Autogenic Training

1. Autogenic Training Simon Yu Rachel Rodriquez Folawole Winfunke William Madrigal

2. History of Autogenic Training • It was developed in 1932. • Autogenic Training was developed by a German psychiatrist by the name of Johannes Schultz. • The word Autogenic derives from the Greek word “auto” (self) and “genos” (family or origin).

3. Why it’s used • Autogenic Training is a technique that enables one to slow down the mind and body • which decreases one’s heart rate • Slows the respiratory system • Allows blood to flow more easily throughout the body. • If done correctly, it would help tap into the healing powers of the body.

4. What is Autogenic Training • It helps balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system which in turns helps lower blood pressure.

5. Reasons for Autogenic Training I want to… • Become more peaceful and calm. • Increase my attention span and performance skills. • Improve my skills of relaxing and resting in the present of other people.

6. Autogenic Training • If done correctly and consistently • helps relieve headaches • Cope with stress • Lower blood pressure • Cope with asthma

7. This practice takes about 15 minutes during any time of day. During each session, the practitioner would repeat a set of visualizations that would help one relax. Each session would recommend a certain posture, this would help to alleviate many stress-induced psychosomatic disorders.

8. Steps to Initiate Autogenic Training • The preferred position is lying on your back with arms at your sides, palms facing up • Heels resting evenly on surface

9. Steps to Initiate Autogenic Training • A seated position in a chair is recommended, arms either by your side or on lap • If your head becomes too heavy, let it hang comfortably.

10. Indirect approach • Very general instructions to follow body awareness • Little detail and visual imagery involved • Only suggesting to yourself that various body parts are warm and heavy • Involves around 6 phases

11. Direct Approach • Imagine the flow of blood to these body regions such as hands and feet. • After suggesting the words warm and heavy • Start off with Diaphragmatic Breathing • Helps the mind and body become more relaxed helping the invitation of additional thoughts. • Selected awareness is enhanced

12. Exercise

13. Mental Imagery • The left hemisphere controls the verbal skills, communicating to the body through words • The right hemisphere is good at communicating through symbolic images • Combining words and pictures have a more profound effect on the body’s physiology than do words alone.

14. Adding Mental Imagery “The soul never thinks without a picture” Aristotle

15. Measure of Effectiveness • Taking temperature before and after training • Mental assessment – Are you thinking more clearly, before and after • Physical assessment – Are you more relaxed, before and after • Emotional assessment – How do you feel, before and after

16. Tips and Suggestion • Never eat a full meal before Autogenic Training • Make sure you are sitting or laying down in a comfortable position • Have to believe in Autogenic Training in order for it to work

17. The End