The term sophrology means, literally, ‘The Study or Science of Harmonious Consciousness’. It’s a fusion of techniques drawn from modern western neuroscience and psychology with methods used by the ancient wisdom traditions of the east. Sophrology uses visualization, simple postures and physical movement, combined with attention to breathing and awareness, to deeply relax the body and mind, while also introducing a sense of vitality and stimulating the cognitive functions, such as memory, imagination and concentration. Inspired by Yoga, Buddhism, Zen, Neuroscience and Phenomenology, it offers a path of self-development as well as specific methods for improving the quality of life.
It offers great tools for mindfulness meditation teachers, coaches, psychotherapists and healing practitioners to enhance and develop their practice.
In this training we guide you through four levels of experience, which need to be taken in sequence – and you can take as long as you like with each level. Each level is self-contained so you don’t need to complete all four to benefit from what you have learned. Each course is interactive and mentored so you can share experiences and ask questions. Here’s an overview of the training:
LEVEL ONE
The aim of this first level is to foster a more integrated sense of self, so that you feel more at home in your skin and in your body, more harmonious in your thoughts and feelings, more contented, sleeping better, and able to concentrate more effectively. There is a strong emphasis on helping you become more aware of the present moment, rather than constantly thinking about the future or ruminating on the past, and you should find yourself feeling less stressed and anxious, more easily able to relax at will, and you will have created the foundation for a regular meditation practice.
While much of the work of the first level is designed to develop your awareness of your body, the aim of the second level is to integrate this new-found deeper awareness with an enhanced appreciation of your mind - with its capacities for perception, concentration, contemplation, memory and imagination. You work with the power of hope, and in particular with the ability to project your consciousness into the future, to help you achieve your goals.
In this third phase of the work, you develop your feeling-self, and learn how to incorporate positive experiences from the past into your present awareness and future actions. The movement meditation you learn helps you to integrate your awareness of the outside world into your consciousness, and by working with your sense of time - of the past, present and future - you deepen the process of integrating mind and body, and enhance your ability to work towards your goals.
In Level Four you grow from developing and integrating your own self, to feeling yourself as an integral and meaningful part of all life. To accomplish this, the exercises focus on exploring and then embodying values. These values start to act as guiding lights for your thoughts, feelings and actions - not just at an intellectual level, but within your own physical embodied experience too. Having worked on developing and harmonizing yourself with the first three levels, you are now more free and empowered to give of yourself to others and the world.
So there you have it - an overview of an amazing journey that awaits you, that helps you develop your potential and enhances your well-being. And along the way you will also be shown how to work with specific issues: how to reduce anxiety and stress, how to sleep better, and much more.
Follow the programme in sequence by starting with Level One and see how it makes you feel!
This training is offered in conjunction with
"I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the Level One training. I have found the whole process invaluable and extraordinarily practical. I feel I have developed a deeper sense of presence, energy and flow within such a short period of time. Quite an experience! The course is skilfully structured and great care has been taken in the presentation of the techniques and foundations of this profound work. Thank you!"
- Steve Lofkin, Guitarist, artist, and Qi Gong enthusiast, Chester, UK
"This course has been amazing and life changing for me. It has shifted something deep within, and given me tools to deal with stress at all levels and on a daily basis."
- Linda Fielder, Cairns Australia
"I have suffered from PTSD for many years since my time in the Military and Police. In 2019 I was diagnosed with MDS, a rare form of blood cancer, so was in a very dark place. But since doing the Sophrology course, I have found that my mind has calmed considerably, and I have become more relaxed, have more energy, and feel able to cope with life a lot better. I strongly recommend this course to everyone."
- David Flaherty MBE, Author, Druid, Northwich UK
“I have enjoyed this course so much because it has helped me create new habits, become more alert and able to notice so much more. I feel different now - with a greater sense of intuition. I’m more optimistic and have a greater sense of a deeper connection to an energy inside and outside of me. The care taken behind each lesson has been invaluable. It moves me in a deep way to see the work that has gone into each lesson - every detail has been carefully considered."
- Monica Troughton, Author and Wellbeing Practitioner, Stratford upon Avon, UK
"I have found this course very rewarding. I feel more embodied, more in tune with myself, have a clearer sense of direction, am better able to deal with stress, feel calmer, brighter and healthier. Thank you for this wonderful course, I’ve really enjoyed it.”
- Lindsey Clark, Bristol, UK
"This Sophrology course combines well with Yoga. It is a really good way to cultivate body awareness, wellbeing and relaxation alongside working with the various yoga asanas. As a yoga teacher, I feel that Sophrology has really helped with my understanding and compassion for my students, and at the same time has improved my own sensitivity to my body, creating a 'Sophroyoga' practice that feels very beneficial."
- Harriet Hart, Yoga Teacher, France
Your Instructor
Philip Carr-Gomm is a psychologist, psychotherapist and sophrologist, and the author of over a dozen books, including Empower Your Life with Sophrology. He trained with Dorna Revie at the Sophrology Center, and holds a practitioner diploma in sophrology. He is the founder of The Sophrology Institute and a non-executive director of the Institute of Psychosynthesis, and has given sophrology workshops for the Lush cosmetics company, the Flour Pot Bakery group, the Body Holiday St.Lucia, the British Psychological Society, and the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at George Washington University. His particular interests include working with sophrology as a way of deepening meditation and mindfulness practice, and working with ways to integrate sophrology into coaching and psychotherapeutic practice. See The Sophrology Institute.