Customer Reviews

Guided Imagery for Groups: Fifty Visualizations That Promote Relaxation, Problem-Solving, Creativity, and Well-Being

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an essential and beneficial addition to the shelf of any trainer, therapist or individual dealing with a tense situation or loss. Andrew Schwartz's Guided Imagery for Groups includes fifty scripts for relaxation. There are also comprehensive explanations of both relaxation and guided imagery basics and the role of a guided imagery facilitator is well explained. Schwartz also offers techniques for practicing visualization sessions which can be modified for individual use. Each script has an easy-to-follow formula which outlines the goal of the imagery, the length of the exercise, suggestions for the best audience and necessary materials. Optional group processing activities further enhance the visualization techniques described within the book. As someone with relatively little experience with training techniques, I found the author's style to be clear and thorough. This manual is an excellent resource for anyone looking to diversify his or her presentation style.

The "Guided Imagery for Groups" has provided some wonderful readings for me while my class is in Savasana (corpse pose or final relaxation). Last week I read the "Picture" (page 104) where I had my students visualize a scene and then enter it. They all said it was the best one yet; visualizations are becoming their favorites for Savasana. The book is divided into scripts for calming, centering, creativity, congruence, clarity, coping and connectedness. This makes it easy for me to choose an appropriate reading. Each script also indicates the time required to read it; I can fit the script to the time I have left at the end of our practice. There are four introductory chapters with basic information for presentation and two scripts for preparation.

I use this book quite often in my relaxation classes. I especially like the longer scripts such as "Beach Tides", "Tornado" and "Sanctuary" because they give the class plenty of time to really get into the imagery so they can relax and let go of stress. However, I think the shorter scripts are very good too (e.g. "Blanketed in Relaxation", "Balloon" "Eagle in the Sky"), and will become more useful to me as I continue working with people in different situations and time constraints. I am particular about the scripts I use with my classes because I want people to have a wonderful relaxation experience, and I have found that these scripts are consistently well-received and effective. Clients will tell me things like "I could really imagine myself on that beach" or "I felt like I was in a very peaceful place". It is so rewarding to help people learn ways to relax, and books like these are great tools for me to use in my practice.

I appreciate the description/introduction Andrew Schwartz provides for each guided imagery script, as well as the explanations of different relaxation techniques in the beginning of the book. He writes beautiful scripts that are for pure relaxation as well as those that promote skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking and centering. I will happily buy a new copy if mine ever wears out from years of use, because it has been such a helpful resource for me and my clients!

~ Beth Freschi, M.A., Life Coach

Nice range of subject matter that is adaptable to a variety of group types

I used guided imagery scripts from this book as a group facilitator at a mental health facility. Patients who entered the room wound up as tight as a band left in peaceful contemplation. Many said this portion of the session helped them so much that all they wanted to do afterward was take a nap; needless to say I began to make certain the guided imagery session was the last activity of the day so the patients would be wide awake during the other parts.

I use this book daily with my clients to practice relaxation and guided imagery as a coping skill. The clients like the variety of the scripts, and they like how easy the directions are to follow. If you use this with a group of people who are average or lower intelligence, you may need to swap words due to vocabulary limitations, but overall the book is excellent and I recommend it highly!

Book shipped quickly and I loe it just as much as I thought I would. I recommend this book for others, there are a number of exercises to choose from.

I run a group on meditation and use some visualization and guided imagery in the introduction to the group/class...
this book comees at a perfect point in trying to develop other visualizations for th group.. it's all right there and so easy to follow and so complete a book.