How to Levitate

One of the most amazing tricks in magic is the ability to levitate. There are many ways to accomplish this, and in this video we'll go over a few of them. We'll start with some easy ones you can do at home right now, then move on to more complex ones that require some practice and planning. We'll also go over some pricy versions that pros use that you've probably seen on some national television shows. So hit the like button and let's start learning how to levitate!

The first method involves the magician entering the room, covering their body with a blanket or towel, and then magically appearing to float off the floor. This looks pretty convincing and is very easy to execute. First, you attach a pair of shoes with a large rubber band, or you can attach velcro to the sides of the shoes so they stick together. Next, if you move one shoe, the other shoe moves with it. This is the key to the illusion: when the magician covers themselves with the blanket, they are actually Now, under the blanket, the magician lifts and rotates their left foot off the ground, creating the illusion that they are levitating. To finish this effect, the magician places their foot back into the other shoe and takes off the blanket. In this next method, which has no cover at all, the magician approaches a step stool and appears to levitate right up to the top of it before floating in midair without any visible support. What's great about this method is that it's very affordable to make and can be performed at home right now. In this next method, which has no cover at all, the magician approaches a step stool and appears to levitate right up to the top of it before floating in midair with no visible support. What's great about this method is that it's very inexpensive to make and can be done at home right now. Now, under the cover of the blanket, the magician lifts their left foot off the ground and moves it around. The two shoes move together making it appear as though they're levitating. To complete this illusion, the magician puts their foot back in the other shoe and removes the blanket.

You'll need a baggy pair of pants—I like to use denim for this.

and then make a slit on the right leg from top to bottom. Next, from inside the pants, glue or tape the pants to the bottom of the shoe. This may look messy from the front, but keep in mind that they will only ever see this side; everything is visible from the back. Finally, attach velcro to the inside edges of both shoes—I'm wearing sandals in this instance. The velcro is utilized so that the two sandals or shoes stick to each other when you push them together and raise one of them together.

As you approach your position, keep your feet close together so the Velcro adheres. This allows you to slide your right foot out of the shoe and through the slit in your jeans. Your right foot then steps onto the stool as you lift yourself up. From behind, it appears as if your legs are fused, giving the illusion of levitation.

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This particular technique is favored among street performers because it works seamlessly from all viewpoints. It's a spectacle no matter where you're standing, possibly even recognizable from a popular TV show where two performers executed it together. However, the method remains consistent. Notice there's always something on the ground—a blanket, rug, or even sand—to camouflage the steel support. This support extends from the floor up the staff held by the magician, then down his sleeve, providing the illusion of sitting mid-air.

Another levitation method is primarily reserved for stage performances due to its cumbersome setup and precise angles. The assistant lies comfortably on a support bed while the magician stands strategically to obscure the vertical beam. You might wonder how the magician moves a hoop over the body without hitting the support. The secret lies in the motion. By starting at one end and rotating the hoop in the opposite direction, it appears as though the hoop passes over the entire body without touching the support beam. And that's the essence of how magicians achieve the illusion of levitation.