ETYMOLOGY AND DEFINITION

instit

" Sophrology "

comes from three Greek words :



SOS = free from diseases, balances, harmony.

PHREN = Diaphragm, emotional heart and by extension, spirit, conscience.

LOGOS = Science, study, speech.

The sophrology is the science which studies the human conscience, its modifications and the means of varying it, with a therapeutic, prophylactic and teaching aim, to make it possible to the man to be in harmony with itself and its environment.

"the sophrology is a founded scientific school within the existential phenomenologic current, in order to study the conscience and the values existential to be it, with processes vivantiels which are clean and original for him" (Caycedo, 2001).

The sophrology aims thus, through a daily practice, peace and the harmony human being : vast program !

In fact, it is not a question to see "the life pink" or to be detached from reality. The daily difficulties, the "negative one" are inherent with the life. But it is a question of leaving a nonrealistic and negative vision (cf cognitive skews of depressed, underlined by the cognitive therapies) to see the things such as they are (within the limit of possible), by reinforcing the positive one that we have in us.

The sophrology is also a kind of "somatization of positive".

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

THREE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

The body schema lived as reality :

To live the body in good health and to conquer the physical and mental harmony, thanks to the body awakening repetition .

the body schema is a complex concept which covers the body mental representation, its "drawing", the feelings, forms, volumes, posture, etc.

To reinforce the positive action :

Any positive action directed towards our body (well practised sport, by ex.) or towards our mental (pleasant emotion...) with a positive effect on our entire being. The activation repeated of positive causes a "effect swell of snow" on all the person.

In sophrology, one does not work on the negative one : to activate the negative one would be likely to generate a negative activation of the person as a whole. One is thus in opposition with certain proposals which encourage to analyze the negative experiments, traumatisantes, by evoking them during many months... or years.

To develop objective reality :

To more live in the present situation, where we are, to thus adapt in a more adequate way to the various situations and to better satisfy the expression of our own needs.

It is thus necessary for the sophrologist to practise itself the method suggested with a view to personal development and for:

to perceive the state of its own conscience (emotion, tension...) ;

to perceive the persons consciousness state which it guides ;

to adopt an attitude righter, with respect to itself and of its entourage.

Thus, in sophrology, the objective is above all to reinforce the positive structures which we all have while us, while being based on the body feelings. But that should not lead to a disconnection of with reality. From where need for being framed by a qualified person and applying itself what it proposes.

Still let us underline that, if the training is done near a sophrologist, this last should be only one guide for the beginner. Quickly, it is necessary to learn how to be detached from any external intervention (sophrologist, cassette, etc.) and to become autonomous.

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

CONSCIENCE :

The conscience in sophrology includes the cognitive aspects (thoughts, conscious beliefs... or not), conative (affects and emotions) and somatic. It is not conceived there like a simple function of rationalization.

The conscience is

"the force which allows the integration of all the psychological and physical elements of the human person, i.e. the force which animates him. The sophrology regards the man as an indivisible, original and transcendent being (...)" (Caycedo, 1979).

"the force responsible for the existence integration to be it"

Conscience states and levels
(cf "Range Diagram " lower ) :

Caycedo distinguishes the states - qualitative variations, diagram horizontal axis - and the levels from conscience - quantitative variations, range diagram vertical axis . These elements are not specific to the sophrology.

He differentiates

Three conscience state : pathological (i.e. deteriorated by the psychosis or physical), ordinary and "sophronic". These state of consciousnesses can be permanent or transitory. The "sophronic conscience" returns in a state of wellbeing and biological, psychological and sociological harmony, i.e. of harmony with oneself and the external world. It corresponds to a positive existential integration.

Three conscience levels : waking, sleeping and between the two: "sophroliminal level". It is on the "sophroliminal level" that the body feelings are best perceived and integrated. It is on this level that the conscience structures dynamization is easiest and effective.

The drive aims the discovery and the "Sophronic Conscience" state conquest using structures positive dynamization on the "sophroliminal level".

The FAN DIAGRAM
(according to Caycedo, 2001)

Eventail de la conscience

Copyright

THREE LAYERS OF SOPHROLIMINAL CONSCIENCE :

Caycedo modified the 1960 original diagram by adding the three forms of conscience (Waked up, "Sophroliminal" and Deadened) and by distinguishing three layers in the "Sophroliminal" Conscience.

" the uper layer activates and stimulates the conscience ;

the middle layer and balances the conscience ;

the lower layer inhibits and deteriorates the conscience ".

" the middle Layer is the field of work of all the Caycedian Sophrology and the space where all its methodology is practised (...) (It) avoids as much the uper layer which carries out to a conscience stimulation than the lower layer which carries out to situations of inhibition and conscience deterioration, in hypnotic states and the sleep." (Caycedo, 2001, p.11).

This diagram distinguishes the conscience levels (quality of presence, to be) from vigilance levels (quantitative, traditional "states of vigilance": day before with the sleep...)

