British Autogenic Society

At 10 weeks' pregnant and fedup with all-day nausea (probably partly stress-induced by moving house), I wanted to find a quick, user-friendly technique to make me feel better. I heard about the meditative relaxation technique, autogenic training (AT).

'Autogenic training consists of six standard body awareness, relaxation exercises that make you feel warm, heavy and relaxed,' explains Sonia Saunders, chairwoman of the British Autogenic Society. You sit or lie down, before focusing on specific parts of the body. Through relaxation, the mind enables the body to balance the mechanisms that control circulation, heart rate and breathing, thus boosting the immune system. Exercises are designed to switch off the body's stress-induced 'fight or flight' response.

Dr Malcolm Carruthers, who pioneered the use of AT in the UK, says it can be powerful. 'It bridges alternative and conventional medicine ... it's not superficial.' Intrigued, I visited Harley Street physician Dr Brian Kaplan. He told me not to expect my symptoms to vanish after just one session. Around eight visits are needed to learn the fairly simple exercises, after which you can practise them on your own. Initially, you should practice three times a day, in five to six minute bursts, building up to 20 minutes a day by the end of the course.

After a full medical and psychological assessment, I sat in an armchair and Kaplan asked me to close my eyes while I did a warm-up exercise, which involved concentrating on relaxing various parts of my body in turn. He then made me do a 'heaviness' exercise - he told me my right arm was heavy, repeating this three times. Next he focused on my left arm, and finally both arms together. He also asked me to repeat the exercise in my head. Once I'd finished, I stretched my arms upwards, took a deep breath and opened my eyes, to cancel the exercise. I was aware of feeling more relaxed and a bit less nauseous, although the first session is just early days.

History
AT was invented by psychiatrist Dr Johannes Schultz in the 1920s in Berlin and further developed in Canada by his colleague Dr Wolfgang Luthe. It's taught in many countries and was introduced to Britain in the 1970s.

Evidence
A study by Malcolm Carruthers, published in The British Journal of Holistic Medicine in 1985, has shown that regular use of AT has a significant effect in reducing the resting pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cholesterol levels. The British Autogenic Society claims thousands of studies have shown AT can be an effective antidote to stress-related disorders.

Who should use it?
At is helpful for sleep disorders, panic attacks, high blood pressure, asthma, phobias, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, muscular pain and tension, migraines, fatigues, sexual dysfunction, bladder disorders and unresolved grief. It is also said to help improve work efficiency, creative output and sports performance and is gaining popularity among business people.

Contraindications
Patients suffering from severe depression or epilepsy should seek medical advice first.

Costs
Costs vary, but you can expect to pay around £30-£40 per session. AT is also available on the NHS at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, by GP referral.

Resources
See www.autogenic-therapy.org.uk
Call Dr Brian Kaplan, on 020 7487 3416
For the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital visit www.rihh.org.uk

'It worked for me'
Ali Gunn is a make-up artist from Nottinghamshire. 'I developed ulcerative colitis when I was 16 and had to have my entire large bowel removed. Two years ago, I also developed an extremely painful abscess near an scar and had to wait for surgery. Nothing seemed to relieve the pain and I felt really stressed, especially as I had to give up work. Then a friend's mum, who is an AT trainer, said that I should try it. I felt much calmer after just a few sessions, and the pain improved dramatically. I usually spend about 15 minutes a day doing the exercise and feel much more in tune with my body. Finally, the abscess was removed and I've been well for 18 months now.'

Copyright - Health & Fitness Magazine/Evelyn Dale

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