Sophrology or yoga: two disciplines that are similar

Sophrology or yoga: who draws inspiration from the other? 

Telling the difference between these two disciplines is not easy! Indeed, both suggest becoming one with body and mind. What if we went back in time to discover which of these practices was imbued with the philosophy of the other. Do you opt for sophrology or yoga? 

Yoga through sophrology

Yoga has been around for over 5000 years and find his origin in India. It is based on 8 key fundamentals: 

• Yama : union with the outside world and others
• Niyama : concordance with oneself
• Pranayama : to regain vital energy as well as breath
• Asana : physical exercises of yoga postures
• Dhyana : meditation
• Dharana : concentration
• Pratyahara : to ignore one's senses
• Samadhi : the perfect balance of body and mind, it represents the final objective of the practice

To find out more about yoga, you can consult our article How to start yoga? 

In the 1960s, Alfonso Caycedo was inspired by his wife's sport, yoga. He wanted to create a therapeutic discipline. He was therefore interested in breathing exercises what did yoga offer for harmonize body and mind. To expand on sophrology, he also learned about the different Hatha yoga techniques to add dynamic relaxation exercises. He therefore based himself on yoga to create 3 bases which support his teaching: 

• Breathing exercises to relax

• Visualization exercises to better overcome everyday obstacles 

• Muscular techniques to release tension from the body. 

In this sense, sophrology and yoga have the effect ofsoothe physical and mental ailments. 

Common points that bring them together

Yoga and sophrology work hand in hand. By taking the basics of yoga, Caycedo created similarities between practices. We can cite the breathing, there relaxation et balance of body and mind which we will detail later. 

Union of body and mind

The notion of reconnecting body and mind comes from yoga. Indeed, etymologically, yoga in Sanskrit means “to connect”. From the start, there was a real desire to reconcile the mental and physical aspects in order to become one. Moreover, it is also the anchor point of sophrology.  

They assume that the bodily envelope and the psyche are intrinsically linked. Logic would dictate that we lost this link over time. To illustrate this point, during a stressful situation, your body will tend to tense up. Your body reacts to your thoughts, this proves the mind-body connection. 

Yoga and sophrology offer help so that you can regain a connection between your body and your mind by regaining control. However, their methods remain different. Yoga will teach you this through body toning exercises to eliminate tension. Also, yoga uses your mind for concentration so that you live in the present moment. As for sophrology, it essentially focuses on your morality with the aim ofimprove self-knowledge. It is also useful to help you control your emotions when faced with embarrassing, painful or stressful situations. To achieve these results, the breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques are required to transform your negative emotions into positive ones. Long-term sophrology makes it possible to achieve lasting behavioral changes. 

It is important to note that these disciplines allow you to become aware of yourself and your perceptions in order to reach the state of full consciousness. 

It is essential to breathe

These practices are there to teach you how to get the most out of potential of your breathing. Once you have gained control of your breathing, you will feel that it is a real well-being asset.

Why is breathing so important? When you inhale, your amygdala and hippocampus respond in proportion to the amount of air inhaled. This is why breathing correctly is important for your body. We understand that breathing directly affects your emotions and cognitive abilities. By using it consciously you will be able to lighten your body and mind. In addition, in moments of doubt, your breath will be your best ally to come back to yourself.  

Breathing helps you relax deeply. This relaxation is also linked to the concentration that you bring to your breathing which chases away your parasitic thoughts to welcome the positive. This is a method that you can find at the qigong.

Common benefits

Yoga and sophrology offer similar benefits : 

• Better self-confidence

• Obtaining a state of well-being 

• More developed self-knowledge 

• Improved mastery of managing your emotions and stress

• Personal development

• Reduction in sleep disorders

• Learn to live in the present moment 
• Acquire a state of mindfulness

Differences that push them apart

Even if these practices are cousins, they still have differences. They do not have the same vocations. 

Yoga as a sporting practice

Yoga is a physical activity but also a philosophy of life. It has a double aim: calm your mind and consciously represent your body. To achieve this, yoga will exercise your body. This results in muscle exercises and postures such as core training, stretching, breathing, etc. This method allows you to relax and of gently relax your muscles. Also, you perform muscular movements that help to reduce your pain as well as refine your figure. 

There meditation is one of the benefits of yoga, although it is also used in sophrology. However, the aim and the practice are not the same. In yoga, she invites you to collect emotionally, physically et morally in a goal of mindfulness and presence. The aim being to focus on the present moment in order to no longer let yourself be invaded by questions, ruminations, past actions. 