SOPHROLOGIC TRAINING :

Before the training, one can start from a being item"1 ", for example, in the "Waked up Conscience " in top and on the left "Ordinary Conscience" zone (cf diagram) : he is "fairly well", it can feel an excitation and a "nervous tension".

The meeting reduces it to the "Middle Layer" ("sophronisation"), zone of calms. Positive dynamization ("Intra- Sophronique Activation") in this zone makes it possible to reach a point "on the right" (horizontal way). This Sophroliminal Conscience middle layer is a true interior space of freedom. With the drives wire, it becomes gradually easier to reach it and to be voluntarily maintained there.
Activation (or "desophronisation") at the end of the session, allows about"Re to go up" on a level of "calm" conscience waked up more (not also"high") and more "positive" or serene (light shift towards the line ofthe range). The conscience can be thus at the end of the session a little more close to the "Sophronic Conscience" (not "2" on the diagram): the person "feels herself better". At the time of the following drive (the following day, for example), the person can start the session close to th
e "2" item to reach at the end of the session the "3" item, etc.

With the daily wire repetitions (successive points from "1" to "7" on our diagram), the person approaches then reached the"Sophronic Conscience". The training objective is to discover this conscience for then conquering it and being maintained there!

It acts of an explanatory and didactic diagram with imperfections. But these elements can allow, in spite neologisms used, to better include/understand the drives objective and to show a first limit of it : of regular repetition, few or not possible progress (training law) ! This can be compared with any sensorimotor training (sport, music...).

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

VARIOUS TECHNIQUES :

There are two great sets or categories:

1. "Dynamic Relaxation", which we evoked in the history and which we will take again more in details.

2. The "Sophronisations".

1 - "Dynamic Relaxations":

Practised upright and sat on a chair, they constitute the privileged method group and represent one of the sophrology pillars.

One finds there "a masterly union between certain concepts of phenomenology of Husserl, Heidegger and Binswanger whose Caycedo was the last disciple, with some roots of the most important Eastern techniques of psychophysical drive (...)" (Caycedo, 2001, p.9).

For us, Dynamic Relaxations are the sophrology essence. They make it possible to instigate the conscience.

The 1st degree "Dynamic Relaxation", corporality:

It is composed of a dozen body stimulations realized upright, the closed eyes, generally in "synchronic breathing" (inspiration, retention, stimulation or soft tension, expiry, relaxation). Each series stimulating in turn various body "systems", is followed from a integration time, privileged moment to perceive the stimulated zones integrated into the entire body. This 1st degree aims at reinforcing in manner practises the body schema, complex concept which covers the mental body representation, its "drawing", the feelings, forms, volumes, posture, etc. It is a question of reinforcing the presence of the body in the conscience, of relaxation all the body feelings or all tensions ("relaxation"), to bring a particular presence of the body. These various phenomena are tested all the more easily as one is in the "sophroliminal conscience middle layer ", between day before and sleep (see Conscience fan diagram). Still let us specify that it is not a question "to see" the body but to feel it well, to be attentive with the information perceived in the various body parts .

In this 1st degree, in more body information presence, one learns the concentration on a "neutral" object.

The 2nd degree "Dynamic Relaxation", body schema contemplation :

This dynamics is done almost only sitted on a chair. The posture in sitting position is a little more tonic than at the 1st degree time. One continues to be attentive with body information (the build, volume, body weight, all feelings).

In the 1st part, the pupil learns how to concentrate on his own body image, as if it were observed outside. He carries out series of movements (neck ; upper limbs ; lower limbs ; trunk) by contemplating the body schema moving. There still, each group of stimulations is followed of a integration pause, fundamental moment of all the sophrologic techniques.

One also carries out a sensors and senses contemplation.

This dynamics ends in a exercise proposing the positive evocation of a wish. The end of relaxation ("desophronisation") finishes upright.

Thus, it is a question of reinforcing the body schema, of developing the body image and to have an image of oneself just possible. This degree is contemplative gravitation perception and body schema moving. This work makes it possible to note that the body is limited, conscience is unlimited.

The 3rd degree "Dynamic Relaxation", meditation:

The posture, low breathing under the hands crossed on the lower abdomen level, the form, balance, are the essence of this dynamic.

The posture is tonic here : sat at the chair edge, feet placed so that the knees are lower than the basin, drawn spinal column upwards, basin light camber ("to contemplate the sun with the anus", according to the ironic expression of Zen), slightly drawn shoulders behind, rectified neck nape... This posture takes as a starting point that of the Za-Zen (of za, to sit down and Zen, meditation, concentration), but in sophrology one assied not in lotus nor even in half-lotus and one prefers the use of a chair to the zafu (round and hard cushion used in za-Zen).

Stimulations in "synchronic breathing" (see 1st degree) are practised "to move negative our existence" with the expiries.

