Dancehealth Debbie Malina looks at Sophrology he incorporated elements of his findings into the new method. Dynamic During the 1960s he spent time studying in Switzerland with Dr Raymond Abrezol. This doctor became so enthusiastic about the technique relaxation that he proceeded to use Sophrology while coaching the Swiss ski team that elatively few people in the run Sophrology courses enabling subsequently gained several Olympic UK know very much about staff to reduce their stress levels. gold medals. Dr Abrezol has continued R Sophrology at present, The concept behind Sophrology was to be instrumental in promoting the although its benefits have been used and devised by Professor Alfonso Caycedo system, both in Switzerland and in appreciated across many parts of Europe during the middle of the 20th century. several other European countries. for more than 50 years. In essence, Having moved to Spain from his this structured technique is safe and native Colombia to study medicine, hile there are many Academies of gentle, combining breathing, relaxation, Caycedo specialised in psychiatry WSophrology in French-speaking concentration and visualisation exercises and neurology. Faced with the limited countries, until relatively recently little together with some simple movements. range of treatments available at was known about the approach in the Although Sophrology draws that time for patients suffering with English-speaking world. A few years ago, from a range of existing practices – psychiatric illness, Caycedo felt there however, this situation changed when the encompassing yoga, hypnotherapy needed to be better options than drugs, method was translated into English by and guided meditation – it is a new chemicals and electroshock therapy. Scottish-born Dorna Wilson-Revie, who discipline that has reshaped these When he found many patients were had trained and qualified with Caycedo. techniques into a purpose-designed wary of using hypnosis, Caycedo In 2006 she held the first English- and structured approach. The method devised a new approach and called spoken Sophrology course in Geneva; is holistic and non-invasive, using it Sophrology. This word was derived since then, interest has been spreading elements of eastern and western from ancient Greek: Sos meaning and it is now used in Canada, the US traditions, focusing on enabling body serenity and harmony, Phren equating and Australia. The first Sophrology and mind to operate in harmony. to spirit and consciousness while Logos Academy in the UK opened last year. In France it has been used over translates as science and study. Sophrology has much to offer dancers. many years and is widely employed in As he was developing ideas for the As well as helping to deal with stress and a range of areas including education, technique Caycedo became interested anxiety, it can improve concentration ➣ medicine, dance, sports and athletics. in understanding more about different Hospitals find it helps patients prepare aspects of modifying consciousness. for surgical procedures or childbirth; This led him to embark on a school pupils benefit from learning three-year trip to the Far East to concentrate better and cope more encompassing India, Tibet easily with the anxiety of exams, while and Japan, subsequently multi-national companies regularly Dancing Times \ November 2011 \ 33 Dance Health - Nov.indd 33 13/12/11 11:10:50 Dynamic relaxation and help anticipate performance through and fatigue. After collapsing and being of the body. Several of the major dance positive visualisation. The method can be taken to hospital, my GP recommended schools and companies there often run used for personal development, coping I consult a Sophrologist, which I did and group Sophrology sessions. Similarly, with pain management, overcoming this changed everything for me. From professional sports people in France have addictions and addressing body image being incapacitated and hardly able to been using the method since the 1970s. issues. When using the technique get out of bed, within a relatively short “The technique is about developing dancers learn to identify specific physical space of time I was re-energised and able mindfulness of what you are doing. It can tensions and are then able to relax to live as I wanted. The technique helped provide mental preparation for a specific quickly, allowing them to focus energy me learn how to relax and rebalanced me performance or a particularly difficult in areas where it is needed. Different completely. I was able to pull out of the enchaînement. A calm mind in a well- breathing techniques can limit stress, state I was in and get back to normal. prepared body can help you cope with calming associated symptoms such as “Over a period of 12 years I worked stage fright and anxiety. Dancers find palpitations, trembling and sweating. as a PA for various European companies the visualisation aspect of Sophrology to at a high level and found I was easily be especially helpful. Part of the brain lorence Parot is the founder able to deal with all the pressures will believe a visualised image has really Fand director of the Sophrology involved. Colleagues could see I was happened; this lifts some of the anxiety Academy in Kent, which opened in May benefiting from using the technique of actually carrying out a movement as last year, and is the first school in the and started asking me for advice on the mind thinks it has already done so. UK to train professional Sophrologists. learning how to relax. One thing led “There are many other aspects and “The technique is a holistic balancing to another, I decided to retrain and techniques involved in Sophrology as method,” she comments. “Sophrology graduated from a leading Parisian well as visualisation. For dancers it is is based on relaxation and breathing school of Sophrology five years ago. beneficial that a lot of the work is carried techniques, concentration, visualisation “Having opened a practice in Paris, out standing up, which is unusual for and simple movements; it is at the which was situated close to the Opera relaxation techniques. This enables crossroads between western relaxation House and several dance schools, I them to learn how to concentrate techniques and eastern meditation. was regularly visited by dancers, both and focus in any position while also “I first experienced Sophrology when students and professionals. Dancers in working on their breathing, and is good I was a student, nearly 20 years ago. France have known about Sophrology for general preparation when dancing. At the time I was suffering from burn- a long time; they find it can help them “Many teachers sent their students to out, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to work on concentration and awareness me as they felt they needed ‘grounding’ and were experiencing problems with concentration. The technique does give you greater ‘presence’, and can help you to be more focused in what you are learning. Sophrology can provide support for dealing with stage fright by removing tension through using a combination of breathing and imagery techniques, ➣ Dancing Times \ November 2011 \ 35 Dance Health - Nov.indd 35 13/12/11 11:10:51 Dynamic relaxation allowing you to feel energetic in a good aims of Sophrology is to help people live way that will stop your legs shaking. more consciously with their mind and “Wherever possible, Sophrology body in harmony. In effect, it helps you trainers adapt the technique to the become your own therapist, enabling person they are working with. Many you to learn how to relax, respond to classic relaxation systems do not stressful events and become more aware always offer much flexibility for the of inner resources, strengths and personal individual. Some methods encourage values. The various techniques used people to feel ‘heavy’, but not everyone within Sophrology are adapted to create responds to this, especially dancers, a structured method that can be used whom we prefer to help by concentrating in everyday life whenever necessary. on feeling energetic and light. While a minimum of four or five “Generally speaking, it is easier sessions will be sufficient to master the to work on an individual basis with basic technique, for maximum benefit somebody if they come to you with a it is advised you attend at least 12 specific problem. Of course, not everyone sessions. To gain further experience wishes to do this, and many people in using Sophrology you will also be prefer to take part in a group session. asked to practise each day for a few In this situation a slightly different minutes. Courses are available either approach is taken; you work on more within a small group of six or seven general topics, focusing perhaps on stage people on a weekly basis, or one-to- fright or how to be grounded. There one with sessions being adapted for cannot be the same level of flexibility Florence Parot an individual’s specific needs. The first and one has to build in a little leeway. session lasts approximately one hour “While France is now absolutely anxiety while in private practice it is also with follow-up appointments taking 45 packed with Sophrologists, when I used to treat phobias and depression. to 50 minutes. As part of a group the cost came over here to open the Academy “Throughout much of Europe there will be around £8 to £12, for one-to-one in Kent it was very much a case of are now many dancers who will at classes each session will be £45 to £70. starting with a blank slate – I like least be aware of what the technique challenges! Having already lived in the is about and how it works. I certainly Contacts UK some years ago, I was still pleasantly had positive feedback from those The Sophrology Academy.