The Volunteer Who Won’t Wake Up, by Krisztina Hall
This month I want to talk about a rare but interesting phenomenon – the volunteer who won’t wake up. I have seen a number of stage hypnotists who give the command, “Wide Awake!” and one of the volunteers remains asleep. Most times the hypnotist panics and doesn’t know what to do! Often they will ignore the volunteer or physically shake them to awaken them. Do you know what has happened and what to do?
Most books on hypnosis talk about the levels of hypnotic depth. Typically, the authors discuss light, medium and deep trance or the somnambulistic state. This is the level of hypnosis that we typically work with up on stage. Few authors discuss the deepest state of hypnosis called the “Esdaile State.” When people reach this level of hypnosis they will often: (1) have spontaneous anesthesia; (2) they enter an intensely pleasant state of euphoria and ; and (3) their muscles are so relaxed that their limbs will remain in the position they are placed in – almost like a mannequin.
They simply went into this very deep level of hypnosis. There is no problem at all – they simply enjoy the pleasant state so much that they choose not to awaken.
What do you do? Well, you have a number of options. You could pose their limbs and create interesting sculptures or….human cup holders…..or you can simply tell them, “If you do not wake up when I tell you, you will never be hypnotized again.” Even though this does not make logical sense, it makes perfect sense to them. They want to be able to go back there again so they wake up easily. You can then go on with your show!
This is one reason why I encourage all who are interested in being stage hypnotists to get an in depth knowledge of hypnosis first. Keep learning, studying and seek training beyond what you find in the public library. The more you know the better prepared you will be.
Krisztina Hall, for Hypnostage Magazine
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