Between the 1st part (closed eyes) and the 2nd part (semi-open eyes) a walk semi-open eyes (or a series of stimulations is practised upright), with a rythmic "synchronic breathing", concentrated on oneself, on the tensions alternation and body relaxations. This walk takes as a starting point the walk Kin-hin practised in Zen.

In the 3rd degree, There is no more difference between the body and the spirit, one learns how to meditate with the body and either on the body.

The 4th degree "Dynamic Relaxation", totality:

This dynamics proposes a meditation to discover and conquer our existential dimension. It is thus proposed successively to evoke (meditation in position upright, open eyes) individuality, the "groupeity", the company, humanity, the universe, eternity. Each méditative stimulation is followed of a integration pause, the closed eyes.

This dynamics is practised in two parts separated by a walk, the open eyes with "the intentionnality" to look "as if it were the 1st time" (cf phenomenology).

2 - The "Sophronisations":

Static methods on the body level practised into individual ; they are many and selected according to the pupil, of his request and their relevance.

One distinguishes the techniques associated with the present there :
primarily exercises of concentration or attention to a stimulus (breathing, feelings, pleasant image, "neutral" object...). They are the first techniques suggested to the beginners (with the 1st degree Dynamic Relaxation who presents similarity with these techniques). They can sometimes be proposed in group. For our part, we privilege Dynamic Relaxation.

Those directed towards the future : progressive acceptance of a dreaded event, systematic desensitizing (anxious states treatment, fear and phobias), future event positive evocation ... These techniques require the acquisition of basic techniques associated the
present (Dynamic Relaxation...).

Those directed towards the past : recent or anciens memories positive evocations. These technicals are less frequently proposed. They are always proposed after the positive experimentation of the preceding ones and are disadvised in group.

Three-dimensional techniques : present, past and future evocation, starting from a topic, a person or an object... We propose only seldom these techniques.

Let us note that, contrary to Dynamic Relaxations, the majority of these techniques (in particular those created before the years 1970) remain close to therapeutic hypnosis and can often make "plunge" the people in the "conscience sophroliminal lower layer" (cf the conscience fan ).

Practice extract (sophronisation) :

"You sit down in the position of your choice. Position which you can
modify constantly. If you decide it, you close the eyes... Presence
with oneself, body information... Conscience of the contacts with the
support : various parts of the body in contact... Contacts with clothing...

Conscience of the head and the face... forms, volumes, other feelings...

Conscience of the part before neck; nape of the neck...
Shoulders... Upper limbs, until the ends of the fingers...

Reception of the feelings on the level of the chest, the
thorax... of the dorsal areas... (forms, volumes, other body informations)...

Awakening of the abdominal belt... Observation of the movements which
accompany breathing... Conscience of the lumbar area... forms, curves, all feelings...

Conscience of the basin: the muscles glutei, périneum, sexual organs... Lower limbs, to the toes...

You live your body as a whole, in its unit... Presence with oneself...

You locate, in this moment, your conscience level :
sophroliminal level
conscience ...
(here will be proposed one or
two "intra-sophronic activation") "

"You carry out your exit of relaxation now, your
desophronisation, attentive with the changes associated with body
activation: move the feet, the legs, the fingers, hands, arm, the
jaws, the neck (...). Activate all your body... Before taking again an
activity, oblige you to make at least three large and deep
inspirations, by stretching you, yawning (...)"

info@sophrologie-info.com
www.sophrologie-info.com

EXAMPLE Of A PRACTICE GROUP

The practice group lasts approximately an hour. It is generally done at weekly intervals and aims to the training of a method usable in an autonomous way. At least this is our objective there.

A complete cycle classically consists of 10 meetings in group in more of regular personal drives (a daily meeting from 10 to 15 mn, ideally). Three weekly personal drives seem to be a minimum at the training time.

The meeting starts with short information (5 to 10 mn) during which
the participants can also intervene. Follows the meeting of relaxation
itself (30 to 40 mn). That Ci is practised upright and/or sat, with
various more or less energetic movements for "Dynamic Relaxation". This
stage, the participants and the sophrologist are on a particular conscience level
("sophroliminal level"), facilitating the awakening of
the feelings and the dynamization of the positive structures.

To finish, a free dialogue and without obligation is proposed, in bond
with the meeting (15 mn approximately). It can be interesting to note
in writing, in particular at the time of a first cycle, in a personal
way, its clean "lived" or "vivances" with its subjective fluctuations.

In sophrology, muscular relaxation is less important than the fact of being present at oneself or so that one makes, in "here and now" (cf. Zen). Besides the fact of seeking the muscular relaxation is likely to cause - in particular at the beginner - the same kind of result as at the time of the voluntary sleep research : the more one makes efforts, the less one does not arrive there !

The sophrology is more than one simple relaxation.

Many techniques are associated there : breathing directed, body feelings perception, concentration on a mental image (visual, auditive, olfactive, emotive...), visualization of a situation, sensors body schema reinforcement, work on the perception of the body forms and weight, balance ; meditation, etc.

