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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology summary
Dominique Antiglio
Breathe and Connect with the Calm and Happy You
20 mins
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The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology
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Sophrology is a dynamic blend of Western medicine and Eastern meditative techniques.
Sometimes, going to the doctor doesn’t do the trick. You might get the tests done, you might take the medication, but still, you don’t feel well.
That’s a sign that it’s time to look beyond conventional medicine. To what? How about sophrology – a healing practice that focuses on restoring the balance between mind and body as a means of achieving overall health and happiness.
The term “sophrology” embodies the idea of balance. It’s derived from sophrosyne, a word used by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato to mean balance and harmony between body, mind and soul.
The practice of sophrology was created by Alfonso Caycedo, a Spanish doctor born in 1932. While studying medicine in Madrid, Caycedo found himself confronting the limits of Western medical treatment; he was especially dismayed by the electroshock treatment that mentally ill patients were subjected to at the hospital where he worked. This violent method – which often induced comas in the patients – led him to ask why consciousness should have to be shaken in order to heal.
Clearly, Western medicine was limited in its ability to address illness – especially mental illness. As a result, he started searching for ways to go beyond it.
In 1965, Caycedo began traveling in India and Japan, where he spent years studying Eastern approaches to healing.
In India, he worked with yogis and doctors to better understand the power of breathwork and bodywork in transforming consciousness. He traveled to Dharamshala to learn about Tibetan Buddhism. In Japan, he studied the principles of Zen meditation.
Upon returning to Spain, he devoted himself to combining the practices he had studied with his Western medical training, blending yoga, Buddhist meditation and Zen meditation with neurology, psychology and psychiatry. The result was sophrology.
From the 1960s to the 1980s, Caycedo continued to refine the practice with his patients. Developing guided exercises that combined breathing techniques, meditation and visualization, he structured the practice into the 12 Levels of Sophrology, a series of clear steps aimed at helping you discover, master and transform your consciousness. These 12 Levels take at least a couple of years to perfect, but even the basics of sophrology – the Foundation and Level 1 Practices – will set you on your way to well-being.
Best of all, sophrology is designed to be adaptable to every lifestyle, fitness level and schedule, so anyone can do it – you don’t even need a yoga mat.
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What is The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology about?
The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology (2018) delves deep into the “gentle superpower” of sophrology, a unique healing practice that uses breathing techniques, meditation and creative visualization to relieve stress and enable you to manage the challenges of everyday life. Sophrology’s simple but powerful tools are adaptable to all lifestyles and schedules – just a few minutes of practice a day will guide you to improved health, happiness and well-being.
Best quote from The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology
Sophrology offers the chance for you to pause, to connect with and clear stress today, and to channel your resources for a better tomorrow.
—Dominique Antiglio
Who should read The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology?
- Sufferers of anxiety and stress
- Wellness seekers working through health issues
- Parents who struggle with family demands
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