Autogenic training is a relaxation technique developed by the German psychiatrist, Johannes Heinrich Schultz. It developed into the most popular form of therapy in the 1920s and 1930s.  Studying the self-reports of people immersed in a hypnotic state, J.H. Schultz noted that physiological changes are accompanied by certain feelings. J.H. Schultz noted the following physiological changes - first warmth, second heaviness, third slowing and steadiness of breathing, fourth slowing the heart rate, fifth the warming of the solar plexus, and finally the warming of the forehead.  

Autogenic training involves repetitions of a set of visualizations that induce a state of relaxation and is based on passive concentration of bodily perceptions (e.g., heaviness and warmth of arms, legs), which are facilitated by suggestions and self-suggestions. Georges Luthe published extensively about autogenic training and made it popular around the world.  

Please listen to the recording in Dr. Leon Rosenberg’s voice and repeat each phrase he says silently to yourself. This script Dr. Rosenberg uses is courtesy of Dr. Green from the Menninger Foundation.  

While autogenic training can help with stress management, it is not provided here as an alternative to treatment or as an alternative to being in one of our research studies.  Nevertheless, enjoy the listen.