Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
HANDOUTS FOR:
1. W56 Alert Hypnosis: Overview of Research
and Clinical Applications
&
2. W70 Alert Hypnosis: Educational
Applications
Mental Strength Congress
Heidelberg, Nov 1, 2014
David M. Wark, Ph.D. USA
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
RESEARCH ON ALERT HYPNOSIS
Wark---A General Review of Alert Hypnosis (Wark, 1998)
Wells---Waking hypnosis for class demonstration (Wells, 1924)
Ludwig and Lyle---Natural trance in social situations (Ludwig & Lyle, 1964)
Bányai---Active alert hypnosis riding a stationary bike (Bányai & Hilgard, 1976)
Vingoe---Group Alert Induction (Vingoe, 1968)
Gibbons---Hyperemperia inductions stressing awareness (Gibbons, 1974)
Amigo and Capafons---Self regulation while alert (Amigó & Capafons, 1996)
Cardeña---Moving hand induction (Cardena, Alarcon, Capafons, &
Bayot, 1998)
Barabasz---Instantaneous Neuronal Activation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (Barabasz & Barabasz, 1996)
Unesthâl---Alert hypnosis--sport applications (Uneståhl, 1983)
Wark---Alert Self hypnosis for Study Reading (Wark, 1996)
Iglesias--- Alert Hypnosis for Social Anxiety and Panic (Iglesias & Iglesias, 2005)
Wark---Review of research and a case of exam panic (Wark, 2006)
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
WARM UP EXERCISE FOR ALERT
HYPNOSIS
v.4
David M. Wark, Ph.D.
This exercise will get you get ready to do alert hypnosis. Go through the process one step at a
time, fully focusing your attention. Then you can put all the steps together, and go into alert
hypnosis.
STEP 1
Take a deep breath, fill your lungs and hold it for the count of 5. Then slowly relax as you exhale.
Did you notice how your shoulders moved as they slowly drift up
back and down? Take 3 regular breaths.
STEP 2
Put your feet flat on the floor. Take another deep, gentle breath and hold it.
Lightly, gently push down on the floor so you slightly tense your feet, ankles,
calves and thighs. Hold for a count of 5, and then slowly relax as you exhale.
Did you notice your body’s slight upward lift, as if you were
pushing yourself up, when you pushed down on the floor?
Did you notice the calm heaviness as you settle back into
your chair? Take 3 regular breaths.
STEP 3
Take another deep full breath, and hold it. Gently tense every muscle in your
body, from your forehead down to your toes. Notice the tension. Hold for a count
of 5, and then slowly relax your whole body as you exhale.
Did you notice the way your whole body shifted up and down,
tensing and relaxing, rising and falling, and your attention shifted
from outside to inside as you did the warm up? Take 3 regular breathes.
This is the end of the warm-up exercise.
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
Inducing Alert Hypnosis
The LEVER Induction v3
David M. Wark, Ph.D. ABPH
Now you will learn a practical alert hypnotic technique so you can quickly bring
yourself to focused mental attention. At the same time, you will let your body
become relaxed and efficiently calm. The technique is called the LEVER, to
remind you to lift your mind to a state of sharp focus and hold it while you relax
your body. Then you LEVER up your mental focus a bit higher, and again relax
your body. And then a third time you raise your mental focus, and relax your body.
1. 1. Sit with you spine straight up, dignified, comfortable in your chair. Touch
your feet flat on the floor. Choose a spot about eye level to focus on, and look at it
alertly. As you take a deep breath, listen to the air flow into your lungs. Extend
your head and neck up toward the sky as you sit straight up in your chair. Focus
your attention on the spot. While you keep focusing your attention on the spot,
exhale and relax
2. Increase your attention on the spot and take another deep breath while focusing
on the spot. Push gently down on the floor as you tense all the muscles below your
waist; your hips and thighs and calves and feet. Raise your focus and attention on
the spot. Holding that focus, slowly relax your lower body as you exhale.
3. Again increase the attention even more on the spot and take a third deep breath.
Tense the whole body, and even more alertly observe that spot. Exhale and relax
the whole body, while keep attention on the spot. Remain in that alert but relaxed
condition, breath naturally and calmly
Notice that the mind is alert and focused on the target and the whole body is
relaxed.
When you are ready, give yourself your suggestion that each time you do a LEVER
it will be easier and more enjoyable.
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
The Basic Suggestion for Reading v.6
David M. Wark, Ph.D.
