Anxiety Relief (Guided Self-Healing Practices) [Abridged, Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Martin Rossman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Guided Self-Healing Practices | Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Tells you how to reverse these debilitating states through relaxing, rejuvenating guided imagery techniques that Dr. Martin L. Rossman has effectively prescribed to thousands.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin L. Rossman, M.D., is a physician widely known for his pioneering work with guided imagery in the healing arts. Clinical Associate in the Department of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco, Adjunct Faculty California School of Professional Psychology, and formerly a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Institute for the Advancement of Health, Dr. Rossman is currently the Director of the Collaborative Medicine Center in Mill Valley, California, and Co-Director of the Academy for Guided Imagery.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; Unabridged edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591791901
• ISBN-13: 978-1591791904
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Books on CD > Health, Mind & Body > Fitness

More About the Author

Physician, acupuncturist, researcher, and educator Marty Rossman, MD has been interested in how we can use our minds to best support our good health for over 40 years. He is the Award-winning author of Guided Imagery for Self-Healing, Fighting Cancer from Within,and over 50 audio CD programs that teach mind/body self-healing skills. He practices Integrative Medicine in Greenbrae, California, and you can learn more about Dr. Rossman at www.thehealingmind.org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anxiety Relief, September 14, 2005

By 

CandErS "WhereIsHe?" (Am. Falls, Idaho-USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anxiety Relief (Guided Self-Healing Practices) (Audio CD)

This CD was very soothing but I feel like I almost have it memorized now. I wish there were more exercises to relax to, on here I believe there is only 4. The only thing I didn't like about it was that he says the same thing at the beginning of each exercise. Also I was looking for something maybe with some soothing music this CD only has a little at the beginning and the end. Overall I think it was a good purchase though.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent assist to let go of anxiety and breathe deeply again, July 14, 2007

By 

Cathryn A. Blake (Marina Del Rey, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anxiety Relief (Guided Self-Healing Practices) (Audio CD)

Marty's way of introducing is very permissive and without expectation, allowing me to go at my own pace. I was recently diagnosed with cancer and sleep has not come easily and I have frequently felt myself overwhelmed. Listening to the whole CD or sections of it has been extremely helpful and grounding. Sometimes I fall asleep while listening to it. Marty's voice quality is soothing and calming. I've also given it to a few of my anxious patients who have found it helpful, and am in the position of having to order more for my office.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Innovative Use of Guided Imagery--But Is It Effective?, March 4, 2009

By 

mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Anxiety Relief (Guided Self-Healing Practices) (Audio CD)

Anxiety Relief by Martin Rossman is audio therapy that offers three exercises that use breathing, relaxation and guided imagery. It is 74 minutes long in its entirety so it really fills up the CD unlike some anti-anxiety discs. The guided imagery technique is explained in that most anxiety comes from the imagination--i.e. dreading things that have yet to happen or harping on regrettable things of the past. It all sounded like an interesting and innovative path to relieving stress and anxiety. After several weeks of using this CD, though, I am still on the fence about its effectiveness. One of my main complaints is the exact same 8-minute introduction used for each exercise. It's incorporated into each track so you cannot skip it unless you fast forward through it. It is important to settle into a relaxed state before starting the guided imagery, so you wouldn't want to skip it anyway. I wish the intros were changed for the other two exercises. Hearing the exact same wording (even the "for example..'s") before different exercises brings a monotony that is unnecessary.

Exercise 1: Deep mind/body relaxation (21:09). Relaxation is the first skill to learn in anxiety relief. The introduction starts with breathing, creating a movement that signals the body in its shift to deep relaxation mode, and focusing inward and inviting each part of the body to release stress and relax "in its own way." He calls the tension or awareness in the parts of the body "intelligence" which I find a little odd. He also tells you to notice how each body part responds and that this response is "all right for now." What does he mean by "for now"? Is there a time during the use of this CD where it won't be all right (it's the 20th listen, that left calve had better fall into line!) Anyway, you will know this introduction very well as the exact same recording is used for the other two exercises. The guided imagery is a safe, healing place. You imagine being in a place where you can "do nothing and have it be good for you." This is a time to heal and renew your body.

Exercise 2: Dialogue with your inner (wisdom) advisor (22:08). Imagine a kind, caring and wise image to whom to communicate your concerns. You're guided into a consultation session with your advisor where you ask questions about the things that cause you anxiety and long spaces of silence are included on this disc as you listen carefully to the response. I am still not sure about this technique. It assumes that you have the answers inside of you. Maybe that is true for some people, but is it for all? Rossman says you can use a fictional character which might seem strange, but I actually think it might be more useful. A character from television, for example, you might see and know better than real people. You know their voice, their mannerisms and their ideals from hours of viewing and, since they aren't real, you're not going to bump into them later or attach some value to someone they may not want. An animated character with qualities for getting through rough times in life (i.e. the common sense of Hank Hill or the motherly care and sensitivity of Marge Simpson) might be an option for those having problems envisioning their advisor. I haven't explored this idea deeply while using this exercise, but it is something I've thought about.

Exercise 3: Evocative imagery (25:32). This guided imagery has you thinking of qualities you wished you had (i.e. strength, calmness, etc.) and feeling those qualities within you and then imagining them growing and expanding throughout your entire body and your surroundings. You can also adjust these feelings like a radio dial. These exercises sound like anxiety relief techniques I've been looking for, but I haven't been impressed with the results so far. Perhaps it is the stale delivery or the introduction that I don't care for and is used before each exercise. Still, I think it is innovative enough that I am glad I have it and will keep it in my rotation as I really want it to work. If these ideas sound intriguing, I recommend giving it a try.