Kinesthetic Swish

This method, developed by Robert Dee McDonald, uses feelings to generate constructive motivation and ambition. Emotions are the driving force behind both success and failure, so the aim is to move away from negative feelings and toward positive ones. This format is a mind-body strategy designed to overcome negativity and tackle upcoming challenges.

Step 1:

Access the Negative State and Elicit Submodalities

Have the person mentally step into the situation or thought that triggers a negative emotional state. Ask them to describe the state in detail. Pay close attention to kinesthetic submodalities (such as movement and temperature) and the origin point of the feeling.

Step 2:

Apply a Separator

Guide the person out of the state and neutralize their experience using a separator technique.

Step 3:

Build the Desired State

Ask the person to describe exactly how they would like to feel. Associate them into this desired emotional state using strong submodalities to intensify the experience.

Step 4:

Apply a Separator

Bring the person out of the desired state again using a separator to neutralize.

Step 5:

Perform the Kinesthetic Swish

Have the person once again feel the negative emotion linked to its origin in the body. Then, gradually guide them—using the newly established submodalities—toward the positive feeling. The kinesthetic Swish tends to be slower than the visual version, so it’s important to take enough time with this step.

Step 6:

Check for Changes

In the following days and weeks, observe whether the person begins to associate the situation or feelings differently—and whether these shifts enhance their overall quality of life.