What Is Sophrology?

Imagine this sung to the tune of Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)

Schools use it.

Olympic teams use it.

Even pregnant moms-to-be use it.

Everyone can use it. It’s Sophrology!

Sophrology and Me

In 2019, as I was developping my signature Flourish program, I kept on coming back to the benefits I had experienced with sophrology in 2015. You see, I came close to a major burnout in my last job, complete with panic attacks. A colleague of mine suggested trying sophrology, and so I started seeing a sophrologist once a week for a couple of months, hoping that it would help me get back on track.

In a matter of a few weeks, my sophrologist helped me to reduce my stress, take a step back, and gain a bit of perspective on the situation. The panic attacks stopped and I was better equipped to deal with the changes occurring at work.

I wanted to be able to help my clients in the same way!

So I decided to take the plunge and sign up for a nationally recognized sophrology training program in France, in order to become a certified sophrologist.

Sophrolo-what?

Yes, sophrology is a strange word (!) and one that very few people in the English-speaking world have ever seen. Every time I tell friends and family in Canada about my studies, they always ask me the same question: what’s sophrology?

Put simply, sophrology is a mind-body technique that uses breathwork, gentle movement and positive visualisation to help decrease stress and increase feelings of wellbeing.

Yes, but what does sophrology mean? (Ah, you like etymology, too?)

The roots of the word sophrology come from Greek:

Sos – harmony, serenity

Phren – mind or consciousness

Logos – the study of

So the word means: the study of harmonious consciousness

“The sister to mindfulness and meditation, this practice promises to clear and de-stress the mind using a combination of powerful relaxation techniques.” – Marie Claire

Sophrology’s Beginnings

Neuro-psychiatrist, Alfonso Caycedo, developped sophrology in Spain in 1960. The medical world first used it to help patients deal with their treatments, then a few years later, sophrology became a personal development tool.

Taking influences from both Western science and Eastern practices, Caycedo created a technique that can help calm the mind and relax the body, resulting in feelings of wellbeing and a renewed zest for life.

While it is still relatively unknown in English-speaking countries, literally millions of Europeans have been practising sophrology over the last 60+ years. From hospitals, schools and retirement homes, to Olympic teams and corporate environments, sophrology is gaining more and more fans around the world.

Its health benefits are so well recognized that many of the French and Swiss extended health insurance companies reimburse the cost of sophrology sessions.

Sophrology is good for your overall health!

The Benefits of Sophrology

Sophrology can be used for various reasons and in many different circumstances, such as:

personal development

improving self confidence & self-esteem
creating work/life balance
finding clarity and purpose
learning to let go
boosting positivity
increasing productivity

anxiety & stress management

dealing with pressure at work
managing panic attacks and mood swings
improving sleep
navigating relationship issues
avoiding burnout and exhaustion
improving concentration

special event mental preparation

giving birth
preparing to take exams or driving tests
giving speeches or interviews
dealing with stage fright or performance issues
competing in sporting events

medical treatments, phobias & addictions

Sophrology cannot replace any medical or psychological treatment. It can, however, be an efficient complementary technique to help manage pain, phobias, eating disorders, and addictions.

What Happens In A Sophrology Session?

Aside from talking, there are two different kinds of exercises that are practised in sophrology, both of which are guided solely by the sophrologist’s voice (i.e. not hands-on): dynamic relaxation and positive visualisation.

Dynamic Relaxation

This may seem like an oxymoron, but it’s actually an active way to relax! If you’ve ever had difficulty sitting still during meditation, you’ll like these exercises because they give you something to do while you’re deeply relaxing. The dynamic relaxation exercises are mostly performed standing up or seated, and combine gentle movement, controlled breathing and a specific intention.

Positive Visualisation

The guided positive visualisation can be done seated or lying down, and starts with a body scan (deep relaxation of the whole body), followed by specific guided imagery based on the intention. This visualisation is not hypnosis, but it does bring the participant into a deeply relaxed state by calming the mind.

Sophrology is a short-term practice that usually lasts between 2 and 3 months, assuming one session per week. A typical sophrology session is 60 to 75 minutes long and follows the same format.

A time for talking about current feelings or challenges
3 to 4 dynamic relaxation exercises
1 guided positive visualisation
Another time for sharing feelings or aha! moments that came up during the session

Individual Versus Group Sessions

Sophrology can be practised one-on-one or in a group setting with a sophrologist.

1:1 Sessions

Individual 1:1 sessions include a personalized protocol geared to the person’s specific needs. Over the course of the treatment, participants begin to feel calmer, happier, more resilient and increasingly aware of their own capabilities and resources.

The exercises learned during the treatment become tools that can be used at home, both during the treatment (homework is encouraged!) and afterwards.

Group Sessions

Group sessions are held with the same people over a number of weeks and can delve into a specific theme (improving sleep or team performance, for example) that is relevant to everyone in the group.

“[Sophrology is] access to consciousness for everyone, without having to spend years meditating or standing on your head. It’s a simple, powerful technique.” – Refinery 29

How Can You Practise Sophrology?

If you want to work with a sophrologist, sessions can be held in person and online, provided you have a calm place with a reliable internet connection.

If you’d like to work with me, I offer personalized 1:1 sessions in addition to more general group sessions.

You can read all about working with me HERE.

Sophrology exercises: tools for life!

As you practise your exercises, you gain more confidence in your ability to deal with challenging situations. You become increasingly aware of your capability to remain calm, take a step back and let go. And this can be applied to all areas of your life!