Sophrology for MS with Audrey Zannese

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Audrey Zannese as our guest! Audrey is a mindfulness expert living with MS who specializes in Sophorology.
The guided sophrology practice begins at 22:25
Topics and Timestamps
01:19 Audrey’s introduction and MS journey
05:25 What is Sophrology?
08:19 Sophrology originated in Spain
14:00 Audrey’s switch from research scientist to sophrologist
18:43 Research into the effects of sophrology
22:25 Sophrology guided practice
39:16 Audrey is the education director of the Sophrology Academy in the UK
Selected Key Takeaways
Sophrology is a stress-reduction technique
06:14 “Sophrology is a uniquely structured mind-body practice that combines both Western relaxation methods and Eastern meditative practices. And it can be used for personal development, enhancing performance, but also improving health and well-being. It includes a variety of exercises that are accessible and easy to incorporate in your daily life. And there is gentle body movements are breathing exercises, aspects of mindfulness and meditation.”
The aims and benefits of a sophrology practice
11:22 “The aim with sophrology is to help you reconnect with yourself. Self-awareness of how you're feeling inside helps you build the capacity to regulate your internal state, but also build the capacity as you would find in mindfulness and meditation of acceptance and letting go when things cannot be changed. Through this work, because it is repetitive, is very much a practice, you get to this place where you are feeling balanced in terms of your mind, body, emotions, and you are in a place where you are feeling more capable.”
Sophrology is a big part of how Audrey lives well with MS
15:04 “I remember one day I came out of my flat, and I was so happy to be alive. I didn't feel MS anymore. I wasn't scared, I knew I had everything in me to live my best life, in a way I had never been before when I was healthy, you know, it's when I look back, when I look with compassion, but to realize that, through this journey, I realized what it was to really be happy.”
More info and links:
Step Into Sophrology website: www.stepintoso...
The Sophrology Academy website: www.sophroacad...
Essential Guide to Tap Into The Power of the Mind-Body Connection - FREE www.stepintoso...
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [e-mail].
Audrey’s bio:
Audrey Zannese is an anxiety and pain management expert and founder of Step Into Sophrology, which helps people living with chronic illness, anxiety, pain and fatigue to take back control of their body and health so that they can live their lives the way they want.
She does this by teaching them a uniquely structured mind-body practice called sophrology which was recommended to her by a French neurologist when she started her treatment for multiple sclerosis. Combining Western relaxation with Eastern meditative techniques, it consists of gentle body movements, breathing exercises and positive visualisations. Exercises are particularly accessible and easy to incorporate in busy daily life.
Audrey is also the Education Director at the Sophrology Academy, which is the UK’s school for training sophrology practitioners. Audrey is passionate about raising awareness of sophrology so that one day it’s recommended alongside medication by healthcare professionals including neurologists.
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Overcoming MS is a positive lifestyle program that aims to help people live long, healthy lives without the usual problems associated with multiple sclerosis.
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