SOPHROLOGY SCIENCE
Sophrology was first coined in the 1960s by Alfonso Caycedo, a Colombian professor who specialised in psychiatry and neurology. It uses gentle movement, breathing and visualisation to help us tune into our bodies, expand our consciousness and ground us in the present. It's been scientifically proven as a useful tool to manage stress and anxiety and boost resilience, and therefore is a practice worthy of introducing into our perimenopause phase of life.
SOPHROLOGY HACK
Next time you are feeling stressed or anxious, try this integration exercise called the clearing breath that works across the different parts of the body. You can do this seated or standing. It works by placing fingers either side of a point on your body, taking a breath in, holding your breath and tensing the muscles in that region, and then sharply exhaling out your mouth to empty your lungs.
Close your eyes. Hold the tips of the fingers of both hands on a point in between your eyebrows. Breathe in. Squeeze all your muscles in your head whilst holding your breath and when you are ready, exhale out any tension with a heavy longer breath out of your mouth. Next move your fingers to the front of your collarbone, below your neck and repeat the clearing breath. Now move your fingers to the point at the centre of the breastbone. Clear the breath & release tension out. Next move your fingers to an inch above your belly button. Repeat. Move your fingers on to an inch below your belly button. Practice your clearing breath. Finally put your fingers on your belly button to connect with your whole body. Now you are tuned into your body, notice how you are feeling right now. Heavier/lighter, warmer/colder, tense/relaxed. Know that you have the power to change your mood at any point in the day!
Today's tip was kindly brought to you by Laeticia Dehauteur, experienced sophologist for providing today's tip. Find out more about her services at www.laetitiadehauteur.com
Sign up to our 4-week online HALO course, starting April 20th. Register interest at hello@overthebloodymoon.com
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