Health is the state of perfect equilibrium between the body, mind and spirit. which is why they are considered as the trinity of life. Each of them coordinates with the other two to maintain homeostasis i.e. the body’s internal harmony. Our lifestyle has a great impact on these homeostatic mechanisms. An undue stress may often give rise to an imbalance, which over a period of time may lead to disease. However, this does not happen every time because, our body has the natural ability of self-healing.

It is a therapy that can help you to develop skills to utilize your own abilities for self-healing and personal growth. As the name suggests, Autogenic means that which is generated from within. It is a series of basic exercises that link the mind with the body. It enables the mind to relax itself by turning off the body's physical defence mechanisms, the ‘F’ mode i.e. the fight & flight reaction and open up the ‘R’ mode i.e. the rest and relaxation. This system of therapy was introduced in the 20th century by a German neuro-psychiatrist Dr Johannes Schultz. He was deeply influenced by the pioneering research of Professor Oscar Vogt (1870-1959), a psychiatrist and neuro-physiologist who had dedicated his life to psychosomatic medicine, or what he called the "Mind-Body problem". In his research, Vogt had noted that patients practicing simple verbal exercises to induce Hypnosis reported a state of well-being. Complaints such as Headache, fatigue and Anxiety tended to disappear. In addition, many patients reported feelings of heaviness and agreeable sensations of warmth. Schultz wanted to know the physiological implications of a person who is in deep relaxed state such as when under Hypnosis or in during sleep. He constructed a set of simple auto-suggestions (mental exercises) incorporating these observations. These exercises were then called as Autogenic training. Such innocent beginnings were in fact the discovery of an extremely powerful method of self-help. Schultz started using these the exercises widely among his acquaintances, colleagues and family, not to mention his patients, his results showed the extraordinary power of mind and body influencing self-healing processes. Further, his colleague Dr Wolfgang Luthe later propounded, that the human body is naturally ‘programmed’ to heal itself and stated that the mind and the body are in the state of flux finely tuning itself to correct imbalance here and there. The therapy then slowly came to be known as Autogenic therapy. In the 1950's Luthe migrated to Canada, where he continued to develop Autogenic Therapy in Montreal. Schultz and Luthe collaborated in writing and collated research into all aspects of Autogenic Therapy. In 1969, a year before Schultz's death, they published five further volumes on Autogenic Therapy which constitute the seminal work on the subject. Since then, many editions of these volumes have been published in nine languages.

Autogenic Therapy is now practiced in many countries around the world, especially in Europe and Japan. Centers such as the Schultz Institute in Berlin and the Oscar Vogt institute at Kyushu University, Japan, are pre-eminent in the field of AT research, development and training.

In Autogenic therapy, achievement of a detached but alert state of mind called "passive concentration" is thought to bring about physical changes. Supporters of this technique assert that Autogenic therapy enhances healing and the recuperative powers of the body. Autogenic therapy has been said to rebalance mental faculties and bring closer harmony between the hemispheres of the Brain. Autogenic therapy is based on principles of autosuggestion and consists of six basic focusing techniques. These are:

Heaviness in the limbs Warmth in the limbs Cardiac regulation Centering on breathing Warmth in the upper Abdomen Coolness in the forehead

In this way, Autogenic therapy is similar to Meditation or self-Hypnosis. The possible mechanism of action of Autogenic therapy is not fully understood. It has been suggested that it works in ways similar to Hypnosis or Biofeedback.

Method of Application

A person using Autogenic therapy assumes a comfortable position, concentrates on a goal and uses visual imagination and verbal cues to relax the body. Autogenic therapy may involve imagining a peaceful place followed by focusing on different physical sensations, moving from the feet to the head. Specific postures are adopted and silent formulae are repeated with an attitude of mind called passive concentration. This change in concentration allows a greater awareness of the self and enables the body’s rebalancing and healing processes. The therapy starts after an initial personal assessment. This is followed by learning the techniques either one-to-one with a therapist or in a small group over 8-10 weekly sessions. Each session lasts about 90 minutes. The therapist then advices to practice these exercises daily for 10 minutes three times daily and keep a brief daily record of experiences to discuss with the therapist. Loose comfortable clothing is recommended to carry out the exercises, which are done sitting, reclining in an armchair and lying down. Each exercise focuses on different parts of the body and sensations associated with relaxation, for example, warmth and heaviness in the limbs, warmth in the solar plexus, a calm regular heartbeat. You are asked to repeat set phrases to help achieve this, such as 'my right arm is heavy'. The exercises are carried out in a state of 'passive concentration' similar to Meditation, in which you become an alert but detached observer. This is said to boost your self-healing processes and balance left and right Brain activity. You also learn simple techniques to deal with any repressed emotions or disturbing memories that can surface during this state. At the end of the basic course you are expected to be able to enter a state of relaxation at will in any situation, and are taught ways to help individual problems like Migraine or over-eating. There are also advanced techniques for those interested in psychotherapy or spiritual potential.

Autogenic therapy is considered to be safe in most of the cases, although the safety of the treatment has not been studied systematically. It has positive effects in most of the chronic diseases and especially the psychosomatic and the stress induced diseases. However, fluctuations in the Blood pressure have been observed in some people during Autogenic therapy exercises. Hence the therapy is not recommended for people having abnormal Blood pressure or a Heart condition, or if you are taking Blood pressure drugs. These people should consult their family physician before undergoing this therapy. A physical examination is a must before beginning a session of Autogenic therapy and a thorough discussion about the possible physiological effects on the health with the health care provider is necessary. In cases of potentially severe health condition such as diabetes, Heart disease or high or low Blood pressure, the therapy should be conducted only under the supervision of a qualified health care provider. Autogenic therapy is not a replacement to drugs, diet or lifestyle changes. It is not recommended for children younger than 5 or for people with severe mental or emotional disorders.

The therapy has been successful in conditions like Insomnia and free-floating Anxiety. Positive changes are seen in these conditions in few weeks. It also reduces the dependence on tranquillizers and hypnotic drugs. Following are the diseases in which Autogenic therapy has been useful.

Hypertension Depression. Migraine. Ulcerative Colitis. Diabetes. Thyroid disease Pre Menstrual Syndrome Menopausal syndrome Asthma Peptic ulcers. Arthritis Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Autogenic therapy is also useful in reducing cancer pains. And in HIV/AIDS suffering from Bone pains, night sweats, Weight Loss and diarrhoea.