The History of sophrology

The word sophrology was created by its founder in 1960, Professor Alfonso Caycedo, neuro-psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry.
From Greek etymology, SOS (harmony) - PHREN (consciousness) - LOGOS (study), sophrology is literally the study of the harmony of consciousness.

The history of sophrology, its emergence and its foundation in the 1960s are closely linked with:
- the development of therapeutichypnosis to relaxation techniques developed at the time (Schultz in particular),
- the phenomenological field of study in philosophy and psychiatric phenomenology,
- Oriental spiritual techniques: yoga, meditation, Buddhist and Zen philosophy.

Modern sophrology practices make use of many exercises from these spiritual techniques, with an integration of body-mind links now scientifically proven by studies in neuroscience, scientific studies on meditative practices, neurofeedback, emotions and scientific proofs from Positive Psychology.

First developed for a therapeutic and medicalpurpose, sophrology has continuously developed and adapted to become a flexible method used in many fields today:

- stress management, developing better performance : in a professional context, in business, but also in periods of change and to strengthen balance and well-being throughout life.

– Accompaniment throughout a period of disease and pain management, sometimes in addition to therapy.

-pedagogy and learning (attention and concentration, self-confidence, etc.)

- personal development, coaching : the work of conscience on the links body-spirit then comes to support the processes of change of life, of transition and to nourish the development of the person and the knowledge of oneself.