Sophrology: what you need to know

Developed in the 1960s by the Colombian neuropsychiatrist Alfonso Caycedo, sophrology is an increasingly popular meditation and mindfulness technique. While it offers an assortment of benefits associated with meditation and relaxation, it should be approached with caution.

What is it?
Sophrology combines mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, body awareness and visualization techniques. It’s inspired by a wide range of Asian and European traditions.

It became popular when three Swiss skiers trained in sophrology by Caycedo won gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics. Before long, people were using sophrology to prepare for everything from exams to work presentations. Some French schools even teach it to students as a way to cope with stress.

What’s special about it?
Sophrology is more goal-oriented than other meditation techniques and focuses on visualizing yourself performing a difficult task or getting through a stressful situation successfully.

It doesn’t involve any physical work. All that’s needed is a chair and the voice of a trained sophrologist.

How is it practiced?
This meditation technique relies on being guided through a series of exercises by an expert sophrologist. Sophrology has 12 levels, each of which must be attained with the help of a guide.

What’s the bottom line?
The benefits of relaxation, meditation and visualization are well-known, and sophrology can likely help you lower your overall level of stress. It may also help you prepare for situations that worry you.

However, caution should be exercised. Many practitioners refer to sophrology as a lifestyle, but it’s only accessible if you pay someone to guide you through its 12 levels. While the majority of sophrologists are no doubt well-intentioned, this opens the door to abusive practices.

If you think you may benefit from sophrology, remember that it’s not a substitute for proper medical care. It might be an effective complementary treatment, but it shouldn’t replace the advice of a healthcare professional.