Group Levitation
By Michael Daniels
This is an interesting stunt where a person is lifted up into the air by the fingertips of a group. Also known as Light as a feather or The two finger lift.
Effect: A person becomes seeminglyweightless 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: 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, but not be able to.
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.