All these techniques are not proposed of start but are adapted to the situation relevance or the person familiarity and the sophrologist control (cf supra, objective reality). Many techniques are reserved for these reasons with the individual relations. The sophrology, in its original form, does not use stimuli external others only the sophrologist voice : soft music, incenses, marrowy cushion, filtered light... are as many signs which
concerns the not-authenticity of the "sophrology" suggested. Caycedo specifies indeed that "to relax is to adapt to the situation present, whatever it is, in its objective reality".

Caycedo builts its method in a phenomenologic approach, as we suggested at the history time. The sophrology suggested by its founder stresses the importance of the phenomena experiment met during meetings, phenomena which should not thus induced but be only guided, each one living them differently.

Hüsserl (1859-1938), first to propose method of study of conscience
human, described "reduction philosophical" in several stages of which
return to things themselves (intentionnality, return to the phenomenon),
suspension of any judgement at the time of analysis
(époké, glance "as if it were the first time"), and the setting
between bracket of the phenomenon (to reveal essence of it). These
stages "of intentional analysis" of Hüsserl are found in the method
suggested by Caycedo.

See also the FAQ concerning the parasitic ideas.

The sophrology is also a humanistic universalist and transcendent philosophy. "while respecting its basic individuality and its freedom, the sophrology regards the man as alive within a company and forming integral part of transcendent humanity" (Caycedo, 1979).
It proposes a personality drive method, a positive potential development(cf supra) existing in each human being. The term of "relaxation" is thus well to include/understand in its etymological direction of release.

One would not have to see the sophrology like a panacea, response to all the evils and being appropriate to all the individuals. It is for example difficult for some only to be involved in residence in the phase of training. In addition, to take an image, when I have a gravel which obstructs me in a shoe, any sophrologist that I am, I remove my shoe to remove this gravel! In other words, no technique of sophrology can solve an important material problem but can "only" make it possible to relativize it or take retreat for better solving it.

But daily practice of the majority of the relaxation methods - whose sophrology wants to be to be a synthesis - in an individual way and autonomous remainder, according to us, a remedy for
many daily difficulties. It is thus interesting to develop with the drive a "relaxation response" reached in a few seconds. That is acquired only with practise... It is indeed impossible to cause this type of response facing to a stressing situation, without a basic drive.

That joined the training law (cf FAQ, training duration ).

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

RELAXATION INTERESTS

We have just specified some differences between relaxation and sophrology. We underline however here the interests of a regular relaxation practice.

Relaxation aims mainly to:

to decrease the muscular level of tension;

to obtain a psychological feeling of appeasing;

while maintaining the spirit in awakening.

See also the FAQ ("Indications")

According to a text of Jacques Van Rillaer, professor of psychology at the University of Leuwen-the-New and university Faculties St-Louis (Brussels), teaching with the French Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies - AFTCC - of Paris. This description relates to the relaxation known as behavioral (which uses primarily the Jacobson's progressive muscular relaxation or the autogenic training of Schultz) but remains valid for any method of relaxation used regularly and an autonomous way.

It is interesting to underline the interest to be regularly relax .

To relax itself does not consist in losing shape in a comfortable
armchair or making a nap under a tree in summer. It is a question of
being at the same time in a "let it happen attitude "( H. Benson), without useless tensions, while attentive or being concentrated on a given stimulus :
body feelings, breathing, mental image, sound, object... It is besides the stimulus choice which differs according to the method (sophrology, autogenic training, progressive relaxation, etc.) or according to the technique in sophrology.

Some people are unable to follow this type of drive. Let us note how these are often the last which would draw from them the most long-term benefit !

We think in particular of the "type A behavioral design", characterized by:

a fight counters time (impatience, speed in the action, several activities at the same time...) ;

a fight counters the others (social ambition, competitiveness, emotion of hostility...) ;

an engagement raised in the action (the glutton for work).

This behavioral design would be a factor of high risk of cardiovascular diseases at the man, in particular because of the first two points (urgency and hostility). Let us reassure the people
concerned: it is possible to modify this behavioral design and to reduce the coronary risk appreciably.

Objectives of relaxation training :

1 - To better manage the emotional reactions

The capacity to release itself well is an essential component in the emotions and impulses regulation training.

This training is useful to decrease the trac and other emotional reactions which disturb the daily optimal unfolding. While becoming able to decrease the psychic and mental tension in a stressing situation, one arrives to better adopting a problem resolution step and one is psychologically more effective.

The person who followed a relaxation training - in particular by the auto- drive pluri-weekly sessions - becomes more sensitive to the increase in body tensions, a capital index to engage a procedure of conscious self-management and to avoid being taken in an emotional storm. She becomes able to decrease in a few seconds the degree of tension and to thus approach optimal physiological activation for the desired behavior.

