What is sophrology? If you ever ask this question, you will most likely not receive an answer. The truth is that very few people have heard about this new medical science established in Madrid in 1960.
Alfonso Caycedo, its founder coined the term, which is derived from three Greek words: sos, calm, phren, mind and ology, science. Sophrology literally means the study of the tranquil and calm mind.
After various studies of the relaxation stage, doctors concluded that when a person is relaxed, he is able to improve his health, get rid of any negative emotions and redevelop his concentration through a better inner dialogue.
Claude Reithler, a practicing sophrologist describes sophrology as a comprehensive method where you learn how to think and how to control your body, and your emotions.
“Sophronization takes your brain to the alpha waves which correspond to the way you feel when you wake up or fall asleep. It’s a stage between sleep and consciousness.”
Reithler immediately points out that there are three other levels of brain waves. The beta level corresponds to the state of consciousness, the delta level to sleep and the gamma level to coma.
When one is relaxed: one breathes better. As a result, the body is better oxygenated, the brain is clear and one can easily get rid of the excess adrenaline, a hormone produced when a person is under stress. In a state of relaxation, the adrenaline is burnt and replaced by serotonin and endorphins.When the adrenaline is stocked in the body and does not get released it causes heartbeats, stomach aches, panic attacks, back aches.
“A sophrologist will teach you how to relax. Physicians often tell their patients to relax but they never advise them to go to a sophrologist,” explains Reithler.
A sophrologist can also treat stress related sicknesses such as light neurosis, phobia, vertigo, migraine, compulsive behavior as well as prepare students for difficult exams and help expectant women to have a relaxed delivery.
“ I can also help people who at certain stages of their life wonder what’s next for example a woman at her menopause or a man who has just lost his job. I also treat people who have lost their loved ones and experience problems in facing life without their presence. But sophrology does not address psychiatric cases “ says Reithler.
In the course of a sophronization therapy, the sophrologist helps his patient relax by bringing his brain waves to the alpha level. A successful sophronization is based on the tone of the voice and its suggestions.
A typical session consists of two stages. During the first hour, the sophrologist establishes a dialogue with the patient.
“This is a very important part of the therapy. I ask many questions and I can detect details which the patient is not aware of but which are extremely helpful in revealing the hidden facets of a person’s character. When a patient talks freely about his emotions he might feel a certain pain. At that point it is very important for me to know where the pain originates. “ explains Reithler.
A pain in the throat signifies the person cannot express himself. There is a blockage. Something is hidden in his subconscious. A pain in the stomach shows a person is not breathing enough and points out to an ego problem. Some individuals are so scared of the future that they lose all their self-confidence.
A pain in the chest indicates the existence of a sentimental problem. Such people are either facing difficulties in their love life or they have been confronted with the death of a loved one.
Once the sophrologist can draw the psychological identity of his patient, he is ready to begin the relaxation stage, which lasts about 45 minutes. During this important stage, the patient’s brain waves reach the alpha level. At that stage many patients will hear the voice of the sophrologist conducting the sophronization but not pay full attention to what he is saying.
Besides helping a patient liberate himself from any negative emotions, a sophrologist will also teach his patient how to relax through specific techniques such as breathing exercises, releasing body tensions, and triggering soothing mental images.
A relaxed person is in a better position to face problems related to time (running late, impatience, traffic jams, and nervousness), people (social ambition, competitiveness, hostile emotions, envy) and work (workaholic).
“Life can be so stressful! We live in a fashion conscious world where we are led to believe that we have to wear the latest clothes, buy the latest mobile phone. Most people do not accept their destiny. Even parents pressure their children to become what they are not meant to be. They simply do not let them be who they are! People forget the meaning of life. Life is full of experiences good and bad and we learn from them.
People nowadays are led to believe that everything should always be fantastic so they get utterly overstressed by the slightest difficulty. Their idea of happiness is totally unrealistic,” concludes Reithler.
