Sophrology 

Sophrology in short…

Sophrology is a body-mind discipline centered on relaxation and creative visualization. Aware that our unconscious mind reacts equally to imaginary events and actual facts, sophrology helps us consciously live experiences that will allow us to harmonize our most desired objectives with our deepest Self.

Inspired by physical disciplines and influenced by Zen and yoga, as well as hypnosis and psychology, sophrology is a consciousness ‘gymnastics’ that releases our psychic and physical energies and gives us access to our true potential.

Please read  on…

Sophrology, what for and for whom?

Used in the fields of therapy, psychology, teaching, social sciences, sports… sophrology is effectively employed to:

  • reinforce self-image and self-confidence
  • lower stress
  • manage emotions
  • improve communication techniques
  • relieve pain
  • optimize sleep
  • oxygenate the body
  • prepare for physical and medical examinations
  • cure tobacco and other dependencies
  • prepare for school examinations or any professional tests
  • develop concentration and memory
  • help choose and set goals
  • improve personal development
  • coach pregnancy and preparation to childbirth
  • optimize athletic or artistic performances
  • enhance career management
  • help identify and anchor life values
  • discover and develop resources

How does it work?

Standard Group Session

  1. Presentation of the  theme of the session (stress management, self-confidence, life values, communication ......)
  2. Exploration of the theme through discussions, exercises, games… in a spirit of discovery
  3. Guided dynamic relaxation around the theme. Body consciousness, thoughts and emotions, relaxation though movement (anchoring in daily life)
  4. Guided passive relaxation, in a sitting or reclining position. Visualization and physical integration of the theme
  5. Sharing of the participants’ experience of the session

NB: Various methodological tools will be progressively integrated into the practice throughout the sessions: breathing, body relaxation, emotional and physical awareness, travelling inside the body, concentration, intention… 

Elaboration of Specific Methodologies (upon request)

Examples :

Professional: optimizing  the physical and psychic wellbeing of workers, improving organization and concentration at work, skills, creativity, interpersonal skills /communication, company values, positioning…

Sport Centers: facilitating physical recovery, developing resources, setting goals and optimizing results, improving body awareness...

Early Childhood Structures: exploring perception and space using all 5 senses, using imagination, “sophro-ludic” sessions for children.

School Structures: improving interpersonal relations, learning techniques, concentration, communication and orientation…

Standard Individual Session

  1. Discussion and choice of a theme for the session
  2. Access to the selected theme in a “phronic” state of consciousness, between sleep and awakening, in a reclining or comfortable sitting position
  3. Guided travel inside our consciousness in time and space (preparation for future events, healing of past events) by means of visualization and physical and emotional awareness
  4. Positive and immediate integration and memory release.

Sophrology, cont'd 

Sophrology was created in 1960 by Alfonso Caycedo, a neuro-psychiatrist who dealt mainly with heavy psychiatric pathologies. Resting on the principle that psychiatric pathology is an alteration of consciousness, Caycedo based the main objective of sophrology on the assumption that  an harmonious, or “sophronic”,  state of consciousness existed and that it could be developed through specific techniques.

 Sophrology is a psycho-corporal and energy discipline that can be described as: “A study in consciousness development and harmony” or “a science of consciousness and existential values”. It is also a school of resources based on a methodology of deep relaxation, both static and dynamic, and creative visualizations. It aims at highlighting our inner workings (physical, physiological, emotional, psychic, existential) so we become aware of them, as well as of the stumbling blocs impeding their performance. In a more general way, sophrology aims to develop a more harmonious personality, by increasing our consciousness of our Selves and by effectively consolidating our inner processes.

Since our unconscious mind reacts as much to imaginary as to actual facts, the driving principle of sophrology is build positive reprogramming, in a context of deep relaxation, that would support physical, emotional and behavioural integration.
Essentially phenomenological, sophrology makes it possible to integrate experiences in awareness, to develop our potential for intuitive creativity, to identify our life values and harmonise our objectives with our deepest Self.

Inspired by physical and breathing techniques and influenced by Zen, yoga and hypnosis, as well as psychology and psychoanalysis, sophrology is like a gymnastic of consciousness serving our intention, liberating psychic and physical energies, increasing our consciousness of our Selves and allowing access to our true potential.

Hélène