2 - To decrease the general stress level

The methodical training of relaxation makes it possible to decrease the excess muscular tension and psychic tension at people who are stressed in a frequent or chronic way. This training makes it possible to adopt a cool life style more, less tiring. It thus makes it possible to prevent a series of somatic and psychic disorders.

3 - To rest quickly

The training of relaxation makes it possible to recover energy quickly thanks to

- more or less long relaxation sessions (10 to 30 mn) and major

- the "mini-relaxations" (a few seconds or mn) distributed through the day.

In the event of extra work, it is preferable for health to make a "brake-relaxation" on-to consume stimulative substances, coffee for example.

4 - To facilitate a refreshing sleep

When one learned how to slacken quickly and well, one manages to fall asleep quickly, one rendort more easily in the event of sleep interruption, one sleeps better, more deeply. Time spent to sleep can be curtailed.

5 - To make serenity experiments

One can organize meetings of major relaxation during which one listens to music and/or one visualizes pleasant scenes mentally. These meetings allow what Abraham Maslow called "experiments of top", happy and revitalizing particularly moments .

Place relaxation in a behavioral therapy :

Certain psychological and somatic difficulties are solved simply by the training of relaxation according to the program suggested in particular within the behavioral therapies framework : regular meetings of relaxation-rest and quasi instantaneous adoption of an attitude relatively slackened as of the appearance of stressing situations.

It is the case of functional disorders, such as arterial hypertension, cephalgias tension, the back evils, certain insomnia forms, etc.

For a number of other difficulties, this training is a capital element, though nonsufficient (for example in the phobias treatment and the panic crises) or a very invaluable element, even if it is not essential (for example, in the treatment of certain depressions).

But, if you are prone to these disorders in a recurring way, we can that you to push to take council near your general practitioner of a psychiatrist or psychologist trained with the behavioral therapies.

In any event, the training of relaxation brings great satisfactions in the majority people who continued the entirety drive suggested in behavioral therapies. Invested time is largely regained thanks to the sleep quality improvement, the reduction in the stress and tiredness.

Thank you for your encouragements, critical, suggestions...

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANDRÉ C, Les thérapies cognitives, Éditions Bernet-Danilo, collection Essentialis.

BENSON H, The relaxation response, William Morrow and C°, inc 1976.

BOON, DAVROU, MACQUET, La sophrologie, une révolution en psychologie pédagogie, médecine ? Éditions Retz Poche.

CAYCEDO A, L'aventure de la sophrologie, propos recueillis par Y Davrou, 1979, Éditions Retz (épuisé).

CAYCEDO A, Code déontologique de la Sophrologie Actualisé 2001, Revue Sophrologie Caycedienne n° 24, éditions Sophrocay S.A., Andorre.

ESPOSITO R, Mais qu'est-ce que la phénoménologie ? Selon Husserl, Éditions ISR - La Sablière*

FERNANDEZ L., Sophrologie et compétition sportive , Éditions Vigot, collection Sport + Enseignement.

LOUSSOUARN T, Transformez votre vie par la sophrologie, Éditions Dangles.

PERREAULT-PIERRE E, Sophrologie et performance sportive, Éditions Amphora.

PAULHAN I et BOURGEOIS M, Stress et coping, les stratégies d'ajustement à l'adversité, Éditions PUF, collection Nodules.

SANTERRE B, Mais qu'est-ce que la sophrologie ? Éditions ISR - La Sablière*.

VAN RILLAER J, Les thérapies comportementales, Éditions Bernet-Danilo, collection Essentialis.

VAN RILLAER J, Peur, angoisses et phobies, Éditions Bernet-Danilo, collection Essentialis.

* Possible to order these works (fresh port in addition ) with

the "Institut de Sophrologie de Rennes" - I.S.R. center of
training in Sophrology, P.N.L., Nonverbal Relieving (Japanese
vibrations) and in relation of assistance.

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

Informations :

Pascal Gautier,

You can write to me with:

info@sophrologie-info.com

I haven't got a good english !

Pascal Gautier

Professional trainer and adviser assessment-psychologist, 40 years old, sophrologist within an associative framework since 1993. Formation (692 H) begun with the Institute from Sophrology from Rennes under the direction from Bernard SANTERRE in October 1991, Certificate of Fundamental Studies in Caycedian Sophrology ® (1993), I.S.R. diploma in 1997, Sophrology Vocational Schools Coordination in sophrologist expert (2002).
Rennes Sophrology Institute trainer, "stress" questions specialized .

One of the founder members and current president of association S.E.M.E., Sophrology And Good-To be, structure creates in 1993 by four sophrologists (with G Aguilar, J Guyon and C Marinier) trained at the Rennes Sophrology Institute .

President and founder member of association S.T.C.C., Sophrology and Therapies Behavioral and Cognitive (St Gregoire - 35), create in February 2001.

