What is Autogenic Therapy?

AN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE SELF-HELP THERAPY

A UNIQUE MIND AND BODY THERAPY WHICH GIVES SELF CONTROL OVER HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Autogenic Therapy uses simple mental exercises to bring about profound physical relaxation and a state of inner peace. This allows the mind/body system to tap into its own self-curative processes. These mental exercises are easily learned silent formulae related to the body in a relaxed state (e.g. heaviness and warmth in the limbs). Repetition of these formulae induce a deeply relaxed state which allows the mind to calm itself by switching off the body's stress responses. A variety of changes in physical function and brain wave activity can be measured during autogenic practice, showing that a normalising process takes place.

'Autogenic' means 'self-generating'. The method is self administered and taps into the system's remarkable capacity for healing and re-balancing of both physical and psychological functions. Once mastered, AT is always available without the need for a therapist or any equipment.

The Autogenic Standard Exercises can be adapted to include personalised formulae to help with specific goals in performance, motivation or healing. Once learned, AT is an important and invaluable life skill, providing the inner resources to maintain healthy balance and deal with stress in body and mind.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

A variety of complementary exercises are introduced to deal with the effect of unresolved emotions on our health and well-being. These address feelings such as anxiety and fear, anger and frustration, sadness and hurt.

The combination of using a deep relaxation programme, with the added dimension of emotional release when required, gives an individual a remarkable tool-kit for maintaining emotional and physical equilibrium for the rest of their lives.

Autogenic Therapy is a permanent life skill.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AUTOGENIC THERAPY ?

Significant improvement can occur within a few weeks.

People who have learned AT commonly report:

Increased good health emotional balance coping ability well-being quality of sleep ability to relax confidence energy performance at work or in sport awareness of own needs ability to assert oneself remain calm under pressure

Decreased anxiety irritable reactions to stress physical symptoms

WIDE APPLICATION

Autogenic Therapists work in many different fields, including:

• Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
• NHS cardiac units
• NHS psychiatric units
• NHS rheumatoid and arthritis units
• NHS hospices
• Complementary therapy centres
• Private practice
• Psychotherapy practices
• Counselling practices
• GP practices
• Homeopathic practices
• Education
• Sports clinics
• Industry

AUTOGENIC THERAPY - THE NINE SESSION COURSE

Overview

The standard exercise is built up gradually over a nine session course and is made up of a number of mental formulae practised for a few minutes each day which utilise the body's natural ability to reverse stress

Initial Assessment

An individual interview to assess the suitability of AT and the individual needs of the well being client

Session One

Gives information on comfortable postures for practising AT and focuses on heaviness in the limbs as a common manifestation of relaxation

Session Two

Extends heaviness to the neck and shoulders, which carry a lot of tension and introduces complementary techniques to facilitate the autogenic process

Session Three

Introduces warmth to the limbs as deepened relaxation reverses the stress response and blood flow to the skin increases

Session Four

Focuses on a calm, regular heart beat

Session Five

Focuses on breathing

Session Six

Focuses on abdominal warmth

Session Seven

Focuses on cooling the forehead and on remaining cool headed even when not doing an AT exercise

Session Eight

Introduces personal formulae giving a chance to personalise the message to the system

Session Nine

Is a follow-up session six weeks or so after completing the course

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM AUTOGENIC THERAPY ?

Autogenic Therapy can be used to provide a non drug approach for many problems or to support and enhance progress in other therapies. It has been clinically applied over a wide range of disorders.

It is not necessary to be ill to benefit from AT. Many people learn AT in order to improve their work efficiency by sharpening their awareness and discernment. Others use AT to mobilise creativity, improve sports performance or facilitate personal growth and inner development.

CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS HELPED BY AUTOGENIC THERAPY

ANXIETY ARTHRITIS ASTHMA BACKACHE BLADDER DISORDERS BOWEL PROBLEMS (Irritable bowel, Colitis) CHEST PAINS CIRCULATION PROBLEMS DEPRESSION FATIGUE HEADACHES INABILITY TO RELAX LACK OF CONFIDENCE LOSS OF CREATIVITY

MIGRAINE MUSCULAR PAIN AND TENSION NEGATIVITY PAIN PALPITATIONS PANIC ATTACKS PENT UP AGGRESSION PHOBIAS PHYSICAL TENSION POOR CIRCULATION PRE MENSTRUAL TENSION RAISED BLOOD PRESSURE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION SKIN PROBLEMS SLEEP PROBLEMS

 

 

 

Author: Eileen Goodall
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