Sophrology, a therapeutic vocation

Sophrology, beyond being a therapeutic alternative, is also a personal development method. This area is dissociated from yoga, particularly on the physical aspect. In fact, it does not require intense physical efforts compared to yoga. Sophrology is mainly interested in the psychological aspect even if the goal is to reconcile body and mind. There is also another aim which is the development of autonomy. 

Sophrology consists of several exercises, namely breathing, movement, dynamic relaxation and visualization exercises. Unlike yoga, sophrology does not focus on the present but on the future. It’s real work on yourself that requires you to draw on your personal resources.. This practice makes you work on your blockages and the challenges of life that you have to overcome. This will allow you to put words to your experience, perhaps even to reconsider the way you operate and to question yourself. Please note that the sessions take place in a state of vigilance on the verge of sleep, called sophro-liminal. So, your imagination and brain plasticity are more developed, which increases your inner and outer perceptions. Sophrology aims to change harmful thoughts and behaviors to get off to a good start enabling change to be anchored in the long term. 

Regular practice will multiply the effects. You will learn to know yourself better, to trust yourself and a greater feeling of well-being. Within 6 to 12 sessions, you will be completely autonomous and able to carry out your projects thanks to the resources you will have acquired during the sessions. 

The support you need

Are you wondering about the type of support that is right for you? This is completely normal ! Let us answer your questions. Please note, the practice of one does not exclude the other, they can be complementary.

To tone your body

One of the biggest differences with sophrology is that yoga constitutes a sporting activity while finding a balance with relaxation. It may be right for you if you are looking to: 

• Strengthen your body

• Develop your flexibility

• Reduce stress

• Let go

• Opening up to spirituality

• Find a balance

In short, it's the discipline you need if you want to shape your body and mix yoga and relaxation.

To calm your mind

Sophrology is suitable for people with the search for well-being. Indeed, sophrology is centered on psychology. As a result, it can meet your expectations if you are looking for benefits specific to yoga : 

• Managing your emotions

• Tame your anxieties and anxiety

• Regain self-confidence
• Acquire autonomy
• Relax

To conclude

There was a lot of information during this article. It is time to return to the differences and similarities of yoga and sophrology through the choice of support. 

We have noted that there are points on which the two disciplines come together: 

• Harmonization of body and mind : this goes through one of the fundamentals which is that the body and the mind have always been linked. But with different methods. Yoga will convey this message through body exercises, as for sophrology, through relaxation, visualization and breathing exercises. 
• Breathing at the heart of practices : breathing exercises to reach a state of serenity 
• The same benefits : increased self-confidence; a feeling of fullness; control of negative emotions; better self-knowledge; personal development work; live in the present moment

While there are similarities, there are differences. The big first, unsurprisingly, yoga is a practice for unite body and mind but it is also a sport ! This is felt through the postures such as stretching, core and breathing. Yoga also helps refine the silhouette. Finally, we find meditation, also present in sophrology, aiming to put your attention at the heart of present time. 

Concerning sophrology, it can be a complement to psychology sessions or medical treatment. It is a method of personal development which does not require as much effort as yoga. It is a discipline that places psychology at the forefront in combining body and mind. Throughbreathing exercises, dynamic relaxation and visualization, YOU work on the questioned and the blockages that you meet under a state of alertness close to sleep. Also, the meditation is part of sophrology oriented towards future. Thus, sophrology helps you to to change your toxic behaviors and thoughts. 

What to choose ? 

What to choose between alternatives or yoga? Yoga is suitable if you want a moving activity accompanied by relaxation. This will help you: 

• Strengthen your body

• Increase your flexibility

• Reduce stress

• Let go

• Going to meet spirituality

• Find a balance

As for sophrology, it is recommended for people wishing to achieve a feeling of well-being focused on psychology. It will help you: 

• Channel your emotions

• Control your anxieties and anxiety

• Increases self-confidence

• Acquire autonomy
• Relax

Try yoga at POSES Studio

You can't decide between sophrology or yoga? No problem, POSES has the solution for you! 

Come and try the experience yoga flow while relaxing during a 50 minute workout session with some catchy playlists against a background of subdued light. 

Don't worry, here 0 judgment and accessible to all. You will be well surrounded by our involved and caring coaches to learn the movements et postures of yoga at your own pace. 

Let yourself be carried away by our different flows and let your curiosity speak.