Sophrology

Sophrology is a personal development method that is designed to reduce stress and promote mental and physical well-being, through easy-to-do mental and physical exercises that can be done any time and anywhere.

The word Sophrology was created by Dr. Alfonso Caycedo in the 1960s. There are now many schools of Sophrology notably in France and Switzerland. Sophrology could be said to have started in Switzerland since Dr Raymond Abrezol, Head of French Sophrologist Training in Switzerland, brought Sophrology into the mainstream by successfully using it to coach the Swiss ski team to Olympic gold medals. see Vaincre par la Sophrolgie, published April 15, 2002 by Vivez Soleil. He also trained many of the heads of the big Sophrology schools in France. In Italy Prof. Giancarlo Pantaleoni, a full Professor in Pharmacology at University, introduced Sophrology and founded A.S.C.A. (Associazione Sofrologica Caycediana Aquilana) to reduce the Medicine and Drug Abuse.

The word sophrology comes from ancient Greek:

• SOS = serenity, harmony
• PHREN = spirit, consciousness
• LOGOS = science, study

Sophrology could be said to be the science of the harmony of the consciousness and the values of existence

Sophrology's lineage is the Phenomenological school of science, initiated by Edmund Husserl. Dr. Alfonso Caycedo studied with Dr. Ludwig Binswanger of Switzerland, who in turn had been Martin Heidegger's student.

There are many books on Sophrology written in French by: Dr Raymond Abrezol, Dr Patrick-andré Chéné, Yves Davrou, etc.

Three fundamental principles

• To bring the person into present time, the NOW,
• To reinforce positive action, in order to develop the positive elements of the present, the future and the past rather than focussing on the negative
• To develop an objective reality, to learn how to see the things more as they are rather than how we think they are

Techniques and methods

• Specific techniques and exercises (specific sophronisations): practised especially in individual sessions, they are numerous and selected according to level, needs and relevance (concentration on an internal stimulus, positive projection in the future, the past…). (10 to 15 min.) , with immediate or short-term objectives.
• Dynamic Relaxations : A term used to describe the exercises designed to promote relaxation and focus in everyday life

Benefits

Sophrology is made up of a 12-level training programme of practices aimed at improving physical and psychological health and well-being known as Sophrology Training. The mental and physical exercises are based on the concept of dynamic relaxation (relaxation in movement) used in everyday life situations. Their benefits are claimed to

• Lower stress levels
• Improve sleep
• Manage emotions
• Improve concentration
• Increase energy levels
• Improve relationship with yourself and others
• Improve self-esteem and self confidence
• Harmony in mind, body and soul

The practice is also said to lead to inner and outer awareness, leading to moments of "being as one, being in the flow, living in the now."

Sophrology Training

Currently there are social sophrologists in Colombia, in a branch initiated by Dr. Caycedo in 1982. Their objective is to promote collective awareness towards a better society. Sophrology is also well-established in Andorra, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland^{[citation needed]}

Sophrology is currently widely used in Switzerland and is covered by Swiss Health Insurances

Sophrologists work in the Swiss school system to help with exam stress, self confidence and general well-being Many Swiss hospitals employ sophrologists to help with stress before examinations or surgical interventions Most international level Swiss sports train with Sophrologists

There are very few English speaking Sophrologists in the world, however, there are now schools opening to provide Professional training in English

External links

• (English)(French)(Spanish) Fundacion Caycedo (Official Website of Sophrology and Caycedian Sophrology)