You may now begin to integrate your sensory imagery into the basic relaxation induction. This exercise is written to give you an opportunity to experience all your senses. If you do not image in one or more sense, just focus on the senses that are the strongest for you.

Find a comfortable position, take a deep breath, and slowly let it out. If you can imagine a favorite smell, you may do so now and all during the exercise. Remember that you can stop the induction anytime you wish and continue on with your regular activities.

Take another deep breath, inhaling your favorite smell, and pick a spot for your eyes to focus on. You may feel your body begin to relax with each breath you take. You may let your eyes go out of focus as you smell your favorite relaxing smell. Perhaps you can imagine some music or other relaxing sound. You will always be aware if your phone rings or if someone speaks to you.

As you hear the sounds and smell the air, you may allow yourself to relax more and more, going deeper and deeper into hypnosis. In a few moments you may begin to count backward from five to zero. You may look forward to being in your favorite relaxing place in your imagination when you reach zero. This may be a place you remember or one you create. When you reach this place, you may have a positive experience through all your senses: seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling.

Count Down

You may now count down at a comfortable speed.

• FIVE, relax, breathe slowly

• FOUR, going deeper and deeper into hypnosis

• THREE, relax, feel how comfortable you are — you may look forward to the next number and going to your special place

• TWO, going deeper and deeper, relaxing and relaxing

• ONE, you're almost there — you're looking forward to the next number, to being in your special place that is so comfortable, so relaxing

• ZERO, it is so good to be here

Take a few moments and enjoy where you are. Look around and see how relaxing it is here. You may hear the sounds and smell the smells. Imagine a favorite taste. You may stay for a few moments and feel comfortable and relaxed.

Count Up

It is now time to come back to the surface of your mind. You may count up from zero to five at a comfortable pace. ONE, coming upward. TWO, THREE, FOUR, coming back to the surface. At the next number you may open your eyes, fresh and relaxed, taking a deep breath of your favorite smell. FIVE.

You may now have a much better understanding of how your five senses work for you. This knowledge about your sensory imagery model of your unique mental makeup can help you develop confidence in your natural abilities.