It honestly depends on my goal and if I want a light trance or a deeper one. I tend to use different technologies also depending on the goal. Ultimately trance, and meditation, can be thought of like a muscle and the more you use it the better you'll become. Additionally, do not chase the trance; relax your grip and let it come to you.
Breathwork is an extremely important aspect of my trance work. Some common methods I use are Bhastrika Pranayama, Vatakrama Kapalbhati and Surya Bhedana Pranayama. I've also found success with circle breathing and things such as holotropic breathing or Tummo meditation. I will note a lot of these are considered advanced breathwork so please do research, go slowly and it is best to find a qualified teacher to safely guide you. Just maintaining a consistent rhythm with awareness can lead to very powerful trances.
I also incorporate movement. Gently swaying or rocking is something that I do in almost every trance. I also have experimented with spinning and it has lead to some of the most transformational trances I've experienced. Just move obstacles out of the way beforehand and be aware of hard surfaces.
I also incorporate different hypnotic triggers as over time I've built associations with these which make it easier to get into a trance state. For example, I'll wear certain clothing articles with particular colors, I'll have a specific incense burning, I'll wear certain perfume, etc. I do also use music, I like traditional folk songs or songs with heavy percussion but for just trance work this is a personal preference (I do spirit work in trance which does require specific songs but for all other purposes and traditions use what you like).
I think it's also important to have protocols for afterwards particularly if I went into a deeper trance. When I am finished with my trance I will anoint my forehead, wrists and ankles with rose water and take as much time as needed to ground myself back in the present and then I will usually perform some purifications. I also make sure to eat and drink water and rest if needed as trance work can be draining.
Of course, all of this is just what works for me. A lot of this comes from my teachers so it works in my specific spiritual tradition, to those outside of it some of the things listed above will probably be irrelevant. I also edited out some steps I take because they are very tradition-specific and I'm trying to keep it widely applicable. I also have been told I trance in a very "fiery" manner, where if you look at what I do most of it is about raising energy levels and causing excitement. Some people have better success with slowing things down and relaxing into the trance. Trance is a very individual thing and different things will work for different people. I'm happy to answer any questions or explain further as trance is one of the foundations of my spiritual and magical practice.
