Sophrology Center Online Blog

 
28th July 2014

Emotions and the Body-Mind Connection

Become aware of your body as your thoughts change…

 

In sophrology, rather than experiencing the mind and body as two separate systems, we recognise that the mind and body are linked in delicate yet fundamental ways.  The daily experiences we think of as happening “in our minds” actually produce sensations in the body and the body moves into a posture to reflect these thoughts and emotions.  The reverse is also true and the posture of the body in turn affects the emotions.

For example:

When we are feeling down, we sit or walk with shoulders slouched and tend to look down or even hang the head down (as if we are carrying the world on our shoulders), this ‘body-language’ sends a message to the brain telling it we are ‘down’, ‘blue’, etc..  you will find that with the body in this posture it is not easy or even impossible to experience light and happy emotions.
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18th July 2014

Sophro Summer University No: 2!

As well as the Andorra sophro experience I also participated in theSummer University (in the UK we say Summer School in France it’s a university!) of ‘La Fédération des Ecoles Professionnelles en Sophrologie’ one of the many French Sophrology Federations.

It was the first time that I had met up with this group and I was surprised to find that some of the directors of the member schools had been with me at the Trainer Training course in Andorra in 2003.  It was fun to discuss old times and our journeys from then till now.
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12th July 2014

Breathing to lower stress, reduce tension, and relax

Deep breathing is known to be one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.  The brain then sends this message to your body and all those things that happen when you are stressed, for example; increased heart rate, fast breathing, high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax.

Have you ever noticed how you breathe when you feel relaxed?

The next time you feel deeply relaxed, take a moment to notice how you are breathing and how your body feels, you may also want to notice how you breathe just before you fall asleep or even first thing in the morning as you wake up.
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7th July 2014

Well-Being with Sophrology

I just got back from the Summer University of the International Sophrology Academy in Andorra. With lightning storms and driving rain, the long journey Geneva to Andorra wasn’t for the faint of heart, but as the conference started, the sun broke through the clouds and the smiles came out.

The Summer University is held every year in Andorra, where Alphonso Caycedo, the founder of Sophrology now resides. This year over 260 professional Sophrologists flew in from all four corners of Europe, and it was great to see so many friendly faces and hear the new developments in the field.

Dorna Revie at the International Sophrology Academy in AndorraThis year the theme was Well Being with Sophrology with 2 days devoted to new techniques on how to manage stress with Sophrology. Natalia Caycedo (daughter of Alphonso) gave a presentation on an 8-session stress management course, which is perfect for training the mind to effectively cope with stress.

The idea is to build up a resistance to stress, and strengthen your mind so that you are better able to cope when you encounter it. For those already dealing with high stress levels, the exercises gave us tools to release the stress throughout the day so that it doesn’t accumulate.
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30th June 2014

4 Stress relief practices that really work!

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to.

When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy – called the “fight-or-flight” stress response.

In sophrology we understand that managing stress is key to good health and overall wellbeing.

Sophrology is a training programme consisting of practices aimed at improving mind focus leading to improved health and well-being known as Sophrology Training.
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16th June 2014

Exploring the Five Senses

A simple sophrology exercise

Sophrology is about waking up, connecting with ourselves, and appreciating the fullness of each moment of life. It is a profound way to enhance psychological and emotional resilience, and increase life satisfaction. Sophrology involves consciously bringing awareness to your here-and-now experience with openness, interest, and non-judgment.

With sophrology one of the exercises we practice is ‘the appreciation of our 5 senses’ and here we would like to share a simple exercise with you, where you will explore a fruit of your choice as if it is the first time you are experiencing this fruit, using each of your 5 senses.

What you will need for this exercise:dorna 5 senses quote
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5th June 2014

Sophrology Diploma Course Videos

 

Here are some videos from our Sophrology Diploma Course participants, answering why they chose Sophrology and share their experience of the course.

 


 

 

 

Here’s Dorna, discussing the course from her perspective.

28th January 2014

Midwife of the Soul

People often say that I am a ‘midwife of the soul’. That I help people to bring their soul into being. It is true that many people come to me when they are feeling, stuck, lost, sense that something is missing in their lives or are determined in start following their own life path.

 

Since my birth sign is Aries with Capricorn rising I love climbing mountain paths and also I know the thrill of going straight up and the joy of taking the time to meander. There are many paths leading to being confident and trusting enough to start letting your own light shine, however, we all know when the time is ready and when we may need the extra boost to launch true selves in the world.

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