a common everyday approach after Erickson

- easy hypnosis contents
- easy hypnosis contents
- an introduction
- 1] laying some easy foundations for easy hypnosis
- welcome to module 1
- what is hypnosis?
- a generic invitation into hypnosis
- a generic invitation into hypnosis - an example
- fail-safe invitation into hypnosis - an example
- using likes as an invitation into hypnosis
- using likes as an invitation into hypnosis - an example
- conversational hypnosis
- conversational hypnosis - a demonstration
- using a previous experience as an invitation into hypnosis
- using a previous experience as an invitation into hypnosis - a demonstration
- catalepsy - what is it and how can we use it?
- arm levitation
- hypnosis as a mood - an invitation through expectancy
- introducing hypnosis to a client
- setting the mood - incorporating external sounds
- setting the mood - incorporating client concerns
- setting the mood - incorporating therapist concerns
- 2] creating easy elements
- 3] creating an easy session format
- 4] easy stories
arm levitation
I've included an audio session building on the catalepsy experience in the previous session. In experiencing it yourself, you can then make your own adaption to applying it to different people. I'd recommend that you play with this yourself, with the opposite hand, with both hands, starting from a cataleptic position, from sitting on a chair with your arms resting on the arms of the chair ...
And then see how others respond - friends, colleagues, clients.
Rather than having a purpose in mind before we start this experience, we can invite the levitation, ask what the client is experiencing, and then adapt that to any problem that they may have.
Have fun playing, and please leave some comments.
23 comments so far

Wonderful. At points it seemed like the movement ceased. But as I focused and allowed myself to become more absorbed in the experience (took my awareness off my hand, to allow the unconscious to do the work) my hand arrived in it's time to my chin. At the moment of "impact" I automatically took a deep breath in and exhaled with a great sense of peace. Beautiful.
This gradual lifting was awkward at first, but I could tell that the less I tried to force it, the more easily my arm lifted. It took a long time, but eventually my fore-finger knuckle touched my cheek. By the time my arm lowered to the chair, I felt very relaxed, and my breathing had slowed considerably. I will try this with a friend.
Felt quite jerky at times, surprised to find my arm slowly lifting. It took a long time however I found this to be a very relaxing exercise.Calming and soothing.
Yes, but I would worry that it wouldn't work for a sceptic, as they would be resisting it - so I might not have the courage to try it. I presume that you have had success with people like this? I guess if I make sure to use permissive language, and validate anything that might be happening for them, then I will minimise that risk.

We can never be certain that anything is going to work, but we can always be totally confident that any client has the possibility of someting working. If we maintain our mood of expectancy, it can erode any scepticism, and it's difficult for someone to remian sceptical after such an experience.
My invitation is to start with our mood of expectancy, and then see what might emerge.

While I allowed my arm to lift ”in it’s own way”, I haven’t lost awareness about my arm lifting. My eyes were closed and I knew that I’d probably finally touch my cheek with my index fnger. So it happened, but the touched point was much lower then I tought, which surprized me. Though the experience was peacefull and relaxing, I felt a little dizzy afterwords and also kind of ”electric tickling” in my face.

How lovely. It took me the entire time of the recording. I had my left elbow supported from the previous catalepsy. I felt a left hand tingle immediately, and I could sense the rising with the breathe. My left shoulder started to hurt very early on. Eyes closed, I stayed aware of not consciously trying to touch the face to get this over with and thus relieve the shoulder discomfort. I was wondering if my neck would bend to drop my face closer to the finger, but it did not. I was quite surprised when by index finger touched on the right side of my chin. I don't know how I would interweave this clinically. No pain, no gain? which is not a notion I resonate with.
Still not getting it.
Could I conduct sessions for other people, with this technique, without the ability to do it on myself ?