You subconscious is always working. The relaxing help you communicate / connect with it's resources.
I relax very well by saying the word relax in my mind.
Saying relax, and consciously letting my muscles relax is deeper. Still only 1 second.
Closing my eyes, saying relax and letting my muscles relax is even deeper.
As Alexk says, repetition makes it deeper and faster. I found I relax very easily. I found that when I listened to the audio tapes, I had to change them a little. I had to emphasize the Alert in relaxed and Alert. Otherwise I'd be slipping into sleep after about 15 seconds of listening to Paul Scheele on the tape.
I've developed a good rapport with the audio tape Paul. I now go swiftly to the right level of relaxation and wait for Paul to finish. I don't battle sleep anymore... unless I decide I'll allow myself to run about the edge of sleep.
You are perfection,
Iam2 