Graduate of one 2nd and 3rd cycle of social and cognitive psychology (University of Rennes 2) with work of studies and research on the stress and the coping’s stategies ; formed with the Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (graduate of l'Association Française de Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive - AFTCC - Paris (14).

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

TO BECOME SOPHROLOGUE

We invite you to consult the C.E.P.S. site : www.ceps.fr.st


Rennes - Nozay

ISR - Institut de Sophrologie de Rennes
Director: Pascal GAUTIER
1 Allée de la Sablière - 44170 NOZAY
107 av. Henri Fréville - BP 10704 - 35207 RENNES CEDEX 2
02 40 79 38 55 - 06 08 86 21 21
institut.sophro@wanadoo.fr site : www.sophrologie-formations.com

The professionals training proposed by the "Coordination des Écoles Professionnelles en Sophrologie" schools (the Sophrology Vocational Schools Coordination ) is addressed to any sufficiently motivated person, whatever her initial formation.
It brings competences which enable him to follow the occupation of sophrologist.

Places of vocational training in sophrology: Consult www.ceps.fr.st

info@sophrologie-info.com
http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

Frequently Asked Questions :

1 Sophrology and hypnosis - 2 Sophrology and Yoga

3 Sophrology and parapsychology - 4 Which context for relaxation ?

5 Which position for relaxation ? - 6 What to face the parasitic ideas ?

7 Personal training - 8 Exercises frequency

9 Exercises schedule - 10 training progression

11 Training duration - 12 Indications

13 Counter-indications - 14 Can I become sophrologist?

15 Your answer ?

This heading could be supplemented by your proposals or questions to formulate at our address.

1 Is the sophrology hypnosis?

Historically, the sophrology is closely related to hypnosis and certain sophrologists also use hypnosis. But the sophrology is not hypnosis.

A first series of differences is the absence of philosophy, of personality drive method and specific semantics in hypnosis.

One second, related to the first, is the reduced place left to the person (more often "patient" in the case of hypnosis). The objective can be wished by the patient (hypnosis therapeutic, for example) but the means of obtaining it is entirely under the hypnotist control. In sophrology, on the contrary, one proposes about adapting a method to use it in an autonomous way. It is however possible to meet hypnotists who are presented in the sophrologists form ... and hypnotizing sophrologists without the knowledge or to recognize it!

Thus the use of a poetic language, "fine wordss", metaphors... are techniques of "seduction" or of handling very much used in hypnosis (and alas, in much of "sophrologic" approaches) and do not make the "patient" ("passive") autonomous.

"Terpnos Logos" ideal (the sophrologist speech during the session) would be... silence!

Let us specify on the one hand that sophrologist Terpnos Logos must evolve/move with the wire of acquisitions of the guided people: of explanatory at the beginning (and thus more detailed), it becomes orientatif and proposes nothing any more but kinds of beacons with,
for example, the use of key names in short sentences. In addition it can be useful, in rare emergency cases, to use a persuasive or hypnotic language.

There would remain beaucoupà to say concerning the language: we invite you to read

Helene SANTERRE, Mais... qu'est-ce que le langage ? A propos du Terpnos Logos, , editions ISR

"hypnosis is thus an experimental chapter, but very few sophrologists the practice still" (Caycedo, 1979, p.62).

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

2 Sophrology and Yoga?

Caycedo lived in India with yogis. It thus knows well the direction transcendantal Yoga, even if this direction is often put on side in occident. Yoga is anchored in the religious thought of India: "that which does not believe in the reincarnation, nor in the karma law, does not make - us Caycedo says - yoga in its pure and exact form ; it is the same for Japanese Zen ".

So some among you "practise" Yoga, without adhering to subjacent philosophy, this first answer is undoubtedly not satisfactory. It is true that the first degree "Dynamic Relaxation" takes as a starting point a form of Yoga. It is thus normal to find there - seen outside - similarities: breathing synchronized with certain movements, concentration on the body feelings, full conscience of the act carried out... But in sophrology, one will not ask you to
sit down in "lotus" (a chair is more often used) or to do others "asanas" (codified postures). One will not speak to you more about "prana", or energy in a esoteric meaning. One will exchange more on your experiment of the meeting and you will remain free to adapt the
proposals to your possibilities or moment limits.

Let us note that "Yoga" such as one can practise it in France, remains a healthy and extremely beneficial discipline. Jacobson's Progressive relaxation, autogenic training of Schultz, sophrology, Yoga, Taï Chi Chuan, etc are different proposals which can lead to the same
wellbeing: each one has today often the possibility of choosing the discipline which is appropriate to him best. I do not believe that there is a way better than another, he exists on the other hand probably "guides" more qualified than of others... of the more pragmatic proposals, others more philosophical. Then remain with interested to involve itself actively and not to consume passively.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

3 Sophrology and parapsychology ?

Parapsychology studies the paranormaux phenomena. The sophrology, on the contrary, is interested in the human and universal conscience, the normal phenomena specific to the human being.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

4 Which context to practise relaxation ? (1)

It is important to be put in good situation to begin the training suitably. Ask the close relations of you to only leave and quiet during half an hour (if required to place on the door a label of
the style "not to disturb - please."). Empty the bladder. Choose a calm and pleasant place. Take care to profit from a good temperature, neither too cold (what causes muscular crispations), nor too heat.
Neutralize the possible sources of distraction (disconnect the telephone, close the windows... the continuous sound of a ventilator is not necessarily disturbing). Loosen possible tie and clothing, remove the shoes, the glasses, etc.

