnosis Sept. 4-8), it will go a long ways towards getting you started . . . especially if it’s a demonstration and practice class.

Or, take a class that specializes in instant and rapid inductions (coincidentally, I am teaching just such a two-day intensive course on Speed Hypnosis this coming Nov. 18-19).   This is a very very comprehensive intensive course.

It really is as simple as described. There isn’t any good reason to be fearful of it not working. Just as with other inductions, the hypnotist needs confidence that it WILL work or he will telegraph that to the client and burn his bridges.

If you can’t come to any of my classes on the subject . . . then take a look at Ormond McGill’s stage hypnosis book (the massive big blue one is the best) and run through the inductions there form a to z. There are some good videos out there you can learn from as well. Jerry Kein has some good general stuff, Cal Banyan’s bit is straightforward, Tom Silver has a nice informative set as well.

However, all the training and knowledge in the world won’t help unless you actually DO the inductions. The advantage of practical competence courses is that they consist of demonstration and practice. In my upcoming Speed Hypnosis course, students will be doing these things right and left . . . and they will also have homework to do it outside with real people in the evening between course days.

You’ve got the basic understanding . . . so, play with it. If you don’t yet have that confidence or skillset up to where you need it to be then take additional training from someone who works in an experiential paradigm.

One response to the quearant was a suggestion that he first use an Elman type induction in the initial session and then install a posthypnotic trigger to instantly be hypnotized with a hand drop style instant induction from then on.

I agree this is a reasonable way to go. A reinduction trigger is something all hypnotists should use for folks who they will be seeing regularly . . . although I have found that even when I "forget on purpose" to install such a trigger, it isn’t really required. Once you’ve guided someone into state and have the hypnotic contract and they have experienced full imaginative involvement then at that point the induction becomes pretty much immaterial, they’ll "pop" pretty much regardless of what you do . . . albeit, a formal posthypnotic reinduction trigger is a very good idea and should be standard operating procedure.

If it’s someone you have worked with before . . . or someone who has been hypnotized by someone else before . . . then there is really no reason why you would not have success with any instant induction. Here’s a short video on how to do my variation of the arm pull which you might give a go . . . Phillips Arm Pull Instant Hypnosis Induction . . . the demonstrational part of that was done outside of a McDonald’s on a busy day at the Zoo Mall in Taipei, Taiwan, a crowded noisy place. Or, use any of the variations you are already familiar with.

While I would consider such a posthypnotic reinduction trigger to be one form of an instant induction, I wouldn’t consider it the same as other instants. It’s reasonable hedging of bets. However, instants will still work fine as long as you have the Hypnotic Contract and you’ve sufficiently raised a person’s expectations to the point that they have intensified imaginative involvement . . . then, as the great hypnotist Dave Elman said, ANYTHING can and will serve as an induction.

If Elman can hypnotize people by blowing three puffs of smoke in their eyes then you can pop ’em with a hand drop. If Terrance Ballinger can train a hypnotizing dog, then you can train yourself to use the handshake.

As long as you’ve removed fears and have engaged expectations by intensifying imaginative involvement then an instant or rapid will work.

Speed Hypnosis techniques are particularly helpful later in the day when people are a bit more tired and less likely to be able to hold concentration during a longer induction. While I tend to use the pattern Moses suggested with most clients . . . Elman (albeit I use the Phillips-Elman Induction variation) plus installation of posthypnotic reinduction triggers . . . late in the day or evening I will normally use an abbreviated version of my induction or instant even with new trance partners I’ve not worked with before and lately I’ve just gone straight to an instant for most folks, albeit, I will use several convincer patterns as deepeners.

I like to do hypnosis in all sorts of places, not just my comfy office, so I will sometimes be in environments that are not conducive to floaty-floaty relaxation. In such circumstances a good solid rapid will do you well. Note the variety of locations and forms of inductions used in the video at my course description for the upcoming Speed Hypnosis class . . . it’s pretty straightforward stuff.

However, as Steve noted in his own hesitancy to employ these sort of inductions with clients, it does take getting over that mental hump and actually learn to have confidence in the techniques and in yourself. Just as many people will read about hypnosis for years before ever "trying" an induction with an actual living person for fear of failure, speed hypnosis techniques require getting past that headspace of fear and unsureness and into the realm of knowing it WILL work for you.

For more information on my courses in this and other subjects, see the "classes and training" section of the webpages at http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com . . . the course is taught in English with Chinese interpretation for those who need it.

All the best,
Brian

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STAGE, PERFORMANCE, ENTERTAINMENT HYPNOSIS – Sept. 4-8, 2006
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Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com