Group Levitation Secret

By Michael Daniels

An interesting stunt where a person is lifted up into the air by the fingertips of a group. Interesting and mystifying theory. Read how it's done here.

Effect: A person becomes seemingly weightless and may be lifted from a chair on the index fingers of four smaller people.
Although various explanations have been proposed, this classic stunt continues to mystify and amuse.

Stage 1: The person to be lifted ( choose a fairly heavy person ) should be relaxed but upright on a firm chair. Feet should be  on the floor and  their hands on their lap. The four assistants should stand two on each side of the person, one by each shoulder and one by each knee. Each assistant should make fists with both hands, then extend the two forefingers and touch them together, gently but firmly the two assistants standing by the shoulders, place their extended forefingers under the seated persons right or left armpit. The other two assistants place their forefinger under the seated persons left or right knee

The person to be lifted thinks "down" and imagines him or herself to be sinking into the chair. In this position, the four assistants should try to lift the person.

Stage 2: The assistants should now place their palms on top of the seated persons knee or shoulder and together, exert a steady downwards force. While they are doing this someone counts out loud from one to ten. On the count of nine, the four assistants quickly take their former positions with extended forefingers under the armpit or knee. On the count of ten, they try again to lift the person. The seated person should think"up" and imagine himself or herself rising into the air.

If these instructions are followed carefully, the person will soar straight up into the air on the forefingers of the assistants.

This trick is very visual and can really entertain a crowd.