Autogenic Training
(the child of Hypnotherapy)

By Christa Hall-Sanford Ph.D.

Autogenic training (AT) first was originally devised in the 1920s and 1930s by Johannes H. Schultz, a German psychiatrist and hypnotherapist. His work has since been developed by other leading health care proponents across the world. The technique is a combination of breath control, hypnotherapy and mental affirmation, and creative visualization. He trained patients to go into an self induced hypnotic state of mental exercises designed to turn off the stressful “flight-fight” mechanism – the part of our nervous system that is most often associated with stress response. This system is divided into a sympathetic and a parasympathetic branch, both of which co-operate with one another so as to create and to maintain an essential homeostasis, or natural order, for all the nerves.

In times of stress, the hypothalamus gland in the brain – the stress response control centre- sends out hormones which activate the nervous system and the entire body – quickening the heart rate, raising blood pressure, increasing production of blood sugar and activating the muscle system. Once the perceived stress has been activated too often on a prolonged basis, the nerves of the body become tense and the essential harmony has been broken, thereby exhausting and depleting the vital systems and organs of the body.

Relaxation techniques, such as relaxed breathing, mediation, progressive relaxation and autogenics
(AT- profound relaxation) can be taught and trained–to calm down and to turn on the restorative rhythms.

Autogenic Training helps us to get in touch with our true emotions and feelings and to discharge them safely and satisfactory. Once you recognize the power that exists in the subconscious mind, your consciousness is directed towards attaining the required results.

AT – probably one of the most powerful techniques for dealing with stress and consists of a series of simple mental exercises. It is a method which, when practiced daily, brings results on a mental level - comparable with those achieved by Eastern meditation; and on the physical level it produces the chemical and physiological changes associated with rigorous athletic training. Unlike most other relaxation techniques, it can be practiced anywhere, anytime – while traveling by train or plane, for example, in the doctors waiting room, or even on the office or your working place. AT is particularly appealing to the Western mind, because unlike many forms of meditation and yoga it has no cultural, religious or cosmological overtones, and requires no special clothing or unusual postures or practices. Autogenic Training is derived from the Greek word (auto=self and genus, which means ‘originated’ = genes = training of the genes) the name implies the physical and mental relaxation. The feeling of peace and tranquility are generated from within one self’s potential. The self-control and self determination and are not dependent on any external values, philosophies or therapists.

Many of the controlled medical trials on autogenics have established that it can be of great benefit to many of the commonly acknowledged stress-related diseases, such as phobias, anxiety, high blood-pressure, migraines, insomnia, muscle tension, hyperventilation and pain. AT has been also found to be very helpful in developing creativity, and improving concentration and co-ordination, and for improving the body’s capacity to cope with jet-lag and other forms of physical and mental exhaustion and fatigue.

Because it is such a powerful technique, you can learn AT from a qualified trainer. Children with problems like Enuresis, Dyslexia, poor self concept and fear of failing are easily and gently guided into this state with great success to reach their goal and feel great with a new adjusted attitude.

Dr. Christa Hall-Sanford will speak on this subject at the 16th Annual IMDHA Conference October 24-29, 2002 in Troy, MI.

For further information about hypnotherapy, autogenic training and “whole brain integration” Hemi-SyncÒ, contact Dr. Christa Hall-Sanford or Malcolm Hendry-Holland at (021) 712-7100

or e-mail: sanford@iafrica.com or visit the home page: http://www.hypnotherapy.co.za or http://www.mastermind.sanford.net