Sophrology - What is it?
Sophrology was created in 1960 by the neuropsychiatrist Alfonso Caycedo, who wanted to find other therapeutic techniques that were more effective and much less aggressive than those commonly used in psychiatry at the time. For this, he was inspired by several practices such as certain relaxation techniques, yoga, zen, hypnosis, Buddhism and phenomenology (apprehending reality as it is given, without judgment, through the phenomena ).
A true method of global relaxation, since physical and mental, sophrology allows you to become aware of your body and to develop "harmony between body and mind" . Exclusively verbal, non-tactile, it combines controlled breathing, muscle relaxation, activation of the body through movement and visualization of positive images for educational purposes.
In general, this global approach promotes well-being and teaches you to better control your emotions. A real stress management tool, sophrology helps improve quality of life.
The Greek roots of the term “sophrology” shed light on its deep meaning:
sôs: harmony, peace, balance
phrên: mind, consciousness
logos: study, science
Sophrology is thus defined as a "science of consciousness in harmony".