Autogenic training

This method of psychotherapy combines both psychophysiological exercises and, once the physiological exercises are being satisfactorily performed, meditation.

The six standard exercises are based on the key phrases: my right arm is heavy; (leading to muscular relaxation); my right arm is warm (leading to dilation of the blood vessels); heart beat calm and regular (leading to cardiac regulation); it breathes me (leading to completely relaxed, natural breathing); my solar plexus is warm (leading to a calming effect on central nervous activity); my forehead is cool (leading to drowsiness and sedation). The meditation exercises focus on: spontaneous phenomena; experience of colours; imaginary objects; abstract ideas; emotions and feelings; interrogation of the unconscious.