*2.3.1 Hypnotic inductions*

Hypnotic induction is the first process that a hypnotist uses to put the clients into a trance state where they are more open to suggestion. Some of the tools or techniques used in inducing hypnosis include the following:

#### *2.3.2 Relaxation technique*

One of the common techniques used by the therapist is relaxation, a relaxed client may fall into trance and his mind will be open to suggestion. Relaxed clients are more likely to talk to the therapist and be open to indirect suggestions. Some common methods of relaxation include: making the client comfortable, lying down, client's head counting down, controlled breathing, relaxing and tensing muscles, and speaking in soft tone [25].

#### *2.3.3 Handshake technique*

In most societies, handshakes are the commonest form of greetings, and Milton Erickson—the farther of hypnotherapy—famously used the handshake technique as a way to induce hypnotic trance. By the handshake, the subconscious mind is shocked by disrupting the common social norm. The hypnotist interrupts the pattern established by our mind by grabbing the wrist or pulling the subject forward and off balance, in an abnormal way of handshake. Suddenly, with the interrupted pattern, the subconscious mind is open for suggestions [25].

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**Figure 1.**

*Functions of the left and right brain spheres [25].*

*Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: The Role of Traditional Versus Alternative Approach*

Arm levitation technique is a classical Ericksonian technique of inducing hypnosis; this method begins with the clients closing their eyes and being asked to notice the difference between their arms. For instance, they might say the arm feels cold or hot, light or heavy. Suggestions are made by the hypnotist as to the sensations in each arm. In a trance mode, the clients may simply believe in their mind that they have lifted their arm or may physically lift their arm. In either way, successful

The right sphere of the brain manages creativity and consciousness while the left manages the practical and subconsciousness. During a conversation, the direction of the subject's eyes indicates the sphere accessed, looking right indicates accessing the consciousness and left the subconsciousness. If the eyes are accessing the subconscious, you can make a suggestion that they are not consciously aware (**Figure 1**). The eyes may as well be fixated on one object in the room. Stephen Brooks developed a new technique of inducing hypnosis on the listener with eye

Both trance and suggestions can be induced using the visualization technique. For instance, a subject can be asked to recall a room he is familiar with, to imaging every detail in the room such as the windows, the floor, the light, the wall, the painting etc. Afterward, the subject then moves into a room he is less familiar with. As the subject struggles to recall the exact details, his mind is open to suggestion. Visualization can be used to recall positive memories and positive images and experiences (wedding, birthday graduation) to change one's perception of a nega-

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91619*

*2.3.4 Arm levitation technique*

induction is achieved [25].

*2.3.5 Eyes cues*

movements [25].

*2.3.6 Visualization*

tive image [25].

*Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: The Role of Traditional Versus Alternative Approach DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91619*