Let us note however that the sophrology aims also a better adaptation to the daily situations usually perceived like difficult. It is thus important to learn how "to release itself" in a "comfortable" context less: full light, external noises, without audio cassette (or another
crutch)... And gradually, opened eyes, the body moving (Dynamic Relaxation).

A "sophrologist" who proposes to you meetings in the half-light with a soft music or another artifice, facilitates relaxation in the vulgar term direction(kind of nap) but approaches more than one meeting of hypnosis and will not allow you to reach autonomy. This type of proposal does not form part of the sophrology such as we conceive it.

See also question 5 and 10.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

5 Which position to release itself ? (1)

"A that which seeks sincerely and with the frame of mind suitable,
any posture makes it possible to progress"
. K.G. Dürckheim, 1976.

It is advised, to begin, to choose a comfortable position in which the muscular tensions are reduced as much as possible. To lengthen on the back; sat in an armchair with a support head; sat on a chair with then without file, hands posed on the thighs or the knees; upright the arms along the body... are positions which could be adopted - in this order - with the drives wire.

In sophrology, we privilege from now on the sitted postures head rectified - with alternatives according to the level or degree of "Dynamic Relaxation" - and the postures upright. A beginner will be able to involve himself lengthened, except if it tends to fall asleep. In this last case it will prefer the sitting position use.

Posture "Isocay":


(Maël, 5 years)

Caycedo recommends a posture sitting with the rectified head (spinal column along a vertical axis), an angle of 90° between the trunk and the thighs, between the thighs and the legs, the hands posed flat on the horizontal thighs and the feet well flat on the ground.
This posture relatively tonic "Isocay" avoids "the descent of the conscience level which would make it fall into the lower layer (...) which carries out to inhibition situation and conscience deterioration, in hypnotic states and the sleep" (Caycedo, 2001, pp.11-12). See the chapter o
n the
Conscience.

The 3rd degree posture:

Gradually, it would be interesting to adopt the the 3rd degree posture which is a posture inherited the Zen tradition adapted to our Western practices.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

6 How to cope with the parasitic ideas during relaxation?(1)

Intrusive or parasitic ideas inevitably appear. It is generally ineffective to want to drive out them at all costs. When they emerge, the most effective strategy generally consists in reorientating the attention towards information or feelings body, breathing... rather than to want at all costs to drive out these ideas or "to make the vacuum". It is also important to agree to be thus relatively rather disturbed than to be irritated.

A fundamental attitude for good to release itself is "leave-to be", "carelessness", "carelessness", "to let pass"... After several weeks or month of practice, the intrusive ideas become less frequent and important. The concentration improves considerably.

The conscience is always directed towards something. One cannot thus "not think" or "make the vacuum". But we can decide to direct our conscience towards the object (in the broad sense) which we choose. The natural attitude or primary (Husserl) of our conscience is to
allot to our knowledge a direction with the objects taking into consideration our knowledge. The sophrology matter - being based in that on
phenomenology (according to Husserl) - is to discover our conscience (its psychic, somatic dimensions...) in a neutral attitude, as if it were the first time (it is acted in fact always of one 1st time, each moment being different!).

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com


7 Personal training in sophrology

It is important to envisage not only one daily moment (planned) but also a place of drive. Ten minutes are enough after the phase to training: better is worth to privilege the repetition (10mn
tous.les.jours or 4 days per week) at the duration (a one hour/week meeting).

A daily meeting can constitute with :

1. to make a body stimulation upright extracted the "1st degree Dynamic Relaxation " (while taking care not to always choose the same one) with the integration pause ( feelings reception, phenomena perception) which must last time at least as many;

2. to sit down to make a concentration on the object during more than one minute ;

3. to if required make an additional technique already tested with a sophrologist ;

4. a integration pause or a body reading, head with the feet ;

5. a pause of totalization or integration of all the meeting during some breathings ;

6. the 3 basic capacities dynamization suggested in sophrology (or capacities of your choice): self-confidence, harmony, capacity of hope ;

7. the conscience activation or "desophronisation" with ...

8. ... a synthetic written phenomena "phéno-description" : session perception and critical (feelings, emotions, thought...).

This session is only a proposal, in particular for the people "only" knowing the 1st degree.

