Last updated: 31 August 2016
When it comes to helping a subject overcome any skepticism, there’s nothing quite like an arm levitation to stop a doubting mind abruptly in its tracks.
But what if the subject you’re trying to hypnotize strongly believes that even this “go-to” technique doesn’t work on them?
In this impressive 25-minute demo, master hypnotist Igor Ledochowski uses a variety of distraction methods to help a subject who has previously failed to experience (and even mentally blocked) an arm levitation.
Not only does Igor help the subject overcome this issue and experience an arm levitation, he also manages to make him go so immobile that he ends up getting “stuck” to his chair.
Interested in discovering how to execute this technique to precision so you can do the same? Watch Part 2 for Igor’s step-by-step breakdown.
Find out more about Advanced Ericksonian Hypnosis Techniques.
Thank you Igor. I really loved this demonstration, it was so enjoyable as it clearly reminded me of my first arm levitation years ago when I was learning hypnosis. The amazement and joy I felt along with the confirmation of the possibilities of the unconscious mind and how exciting hypnosis really is.
Thank you for your feedback Margaret!
Why are we viewing this as the subjects failure to achieve or agree to arm catalepsy? Is there a significance for the subject to achieving arm catalepsy other than giving the hypnotist a signal that the subject is compliant and willing to agree to enter trance?
I appreciate the in depth, step by step demonstration but I’m curious about the language used to categorise the subject as the failure when a previous hypnotic session, that we’re not privy to, didn’t achieve arm catalepsy.
Is it fair to say that there are also other unspoken factors that could lead to catalepsy in this followup demonstration that are not being compared back to the original failing session? Authority? Student / Teacher relationship? Etc?
Again, I appreciate the demo and thanks for putting it out there for general consumption, analysis and improvement.
Hi Dean
Thank you for your question. First of all, the “failure” label is one that the subject himself applied to the situation. To put the demo in context, everyone had just performed an arm levitation exercise. During the Q&A session that followed this subject complained that he had “failed” not just in the exercise but every other time he tried to experience an arm levitation. This “failure” in turn affected his faith in the hypnotic process, which in turn would block some of the beneficial effects of hypnotherapy for him as well as negatively affecting his confidence as a hypnotist. This in turn was affecting his ability to learn the material.
By working with the “failure” as a symbol we ensured that when he finally did experience an arm levitation, that by implication the other internal blocks (one affecting the results of his personal hypnotic work and the other affecting his confidence and thus his interpersonal hypnotic work) were also released. The result was healing for this volunteer in a way that goes far beyond the relatively mechanical skill of experiencing an arm levitation. Right after this demo, he was able to go back to learning the course materials without the mental block sapping his confidence.
As for your supposition that other factors can positively influence his experiencing an arm levitation: you are absolutely right. His relationship with me will absolutely affect how he responds to suggestions. The fact that I am the “teacher” will improve the results, much like a professional hypnotherapist will get better results with his clients just because they know he is a hypnotist!
I hope this helps
All the best
i
Igor….thank you!!! That was elegant & yet powerful. I am always both moved & inspired when I watch you work. I can’t wait to get to Vegas in September. I am confident my effectiveness will increase tremendously.