First, watch the video:

If the video does not load, you can also view it by clicking here.

Note that in addition to learning the method behind the Balducci Levitation, you also learn the following SIX subtleties:

  1. Announce your intentions

    This is one of those rare tricks that you want to say what you're about to do, BEFORE you actually do it. Many magic tricks depend on the element of surprise. However, the Balducci Levitation happens fast, you want them to be looking at your feet.

    Also, if they're EXPECTING your feet to raise off the ground, they're more likely to assume that BOTH feet come off the ground when you do the levitation because that's what you SAID you were going to do! It's a weird kind of psychological misdirection, but it's effective.

  2. Find your spot

    By looking around for a good spot to levitate from, you do two things. First, you cause a false suspicion that the ground has something to do with the trick. Any time you can distract someone from the real secret it's a good thing.

    Second, it gives you an excuse to be turned away from the audience (10:30/11 o'clock). You don't usually perform magic tricks with your back turned, so you will need a reason to turn your back on someone. Looking for a spot gives you that "out".

  3. Make it appear difficult

    People who believe in levitation believe that there is a kind of inner energy, or "chi", that can make people float. If that were the case, it probably wouldn't be easy. Otherwise, everyone would be doing floating themselves!

    Also, if it were easy, why wouldn't you just float up into the sky? You need a good reason for only being able to lift a few inches off the ground. The fact that it is difficult and physically draining to make yourself float, gives you the needed excuse.

  4. Wear pants

    While it's possible to do this effect in shorts, the video thoroughly expains why it's better to wear longer pants. Just look at the difference in how my right foot looks as I'm floating! It's much better with pants, right?

  5. "Hover"

    Things that really float look very "airy" and "buoyant". You don't want this trick to look mechanical. As you're floating, slightly bounce up and down gently as if you were bobbing in the ocean. You could even "twist" a little. (If you go up on your left foot, twist slightly to the right and vice versa.)

  6. Land hard/stumble

    By landing hard, you give the impression that you were floating yourself much higher than you actually were.

    By stumbling, you reinforce the idea that it is very difficult and draining to perform the effect. That way, no one will ask you to do it again! This is definitely a trick that you don't want to repeat for the same spectators.

ONE LAST TIP: If you want to make BOTH feet come off the ground, there's no better way than King Rising:
King Rising Levitation DVD - $ 19.95
IMPACT OF LEVITATION: the performer talks about harnessing power from the earth. He asserts that a technique has been found to levitate from the ground - just a few inches - and they will see this happen visibly. The performer is seen to rise three to four inches- and hover- momentarily. He immediately walks forward to the spectators and they can examine his feet, shoes, and anything about him - there is nothing to find because there IS nothing.There is no surprise element - you TELL the spectators that you are about to levitate, then they watch you DO it. This is not the Balducci, Zero Gravity or any other.