Fantasy trip

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Fantasy, fairy tale or dream journeys are imaginative processes. In psychotherapy they are used to track down inner strength and wisdom or in trauma therapy to create a safe place. As a relaxation process , they have a therapeutic effect. They are told as stories by a speaker. A deep state of rest and relaxation is achieved through a relaxed body position (lying on your back with your eyes closed), the attention of the speaker and the turning to the pictures in your own imagination , which are mostly experienced as pleasant . Reduced muscle tension leads to physical and mental relaxation. The listener imagines inner images of the texts in which as many pleasant sensory impressions as possible are built.

procedure

A fantasy journey usually consists of five parts:

  • Preparation; Creation of a pleasant atmosphere (e.g. also with the use of essential oils and background music or nature sounds)
  • brief relaxation (calm tone, creating a light trance can be an advantage)
  • Main part with ( fictional ) story (approx. 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes); Frequent pauses (from 10 seconds to 2 minutes) so that the listener has time to empathize with the images
  • Return to reality through deep breathing, stretching and yawning to activate the circulation (optionally also without return with a direct transition to sleep)
  • Conversation or expression-centered painting / design for evaluation

Forms of the imaginary journey

Depending on the density of the instructions and the resulting inner space, different forms of intensification of the imaginary journey can be distinguished, whereby the limits in practical application naturally do not have to be strictly drawn.

Fantasy stories

Every successful story is a fantasy story insofar as it gives space to one's own imagination. Sentences like “Imagine that!” Or “How do you like it?” Encourage identification with the story. See also storytelling .

Guided fantasy journey

Here, the listeners are directly asked to connect with the images and to actively participate: “Imagine that you are standing on the bank. You smell the salty air, the water plays around your feet. Now go along the bank and ... "

Half-open fantasy journey

Here, the guided fantasy journey is expanded to allow freedom within a strictly guided set of instructions, e.g. B: “What would you like to do now? You have enough time. "

Open fantasy journey

Here only a framework is given in which the first images and thus the situation are described. There is a lot of room for inner resonance that is caused by basic impulses. The traveler follows his inner images in the further course. A mutual conclusion leads back to reality (“Look around you again, take with you whatever experiences you may take with you, and now come back to this room and slowly open your eyes”).

Therapeutic fantasy journey

Working with inner images and imagination can have therapeutic effects. The image of the “spring meadow”, the “path up the mountain”, the “walk down a flight of stairs” or into a “cave” is well known. The companion or therapist supports the approach to inner images through open or directing questions or through the introduction of new image elements. In doing so, the view can be directed specifically to partial aspects of the picture and thus a topic can be brought into focus ("You see a door in the wall. You open it and see a staircase that leads down ..."). Often “powerful figures” are introduced into the imagination (old wise man, wise woman) who can give helpful answers to essential questions of life. The transition to catathymemic image life and the upper level of autogenic training and other imaginative therapeutic methods is fluid.

Possible applications

Imagination journeys are a valuable method in psychotherapy to find inner resources and solution strategies for current tasks and problems. The relaxation effect of imaginary journeys is used in behavior therapy . In occupational therapy , fantasy journeys are used therapeutically, especially in the fields of pediatrics and psychiatry , often together with elements of progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training . They are also used as a form of meditation in yoga , for example in the final meditation ( Dhyana ) on chakras .

Fantasy journeys are also used in education , for example in kindergartens, schools or museum education or religious education . This allows historical events or foreign cultures to be experienced particularly vividly.

application

Contraindications

See also

literature

  • Stefan Adams: New fantasy journeys. Relaxing exercises for youth work and adult education. Don Bosco Verlag, ISBN 3-7698-1451-7 .
  • Evelyne Maaß u. a .: Applying imaginary journeys in practice. Imagination as a source of inspiration. Junfermann publishing house, ISBN 3-87387-584-5 .
  • Gerda and Rüdiger Maschwitz : Fantasy trips to the meaning of life. Suggestions for children, adolescents and adults . Kösel-Verlag, Munich 1998, ISBN 3-466-36505-8 .
  • Robert Masters, Jean Houston: Imagination Journeys. To new levels of consciousness: a guide through our inner spaces. Kösel-Verlag, Munich 1991, ISBN 3-466-34091-8 .
  • Else Müller: You can feel the grass under your feet. Autogenic training in fantasy and fairy tale journeys. Verlag Fischer (Tb.), Frankfurt 2010, ISBN 978-3-596-23325-0 .
  • Thomas Niklas Panholzer: Hypnotic fantasy journeys. On the paths of dreams, for more self-knowledge and happiness. Verlag Südwest, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-517-08415-2 .
  • Kerstin Ursula Lang: Fantasy Travel, Relaxation Travel, Dream Travel. Books on Demand , Norderstedt 2012, ISBN 978-3-8482-0634-6 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cf. on this Gerda and Rüdiger Maschwitz: From Fantasy Travel to Body Work. Existential methods - used skillfully. Kösel 2004, p. 146 ff.