To consult for information our extract of a meeting of sophronisation

See also, for a "theoretical" explanation more, our chapter on the conscience.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

8 Exercices Frequency ?(1)

Ideally the exercises of relaxation or sophrology appear one or twice each day, at least for the period of training. If you are very occupied, you can limit yourselves to a exercise every two days. Three or four exercises per week is a minimum to progress at a good rate/rhythm. You can also curtail the meeting. Note our remark on the behavioral design of type A describes in the interests of relaxation.
The training is all the more fast as the exercises are frequent. It is however not very useful to be exerted more twice per day.

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com


9 Exercices schedule ? (1)

The exercises can be made at various hours. It is even advised to try to vary the schedule. However one cannot carry out a suitable exercise when one is been short by the time or extremely stressed by concern! The morning with the alarm clock is not ideal, especially if
you have engagements: you are likely to be crispé(e) or to send you to sleep again, in particular if you choose to make your lengthened meeting. The evening, very right before falling asleep, is often the best moment for the very occupied people. However, at this time, the
exercise is likely to be stopped by endormissement. This is a disadvantage if it is often the case (unless the training of relaxation aims to facilitate endormissement).

Moments to advise are: worms 14 hours (vigilance is generally less; relieving constitutes an excellent pause at this time); around 6 p.m. (the tiredness of the day relaxation supports, but involves less easily endormissement than at the time of sleeping; it can then support a more pleasant or more productive evening).

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

10 Meetings duration and training progression ?(1)

(see also following question)

1. The first meetings will be long and deep: approximately half an hour of "relaxation" (the first fifteen days).

2. The personal meetings will have gradually to be curtailed at 20 minutes (fifteen following meetings, for example) then 10 minutes (fifteen other meetings). But of the meetings of approximately 30 minutes (or more) could be practised regularly.

3. This training stage, it would be interesting to program the "mini-relaxations" or "minute-relaxation", carried out in determined situations, in more of the meetings of 10 mn. For example, with each waiting (red light, elevator, file...), before starting the car, each time that one puts oneself at table or work ; each time the telephone sounds or that one goes to the toilets, etc. Caution! it is not enough to have the intention: it is necessary "to program" concretely, to lay down progressive objectives (so many minutes-relaxations in the day course...).

4.The last stage consists in decreasing the tension vis-a-vis with stressing situations. This stage is most difficult and requires an important preliminary drive to be effective (2 months at a rate of a daily meeting seem a minimum).

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

11 Training duration ?(1)

(see also preceding question).

During the training, it is capital to avoid any haste and any perfectionism: it is important to repeat the exercises, to still repeat them, and not to seek a start to carry out good "performances". The first exercises must be done slowly.

At the majority of the people, the capacity to release itself quickly and well develops only step by step. Like other psychomotor skills (to write, to swim, to roll à.vélo), it results from a progressive training.

Thus, to answer the duration question necessary is difficult :
how long did you put to learn how to swim, to take this example? Do you consider that you do not have anything any more to learn in swimming?

We classically propose a cycle of 10 framed weekly meetings, intersected with three personal meetings (i.e., at final the four days different in the same week). Approximately two months thus should be hoped (or around fifty of personal meetings) to acquire the sufficient bases with an autonomous training.

The more one involves oneself, the more effective it is fast and "to be released", and the more one can easily apply this drive to the daily situations.

Three stages are distinguished in sophrology: the discovery, the conquest, the "conscience" transformation (see definition of the conscience in the history).

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

12 Indications

See also "Interests of relaxation"

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

13 Counter-indications

There is not, with properly not spoken, of counter-indications. Let us announce however certain restrictions on the practice of relaxation :

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

14 Can I become sophrologist ?

Why not? There is not thenecessary one in term of diploma or formation to exert in the "social" branch (versus "medical"). Contact for example one of the C.E.P.S. schools member

We disadvise a formation by correspondence to you : one can acquire there knowledge (theoretical) but not this type of know-how. For the same reasons, you ensure that the stress is laid on the practice.
Privilege the organizations utilizing several sophrologists - trainers and in whom the supervisions (controlled animations, criticized...) are obligatory (and not "advised" or optional!).
250 hours seem to us the necessary minimum to have the bases necessary to animation but a 400 hours total of formation (over 2 years, for example) is necessary to become a qualified professional. Lastly, check that there is a "service after formation", whether one can advise you or direct...
Lastly, check that there is a "service after formation", whether one can advise you or direct...
The CEPS schools answer these criteria !

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

15 Your answer ?

Return FAQ

http://gb.sophrologie-info.com

(1) According to a text of Jacques Van Rillaer, already quoted.

Thank you for your reading.

This site was translated by the SYSTRAN software (see www.systransoft.com)
starting from the site: www.sophrologie-info.com.
Thank you to announce me any error !
webmaster@sophrologie-info.com

History | Étymology, definition | 3 Technical principles | Conscience | Techniques | Meeting in group | Interests of relievign | Bibliography | CV | To become sophrologist | FAQ |