1. Sensations---skin
Touch the paper. Fingers can move slowly over the page. Notice how the surface feels against skin. Eyes
can flow across the page, going easily from side to side, easily moving forward, seeing every thing.
2. Perception---eyes
Notice the letters on the page. They seem dark and distinct. The round parts of the Os and Cs are very
smooth, the up and down parts of the Ts and Ls are straight and strong. The printing is especially vivid.
Every word stands out very clearly, is easy to see.
3. Thoughts---images and ideas and words
Notice that every sentence suggests images and ideas and words that flow up from page to mind, directly
and easily. Similar, familiar already learned ideas come to mind. The new ideas from the page and old
ideas from the past seem to fit together now. New ideas come forward, and the meaning gets clearer and
clearer.
4. Emotions---about the work
Notice emotions. May be calm and attentive, centered, efficient, focus now on the page, on the printing.
5. Follow on---after the work
Be curious, after the reading, how the learning will continue, and the meaning will get ever clearer.
Use the same categories – – sensations, perceptions, thoughts, emotions and follow up – – to create other
suggestions
AUTHOR Behind the book is a human being
(INCREASE IMAGES)
As I sit alertly looking at my page, I see the letters, clear and dark on the paper. I feel the smoothness of
the page, and I can hear my own breathing and the low sound of the words in my head. From the past, I
remember an important teacher who helped me learn, I can see us together, and feel good. The author is
like that, another teacher who really wants me to learn. I may hear the author talking directly to me. I may
feel a real closeness between us, me to the author and the author back to me. As I read alertly, the
words from the author will seem to flow easily into my mind. It will seem that I can make a connection
with the mind of the author so we can work together and I enjoy my learning.
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Reading Exercise
Alert Self Hypnosis in Education
Researchers have known for years that hypnosis could help improve learning. A scientific
review showed a range of 10% to 40% gain in learning using hypnosis. In two well-controlled
studies, college students were given hypnotic suggestions designed to improve concentration and
increase grades after mid-quarters. They did significantly better on the final exam than students
who were given special attention and suggestions, but without hypnosis.
Yet these and similar controlled results seldom used in the general classroom. Why? In
part, because the traditional type of hypnosis was not useful for study. Relaxed, dissociated
students cannot learn much by reading a book or writing notes if they are in traditional hypnosis
with their eyes closed.
Happily, researchers found a viable solution: alert self hypnosis. This is a self hypnotic
focusing technique done with eyes wide open. In the earliest uses of alert self hypnosis, the
students were not comfortable reading in a new way. And the standardized comprehension
suggestions were not helpful. These problems were solved when the students learned to put
themselves in hypnosis and write their own personal suggestions. In a college course in study
skills, the students demonstrated that alert self hypnosis worked. Students in the class found
ways to use alert self hypnosis to increase their grades in many different courses.
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
Teaching Students to Do Alert Self Hypnosis v8
David M. Wark, Ph.D., ABPH
Teach preparation for training, prior to the induction
Practice tensing and relaxing upper body. Note rise and fall of chest and shoulders.
Practice tensing and relaxing below the waist. Note pushing up and falling.
Practice tensing and relaxing whole body again. Note rise and fall of body.
Teacher models LEVER process, talking out loud
I inhale while lifting my head and shoulders toward ceiling to straighten back.
I focus alertly on spot, while letting my body relax, keeping spine straight.
I push down on floor to tense my lower body, and increase my visual focus.
I keep my focus on spot while relaxing lower body.
I increase my focus on spot, and tense whole body.
I keep my visual focus on spot, and relax whole body.
I blink my eyes and come out of alert hypnosis.
Teacher process what students observed, and fills in any missing parts.
Teaching Exercise #1 Induction and visual perception change
Teacher gets informed consent to use HYPNOSIS.
Teacher picks target # 1, with several differently colored points of focus.
Teacher coaches 3 breath LEVER induction, pacing on the student’s exhalation.
Teacher suggests noticing any changes in color, shape, or movement by parts of target.
Teacher leads student out of alert hypnosis.
Process the experience of visual change, probing for disappearance of any elements.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to focus that well when you ……”
Teaching Exercise #2 Induction and deepening of alert hypnosis
Teacher explains the depth of focus scale.
Teacher picks target #2, with a clear central point of focus
Teacher coaches LEVER induction, pacing on the student’s exhalation.
Teacher suggests the student deepen focus even more, to move attention into the target.
Teacher asks student to check depth scale, and come out of alert hypnosis.
Process the experience of depth, probing for difference from 1st induction.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if you could go deeper into focus whenever……”
Teaching Exercise #3 Induction and a feeling of calmness.
