How to Hypnotize a Person

Is there any simple ways to hypnotize a person? The answer is yes, but firstly let’s discuss a fundamental thing or two about the subject of hypnosis. You may know that hypnosis refers to a person being in a consciousness level called “trance-like state”, whereby the person become more aware and focused on his/her inner being and susceptible to suggestions of ideas.

Many have cartoon-like preconceptions about the idea of hypnotizing a person, one may imagine that it can make someone obey absurd orders like, barking  like a dog, or jump out from the window, while this clearly is a wrong picture of hypnosis. For you try to hypnotize someone, obviously you need some guidance on how to do it, but your willingness to try and follow the suggested simple steps can yield great result!

Before hypnotizing your subjects, you need to let the subjects know what you intended to do, and what will happen to them if you do, the purpose is to reassure the subjects and make them feel comfortable and relaxed. If your subjects  are too worried or conscious to what you are about to do, you can perform a relaxation session prior to the main hypnosis session. Have your subjects close the eyes if they are willing, but do not force it if they don’t want to. Ask your subjects to control their rate of breathing, gradually.  Honesty is very important, because if hypnosis is treated as a game, the consequence can very serious.

In hypnotizing a person, the main and the most powerful tool is your voice, so be cautious of what you say. Start with something assuring like “you are doing great! Now this is what I am going to do, I am going to explain how hypnosis is being done, then we will do a small little trial, after which we will come back to this current state, it’s just to let you dip your toe into the water and have a taste of how it is like, if you feel like doing it, we will go deeper ok?” wait for the subject to answer “OK” then keep the conversation going.

Next, say to your subject “as we go through this hypnosis session, slow down your breathing, relax your facial muscles and be still, can you do that?” wait for the answer “yes” and go on saying “let’s start with your eyes open, as you feel like you are able to close your eyes, then go ahead, you may not feel like moving your body later, this is because you are feeling comfortable, do you understand? …  Are you ready to start?” wait for an affirmative answer and start when it is given.

As you say “start” you are actually trying to reproduce the sensations of hypnosis that you yourself experienced on your subject. As you continue with the “staircase” exercise, you may notice subject’s shoulders begin to drop, breathe rate slows down and facial muscles relax. As you notice those signs, say encouraging words like “good” “excellent” or “you are doing well”.

To master the art of hypnotizing a person it takes time. Ask the subject about their experiences being hypnotized by you, and tell them that the sensations that they are feeling are going to happen quicker and more intense with each session. Questions can be asked in the following way “So, how was it like for you to be in…? What did you feel?” wait for subject to list down the answers, then continue saying “you did great, this is a skill that you’ve learned, so, we will get faster and deeper as we repeat it, are you ready to do it again? …”.  Some subjects report that they experienced slight difficulty swallow because their throat were relaxed, and some told the story how the “heavy” sensation on their arms.

After 2 to 3 repeated session, you may actually discover that these simple techniques make your subject more relaxed, the steps described in this article aim to bring your subject to a level whereby they are susceptible to your suggestion, so as you continue with the later steps of hypnosis, what you say are like seed planted in their subconscious mind, where they will sprout, take root and grow. Remember practice makes perfect!