Encyclopedia of mind-body approaches: sophrology, hypnotherapy, yoga, meditation and breathing techniques. Methods integrating body and mind for overall well-being.
Progressive sophro-acceptance allows positive projection into an anxiety-inducing future event. By mentally experiencing the event in a relaxed state, the practitioner programs a serene and confident response.
Vipassana ("insight") is one of the oldest Buddhist meditation techniques. It involves observing bodily sensations with equanimity to understand the impermanent nature of all experience.
NLP, created by Bandler and Grinder, models strategies of human excellence to make them accessible to all. It offers concrete tools for rapid change by working on mental representations and language.
Ericksonian hypnosis, developed by Milton H. Erickson, is a permissive and indirect approach to therapeutic hypnosis. It uses metaphors, indirect suggestions and the patient's unconscious resources to facilitate change.
Cardiac coherence biofeedback uses a heart rate variability (HRV) sensor connected to software to visualize cardiac coherence state in real-time. This visual feedback enables accelerated autonomic nervous system regulation learning and personalized breathing practice optimization.
Cardiac coherence 365 is a rhythmic breathing technique (6 breaths/min, 5 minutes, 3 times/day) that synchronizes heart rhythm and the autonomic nervous system. Scientifically validated for stress, anxiety, and hypertension.
Conversational hypnosis is a form of indirect hypnosis practiced within natural conversation, without formal induction. Developed from Milton Erickson's work, it uses hypnotic language, metaphors and embedded suggestions within seemingly ordinary exchange.
Tonglen is a Tibetan Buddhist compassion meditation where one visualizes breathing in others' suffering and breathing out well-being and healing. Taught by Pema Chödrön and other Tibetan masters, it transforms self-centeredness into active empathy.
Trataka is a yogic meditation technique of gazing at a candle flame without blinking, then visualizing the afterimage with eyes closed. This purification practice improves concentration, memory and vision, and serves as a powerful gateway to deep meditation.
Zazen is the seated meditation of Zen Buddhism. In lotus posture, facing the wall, the practitioner sits "without goal or gain" — simply being present, letting thoughts pass like clouds in the sky.
Jon Kabat-Zinn's MBSR program is a structured 8-week protocol combining mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, and body scan. Scientifically validated, it is the world's most studied meditation program.
Kapalabhati is an energizing yogic breathing technique of rapid, powerful abdominal exhalations. It purifies the airways, stimulates metabolism, and clarifies the mind.
Nadi Shodhana is alternate nostril breathing, a fundamental pranayama technique for balancing energies and calming the nervous system. It harmonizes brain hemispheres and reduces anxiety.
The Third Degree Dynamic Relaxation, inspired by Japanese Zen, develops reflective meditation. It allows exploration of body-mind unity and integration of deep existential values.
Projective sophro-stimulation uses creative imagination to stimulate adaptive capabilities. The practitioner projects into different future scenarios to develop mental flexibility and creativity when facing challenges.
Hypno-analgesia uses hypnosis to reduce or eliminate pain perception during medical or surgical procedures. Scientifically validated, it is practiced in many hospitals as an alternative or complement to anesthesia.
Perinatal hypnosis supports pregnant women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. It helps reduce anxiety, manage pain naturally, and experience a more serene birth.
Gong bath is a therapeutic sound immersion using large planetary gongs whose powerful vibrations and complex harmonics induce deep relaxation, promote emotional release, and stimulate cellular regeneration processes.
Ujjayi is the sonorous yoga breath produced by slight glottis contraction. Its characteristic ocean-like sound calms the mind, regulates the nervous system, and accompanies asana practice.
The First Degree Dynamic Relaxation, inspired by yoga, is the first step of the Caycedo method. It aims at discovering and mastering the body schema through concentration on physical sensations.
Self-hypnosis is the autonomous practice of hypnosis, allowing self-induction of an altered state of consciousness. A powerful empowerment tool, it extends and reinforces the effects of hypnotherapy sessions.
Bhramari Pranayama is a yogic breathing technique where exhalation is accompanied by a humming sound like a bee. This internal vibration instantly calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety and promotes deep concentration.
Body Scan is a guided meditation of progressively directing attention to each body part. A fundamental MBSR technique, it develops body awareness and induces deep relaxation.
EFT combines acupressure point stimulation with emotion verbalization to release emotional blockages. Developed by Gary Craig, this "tapping" technique is used for anxiety, phobias, and trauma.
Hypnosis for addictions uses suggestion and unconscious reprogramming techniques to modify addictive behaviors (tobacco, alcohol, food, gambling). It acts on emotional anchors, automatisms and brain reward mechanisms.
Classical directive hypnosis is the historical form of therapeutic hypnosis, using direct and authoritative suggestions to induce trance and modify behaviors. It relies on the subject's suggestibility.
Humanistic hypnosis, created by Olivier Lockert, reverses the classical hypnosis mechanism: instead of dissociating consciousness, it unifies it by increasing the patient's state of awareness. The therapist guides in total transparency.
MBCT combines mindfulness meditation and cognitive therapy to prevent depressive relapses. An 8-week scientifically validated program recommended by health authorities for recurrent depression.
Transcendental Meditation, taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, uses a personally assigned mantra repeated silently to transcend thought and reach pure consciousness. Practiced 20 minutes twice daily.
Tibetan singing bowl meditation uses the sound vibrations of singing bowls to induce deep relaxation and meditative states. Harmonic frequencies act on the nervous system and promote body-mind harmonization.
Metta meditation (Metta Bhavana) systematically cultivates loving-kindness toward oneself and then others. An ancestral Buddhist practice, it develops compassion, empathy, and positive connections.
The Fourth Degree Dynamic Relaxation closes the fundamental cycle of Caycedian sophrology. It aims at the totalization of being through the exploration of universal values and the awareness of existence in its fullness.
The Second Degree Dynamic Relaxation, inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, explores the contemplative dimension of consciousness. It develops the ability to mentally represent the body and work on self-image.
Serial sophro-correction is a sophrological technique aimed at progressively desensitizing a phobia or fear by reliving anxiety-inducing situations in stages, within a state of deep relaxation.
Sensory sophro-substitution allows replacing an unpleasant sensation (pain, discomfort) with a pleasant one, using the brain's ability to modify sensory perception in an altered state of consciousness.