How Guided-Imagery Works
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Guided-Imagery is using your imagination to help your mind and body heal through
guided visualizations. These are all of our perceptions that come from all of our senses. For instance, many think
that most humans are visual creatures. This is not true. Many sense better with sounds, smells, tastes, or feel
(touch).
Guided Imagery is used for many purposes. Relaxation techniques and mental
visualization are some of what is used to increase the healing and wellness in our bodys. By giving each of us a
image or images that we can relate to, we are able to change our beliefs and behaviors to relax, heal, mend,
concentrate, regain esteem,
Use it to relax and promote wellness.
The relaxation techniques can be as simple as counting your breath to
something more elaborate like progressive relaxation, which involves focusing on each muscle group and tensing and
then relaxing them.
Once relaxation is achieved, the second part involves creating the
imagery itself.
It has been used since ancient times. It can also be found in all of
the world's cultures.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians including Aristotle and Hypocrites
believed in using it to heal.
It has been well documented and extensively studied.
Using positive visualization can affect heart rate, blood pressure,
respiration, even brain waves.
Removing any blocks to energy flow, such as in the chakra system, can promote
wellness.
Using imagery for mental rehearsal can actually reduce anxiety about an upcoming event or
imagining the ideal outcome.
The combination of relaxation and mental visualization is a powerful
tool.
Because of the extreme relaxation that is involved when using
imagery, never use it while driving or operating equipment.
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