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How to Do the Erickson Handshake to Interrupt an Induction

Hypnosis is a mental state in which an individual's mind and body relaxes; it is believed to leave an individual open to persuasive suggestion. Although most people associate hypnosis with the stereotypical swinging pendulum, there are a variety of hypnosis methods used by trained hypnotists. During an entertainment show the Erickson handshake is a crowd-pleasing way of putting a volunteer under. The handshake uses interruption induction, in which the hypnotist gets the volunteer to perform a routine activity then confuses the mind by interrupting the act.

Instructions

    • 1

      Approach the volunteer with a smile on your face and your right hand extended as if about to give a handshake.

    • 2

      Drop your right hand at the last second and instead grab his extended wrist with your left hand. This interruption of a routine gets his mind racing to process the situation.

    • 3

      Lift his right hand up before his face, creating the feeling of a threat.

    • 4

      Turn the volunteer's hand so his palm is facing him.

    • 5

      Look from his hand to his eyes, conveying a facial expression that implies something is amiss.

    • 6

      Watch his eyes for the sign they are beginning to glaze over, then jerk his hand down and shout "Sleep!"

    • 7

      Reach out and catch the individual as he will go limp if you were successful, and you should not let him fall as he could be hurt.

    • 8

      Speak comforting words to the individual as soon as you catch him, telling him that he is in a place of peace and everything is okay. You only have a brief window after the interruption induction before his brain processes the situation and starts up normally again to begin the hypnotic state.

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