Pacing means matching a person’s interactions with reality and, therefore, meeting the other person from within their mental map of the world. It encourages rapport and mutual understanding. Breathing in sync with a client’s rhythm is one of the most effective and subtle ways of adapting to their world. Matching one’s breath is a powerful sensation because it is such a fundamental pattern of existence. When placed on their mother’s breast, babies immediately do this. During trance work, it’s critical to match your voice to your client’s breathing patterns. In hypnotic communication, this is a basic rule to follow. Breathing patterns may need to be matched in a crossover form in some circumstances. When it comes to picking up on your female client’s breathing patterns, you should, of course, avoid staring at her breasts. Perimeter vision and minor motions in the shoulders and waist can be used to detect breathing patterns. It’s usually best to make subtle comparisons.

This practice of verbal pace can be done in small groups or pairs.

Step 1: Person A and Person B stand or sit back to back so that their entire backs are in contact with each other and they can feel each other’s breathing as well as the vibrations produced by speaking. #

Being back-to-back eliminates visual cues and requires you to focus on your hearing.

Step 2: If a Person C is available, that Person C will monitor and provide input on the pacing efficiency. #

Step 3: Person A says something—a single short line works effectively in this situation. #

It may be something like, “My name is Joe, and I’m a little nervous about doing something like this.”

Step 4: It is Person B’s responsibility to repeat Person A’s remark so that Person A is satisfied that Person B has their speaking style correctly paced. #

Step 5: Repeat this 5 times before going on to practice with someone else. #

Step 6: Both Person A and Person C can advise Person B on how to improve. #

Step 7: Then, Person A and Person B face each other, with some distance apart. #

Step 8: Person B should now practice matching Person A’s breathing patterns by noticing visual cues. #

Once you’re aware of unique speech patterns, you can mentally rehearse matching people throughout everyday discussions, because this mental rehearsal activates your vocal cords and any other important speech structures within your body. In practice, you will be pacing both the representation systems and breathing patterns.