Guided imagery is the conscious use of the imagination to create positive images, or healing visualizations, in order to bring about healthful changes in both the body and the mind. Creating mental images is nothing new for most people. Athletes keep a vision of winning firmly in their minds. And others may plan a wedding based on the exact details they see when they picture the perfect ceremony. Guided imagery takes this natural process a step further. By using special audiotapes or CD’s, you can learn to communicate more effectively with your unconscious mind, requesting that your body function in an optimal and healthy way.

Guided imagery is one of the more popular techniques of mind-body medicine now being integrated into progressive medical facilities around the country. It is offered in some hospitals to help patients prepare for surgery. The benefits have been: creating a calm, relaxed state, which in turn, has measurable effects on the experience of pain, as well as favorable affects on post-surgical wound healing rates. According to one study done by Blue Cross of California, the savings derived from a $17.00 guided imagery CD amounted to $2,000 per patient.

There has been considerable research done on using imagery with cancer patients. Not only can it help you reach a calm state more quickly and consistently, it often helps with some of the side effects of chemotherapy. In fact, the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, now makes these recording available on CD for free upon request. They are designed to be used during and/or after receiving chemotherapy treatments. You will receive one of these free CD’s in this class. You will learn how the imagery process works and hear about the research that’s available. A brief guided imagery session will also be demonstrated with time for sharing your experience with it. 

For more information or to register for the next free class, please contact Emmett Skiles at (512) 342-0233, or e-mail him at: emmett@cancareaustin.org.

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