Did you know that Sophrology only became available to the general public after the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France?

Sophrology was created in 1960, by Professor Alfonso Caycedo, a Colombian neuro-psychiatrist,  to develop and improve physical and mental health, without the use of medication. It was initially to help war veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, to reach optimal health and happiness with no use of drugs. He termed the name Sophrology from the Greek words SOS, PHREN, LOGOS meaning the study of conscious harmony.  

Dr. Raymond Abrezol introduced Sophrology to a greater audience. Prior to this it had been solely used in psychiatry. After applying sophrology to his tennis game and seeing the fruits of his work on himself and others, he was hired to train, in secret, four Swiss athletes competing in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Three ended up on the podium with Olympic medals. The secret to their success was then revealed to the world's press and Sophrology was being taught everywhere in France and Switzerland.

It was soon introduced to schools and is a class all students are required to take in France. French doctors recommend Sophrology as a first method, to use before going to see a psychiatrist, or taking medication for stress-related matters. Swiss oncologists recommend cancer patients to do a course prior to doing any chemo or radiation therapy so that the body can respond in the best positive manner for treatment as well as recovery. If the body is physically holding stress it is not in its most relaxed state for healing. Sophrology helps to overcome mental as well as physical stress.

I wonder who used Sophrology as part of their training preparation for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics? No doubt the French and Swiss are applying this method. I wonder if Lindsey Vonn knows about it? It might have been the best kept secret in Francophone countries up to recently, but it is now available in America.