Customer Reviews

Progressive Relaxation & Autogenic Training

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Like most people reading these reviews, I have a problem with stress and tension. Unfortunately, I found out through costly trial and error that most of the relaxation tapes and CDs out there aren't worth the plastic they're recorded on. A lot of them involve professional voice actors reading a script and telling you how relaxed you are and how refreshed you are going to feel when you wake up. Although the voice may sound pleasant, one still gets the sense that the person is not a real therapist and is simply reading a script. This CD is different.

With master's degrees in psychology and physical therapy, Ms. McManus is well qualified to do a CD like this. She has one of those very soothing voices, the kind that makes you want to close your eyes and take a nap. And although she may well be reading a script, she doesn't sound like it. Everything from her tone to her timing and emphasis, as well as other subtle nuances, suggests that she knows what she is doing. Both exercises are done with relaxing harp music in the background.

Track 1 is progressive relaxation. Ms. McManus guides you in tensing and relaxing different muscle groups-beginning with the arms and ending with the legs. She even has you tense your butt! The whole exercise takes about 35 minutes. I often find myself dozing off by the time she gets to my back muscles, which is good since I suffer from chronic insomnia. I have found this exercise to be a wonderful way to end the day and to drift off at night or to go back to sleep after awakening in the middle of the night. It's also a good substitute for an afternoon siesta after you've had lunch.

Track 2 is autogenic training. This method is designed to induce relaxation by suggesting that various body parts are warm and heavy. In fact, you are told to repeat phrases like, "My arms are heavy and warm." To be honest, I don't listen to this track nearly as often as I do the first because I don't find it as helpful. That's just my preference, though.

This CD is not a panacea for stress and tension. After using it daily for about two months, I still struggle with tension, especially in the jaw and neck. It has undoubtedly helped me, though, and I believe my life is a little better for it. Sixteen dollars well spent.

I had been searching for a relaxation CD but was dissatisfied with the samples that I heard in various stores. Diving in with "blind faith," I decided to give this one a try. It has been very helpful for relaxation and stress management. Carolyn's voice is accompanied by the harp and it makes for a wonderful combination. I finally found what I was looking for and I would definitely recommend this CD.

This CD provides a wonderful way to relax. Ms. McManus has a beautiful, calming voice and the harp music is a wonderful addition. I especially like the second track: autogenic training. I am a long-time meditator and find autogenic training to be a welcome addition to my practice. I would recommend this CD to anyone who would like a pleasant, easy way to handle stress.

If you watch south park you know who Tweek is. The kid who drinks way too much coffee and freaks and stresses out over the smallest of every day problems. That was me 2 weeks ago. After having baught this cd, I didn't realize the solution to 20 years of stressing out was 15 dollars away and one of the simplest and oldest solutions of all time. I've done one session a day with this cd since I got it. Now I can start repairing the holes in my walls and actually live my life w/o resentment and anger and stress. The second track is ok like others said, but definately not as effective as the first. I feel like the main guy in the movie Office Space when its over as though I just took about 4 muscle relaxers and a valium. Just be sure and do it in the late morning or middle of day, like on your lunch break, else you'll keep losing focus and fall asleep.

My therapist had guided me through a relaxation exercise that I was never able to adequately replicate at home. So I searched Amazon and found this CD. I had been dealing with anxiety attacks at work and stress at home. I now listen to this CD before bed and I have never had an easier time getting to sleep. I had been the victim of a burglary in my home and for months couldn't sleep because of hearing noises and some OCD behaviors (checking windows and doors throughout the night). Now I am totally relaxed and sleep through the night. I've started to listen to the CD over my lunch hour at work and I swear it's like I've taken a Xanax afterwards--totally de-stressed and calm. Like other reviewers, I don't use the second Autogenic part as often but it's good during the day because it's shorter and to the point. I haven't tried any other relaxation tapes/CDs but couldn't be happier with the quality and effectivenss of this one. If Carolyn McManus is reading this by chance, I searched Amazon for hypnosis CDs by her specifically, on quitting smoking. If you ever make one of these CDs, I will be first in line to buy it.

I am a self development coach with graduate education in biology, biochemistry and psychology. As part of my practice, I work a lot in the area of stress management and also facilitate workshops on meditation and biofeedback. In general, I am aware of almost any new tapes that come out and this one is one of the very best.

Both progressive relaxation and autogenic training are thoroughly researched and have proven to be very effective if practiced regularly. This tape is relatively unique in that it provides both progressive relaxation and autogenic excercises on one tape. This makes it an excellent value and the length of the two exercises is just right.

This CD is very well done, a fault of many similar CDs is that the pace is too fast or flow or that the directions are not good, complete or specific enough. This audio has good well thought out and the directions are very specific. The pace is also just right and the addition of harp music is tasteful and integrated with the content.

I have used this CD myself a number of times and it is effective for me. Different techniques work better in some people than others, so I think it's a plus that you have two to try on this audio. Ideally, these types of techniques work best when you apply them regularly. Therefore, it is a good idea to practice even when you are not feeling particularly stressed.

Carolyn McManus also has several other products out. All of them are good, but I particularly like Relax into Restful Sleep. This CD also has harp music, so if you like this feature of the tape being reviewed, most likely you will benefit and enjoy the one on restless sleep as well.

This CD is a fantastic primer for relaxation. I purchased it for my wife, who deals with a lot of stress at work. What I found was that from the very first section, she was given a quick and simple technique that took no time to learn, and was extremely effective. This CD was the best money investment, dollar for dollar, that I could have made, to improve my wife's quality of life. (And by extension, my own!)

Since I purchased this Cd I have not stopped listening to it. Ms Mcmanus' voice is so calm and soothing and really does relax you. Do seem to fall asleep to it although this is unintentional. This for me is one of the best relaxation cds I have. I particularily enjoy the harp music in the background that really does enhance the relaxing effect. An excellent product and well worth getting.

I regularly recommend relaxation methods to clients that I see for counselling. It is a powerful method not only to relax, but is especially helpful for people recovering from trauma and abuse, whose bodies are still very reactive to triggers.

This is one of the best recordings I have come across, and I have used many over the years. The voice is clear but soothing , the instructions well done and the background music really adds to the atmosphere. I highly recommend it.

I enjoy using the progressive relaxation CD. The woman's voice is very relaxing and gentle. Using the CD does help me clear my mind of worries and anxieties. I would recommend this to anyone whose mind moves at a million miles an hour and can't stay in one place. This CD helps focus the mind on the present moment.