If you know about weSPARK Cancer Support Center, you probably already know about Linda Clements Urich’s Guided Imagery Class, which meets the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. You know that it is a great tool for reducing stress and anxiety, managing fear and finding balance. But how does it really work?
First, you start off by breathing deeply and getting into a very relaxed place, which in itself is very soothing and welcomes feelings of wellbeing. Next, Linda gently guides you using symbolism and visualizations. While doing this, your body enters a slight state of hypnosis and your brain enters a heightened sense of awareness. Physically, you become more relaxed and not as attached to your conscious thoughts. This allows whatever images you are using to bypass your rational thinking process and take root in your subconscious.
Guided imagery is effective because your body holds these images as a matter of fact. When you receive images of healing and wellbeing, a spontaneous process occurs which suspends time and allows these healthy images to flow directly to the parts of your body that need healing. Guided imagery tells your body to infer that the rest of your body is healthy and to focus healing on the parts that have cancer.
Linda’s Guided Imagery class reduces and calms fears; focuses on self-exploration; builds esteem, confidence and inner strength. It helps you let go of anger and betrayal and find comfort and trust in your body’s natural ability to heal. Focusing on the positive reduces stress and leads to a more balanced life. Guided Imagery can also help you adjust to scarring, lessen the side effects of treatment and find acceptance on your journey. Once treatment is over, Guided Imagery is useful for helping you set and achieve goals so that you feel more empowered and focused on remaining strong and healthy.
One weSPARK guest who is a two-time cancer survivor, believes that practicing guided imagery helps her de-stress before blood-work and scans so that she feels less anxiety and insomnia. “Every time I get in fear, I say ‘In my mind I continue to live in constant abundant health’ and it releases my fear.”
If you are interested in attending Linda’s Guided Imagery Class or participating in our other healing classes, please call weSPARK at 661-288-2322.