It’s a stressed out world out there but a relaxation class may help you cope
STRESS can make your hair fall out, your skin break out in spots, your nights impossible to pass asleep. It’s a ‘disease’ that everyone suffers from although there is a way to beat it without buying truck loads of cosmetics. There’s no needles involved either; just a plain, old-fashioned relaxation class that guarantees results even after the first visit.
Relaxation classes take place all over the world and millions of people, including celebrities, swear by them. Cyprus is blessed with the presence of Traude Chrysanthou, a certified relaxation therapist for Autogenic Training and Progressive Relaxation. “Much of the stress that we encounter today is not from an immediate and identifiable source,” explained Traude. That bit got me worried. “It is a persistent, low-lying stress, resorting to the immune system’s defence, making it impossible for the body to relax completely.” Feeling worried too?
The truth is, we all know that we suffer from stress because whether you are a businessman, a mother, a student or even just in a relationship, there is no way your life is completely balanced or calm. Traude explained that she works with five methods, from which you may chose, however, you must always have in mind that the body and mind are ‘circuits’ that must be treated simultaneously. “The one is always influencing the other,” Traude said, “and relaxation therapy takes that into account.” Yoga is a technique used to bring peace to the mind and calm the body. A technique that Traude also uses is a Chinese method called Qi Gong, which has the same benefits as yoga.
Teaching relaxation in a peaceful environment, Traude explained that the methods taught are life-long skills, which can be used at anytime and as a part of a health promoting lifestyle. I met Traude at Liza Tsaggaridou’s School of Ballet in Nicosia, where she teaches her classes. One by one ladies arrived for the relaxation class. As I stood watching them lie down I started feeling relaxed myself or was that just tired? While it is difficult to relax with a journalist standing over your shoulder and asking you questions, Traude begun her class. She uses chill-out music and also talks to the women in order to get them into the state of relaxation. A relaxation class has a lot to do with breathing, sitting in comfortable positions and listening. I realised that if a person does not want to wind down and relax, there really isn’t much hope. But the truth is it’s hard to think of anything annoying or stressful, with the sound of calming music is playing in the background. As I was not in my relaxation gear that day, unfortunately I didn’t actually try it, even though I could feel the effect.
One of the methods Traude uses is called Progressive Muscle Relaxation; the tension in the body slowly decreases, allowing the mind to relax as well as the muscles. “It is also very good to help people learn the difference between relaxation and tension, since for many of us, being tense has become normal and we have forgotten what relaxation feels like,” said Traude. Unfortunately, she is right. Very few of us feel calm and relaxed. “You are feeling very relaxed,” she said to the women in a calm voice, “release any tension you have in your body.” I was holding my notebook and I actually felt my hands letting go. I was feeling relaxed and I wasn’t even lying down.
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HOW TO RELAX
Take a hot bubble bath by candlelight and listen to chill-out music.
Create a detailed peaceful retreat in your imagination and, at different times during the day, go there to calm your feelings.
Enjoy a cup of tea with cookies.
Stretch your body.
Meditate.
Breathe easily.
Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Take a walk.
Sketch or paint something.
Just change environment very often.
