NOW TEST OUT THESE THREE CONJURING FEATS YOURSELF

LINKING PAPERCLIPS

WHAT YOU NEED A banknote, two paperclips

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Fold a £5 or £10 note into three equal parts concertina-style so there are three layers.

2 Clip one end of the note to the middle layer.

3 Clip the other end to the middle layers so each of the two clips clamp only two layers of the note.

4 Hold both ends of the note and pull apart. The clips should ‘jump’ off the note as they ‘link’ together.

HOW YOU’LL BENEFIT

Helps strengthen tripod grip (pinch using thumb, index and long finger), which is essential to hold a pen. This trick involves hand-eye co-ordination and improves fine motor skills – begin with larger paperclips, decreasing the size to develop dexterity. Also, try changing the note for card to increase resistance.

ONE-HAND KNOT

WHAT YOU NEED A one-metre length of rope.

INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin with your hand open and the rope hanging over the palm, held loosely between thumb and index finger

2 Drop your hand down twisting your fingers inwards so you can grab the end behind the hand using index and middle fingers.

3 Make sure the end that goes to your fingers is on top. Then holding that piece, release the other parts and use your thumb to push the loop off your hand as your shake it.

4 As the loop falls off, moving over your fingers an overhand knot will form – with practise it will look like it has come from thin air.

HOW YOU’LL BENEFIT

Improves proximal (nearer the wrist) use of the hand, strengthening muscles which are important for grip and precise movements.

HOPPING RUBBER BANDS

WHAT YOU NEED An elastic band that can be stretched around your fingers.

INSTRUCTIONS 1 Place the elastic band around the index and middle fingers.

2 With your palm facing the audience, pull the band to show it is only around those two digits. 3 As the band is relaxed, turn the palm to face you and stretch it around the tips of all fingers (without anyone seeing).

4 Open the fingers at the same time and the band will automatically jump to the ring and index fingers.

HOW YOU’LL BENEFIT

Uses grasp and release of the hand, and finger flexion and extension. The trick is more effective when a full range of hand motion is achieved and this will motivate the patient to aim for this. Grasp and release of the hand is essential to stabilise everyday objects.