Teacher picks target #3, a realistic picture, probably natural setting.
Teacher coaches LEVER and deepening, pacing on exhalation.
Teacher asks student to check depth, and to deepen own hypnosis slightly.
Teacher suggests NOTICING SENSE OF CALMNESS occasioned by target.
Teacher asks student to come out of alert hypnosis.
Process any feelings, probing for vividness and reality
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sense of calmness when ever you…”
Alert Hypnosis 2014
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
Hypnotic Protocol for Empathy
David Wark, Ph.D.
1. Pick a person as a recipient
2. Do alert hypnosis and deepen
3. Regress to time and place with person
4. Clarify the image of the place and person
5. Notice the person’s posture, breathing, face
6. Imagine yourself approaching and blending with the person
Feel the posture
Feel the face muscles
Feel the internal emotions
7. Notice what is missing/wanted/needed by the person
8. Decide if you can supply what is missing
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Mental Strength Heidelberg 2014
REFERENCES ON ALERT HYPNOSIS
Bányai, É. and E. Hilgard (1976). "A comparison of active-alert hypnotic induction with traditional
relaxation induction." Journal of Abnormal Psychology 85(2): 218-224.
Bányai, E., A. Zseni and F. Tury, Tury (1993). Active-Alert Hypnosis in Psychotherapy. Handbook of
Clinical Hypnosis. Judith Rhue, Steven Lynn and I. Kirsch. Washington, DC, American Psychological
Association.
Barabasz, A. and M. Barabasz (1996). Neurotherapy and alert hypnosis in the treatment of attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder. Casebook of Clinical Hypnosis. S. J. Lynn, I. Kirsch and J. Rhue.
Washington, DC, American Psychological Association: 217-292.
Capafons, A. and S. Amigó (1995). "Emotional self-regulation therapy for smoking reduction:
Description and initial empirical data." International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
43(1): 7-19.
Cardena, E., A. Alarcon, A. Capafons and A. Bayot (1998). "Effects on suggestibility of a new method of
active-alert hypnosis: Alert hand." International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis 46(3): 280294.
Cooper, L. F. and D. W. Rodgin (1952). "Time distortion in hypnosis and non-motor learning." Science
115: 500-502.
Donk, L. J., F. J. Vingoe, R. A. Hall and R. Doty (1970). "The comparison of three suggestion techniques
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Gibbons, D. (1979). Applied Hypnosis and Hyperempiria. New York, Plenum Press.
Hammer, E. (1954). "Post-hypnotic suggestions and test performance." International Journal of Clinical
and Experimental Hypnosis 2(3): 178-185.
Iglesias, A. and A. Iglesias (2005). "Awake-Alert Hypnosis in the Treatment of Panic Disorder: A Case
Report." American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 47(4): 249-257.
Jacobson, N., S. Kramer, A. Tharp, S. Costa and P. Hawley (2011). "The Effects of Encoding in Hypnosis
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Krippner, S. (1963). "Hypnosis and reading improvement among university students." American Journal
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Krippner, S. (1966). "The use of hypnosis with elementary and secondary school children in a summer
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Krippner, S. (1970). "The use of hypnosis and the improvement of academic achievement." The Journal
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laPlante, P. M. (1991). An investigation of alert self-hypnosis, hypnotic suggestions, absorption, and
reading comprehension among college students., US: ProQuest Information & Learning.
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Ludwig, A. M. and W. H. Lyle (1964). "Tension induction and the hyperalert state." Journal of Abnormal
and Social Psychology 69(1): 70-76.
Mateinez-Conde, S. and S. Macnik (2007). "Windows on the Mind." Scientific American August: 56-63.
Morton, P. A. (2003). "The hypnotic belay in alpine mountaineering: The use of self-hypnosis for the
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46(1): 45-51.
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mechanisms of hypnotic induction and suggestion." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 11(1): 110-125.
Schreiber, E. (1997). "Use of group hypnosis to improve college students' achievement." Psychological
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Schreiber, E. and P. A. McSweeney (2004). "Use of group hypnosis to improve academic achievement of
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Wark, D. M. (1998). Alert Hypnosis: History and Applications. Current Thinking and Research in Brief
Therapy. W. J. Matthews and J. Edgette. Philapelphia, PA, Taylor and Francis. 2: 287-306.
Wark, D. M. (2011). "Alert Hypnosis: A Review and Case Report." American Journal of Clinical
Hypnosis 48(4): 291-300.
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