SARIS: Smith Audio Relaxation Instruction Series The Smith Audio Relaxation Instruction Series (SARIS) contains relaxation CD instructions appropriate for client and student use. The included 7 CDs are designed to be used with Dr. Smith’s textbook and clinical manual, Relaxation, Meditation, and Mindfulness: A Mental Health Practitioner’s Guide to New and Traditional Approaches. All exercises have been digitally recorded by Dr. Smith with an absence of distracting music or nature sounds. The emphasis of each CD is on providing pure versions of each approach to relaxation (yoga instructions without accompanying breathing instructions; progressive muscle relaxation without accompanying images of letting go). The goal is to help the user identify the unique effects of each approach to relaxation so that exercises can be effectively combined and targeted to relaxation training objectives. Prospective users are invited to first try or download the Relaxation Sampler, a collection of exercises selected from the SARIS CD collection. CD CONTENTS THE RELAXATION SAMPLER The Relaxation Sampler CD introduces the six major systems of relaxation in the SRS. The Sampler can be presented as a relaxation exercise on its own, a tool for introducing the diversity of approaches to relaxation, or a way of summarizing and reinforcing techniques that have already been presented. In addition, the Sampler can be used to assess the potential appropriateness of different types of relaxation; before training, one simply practices the entire disc, and identifies which exercise tracks were definitely preferred or disliked. YOGAFORM STRETCHING Presents 11 simplified stretching exercises based on Hatha yoga. One slowly and smoothly stretches various muscle groups while in a seated position. Track 1 offers complete instructions in which one stretches left and right hands, arms, and legs independently (first the right hand, then the left hand.) Track 2 offers a brief stretching sequence which combines pairs of exercises (stretch both the right and left hand together). Full Yogaform Stretching (Time: 29:40) Brief Yogaform Stretching (Time: 20:41) PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION Presents progressive muscle relaxation, an approach that involves attending to a muscle group, tightening up, and then releasing tension. Eleven groups of muscles are targeted. Three increasingly simple versions are offered. Tracks 1 and 2 present full and abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation. Both versions target 11 muscle groups; the brief version combines pairs of exercises (both hands together). Track 3 introduces a letting go exercise in which one simply focuses on a muscle group and lets go without first tensing up. Full Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Time: 26:34) Brief Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Time: 18:59) Letting Go (Time: 11:16) BREATHING EXERCISES Presents instructions for 12 brief breathing exercises, each lasting from 2 to 3 minutes). The first five exercises combine breathing and active yoga stretching. The next three focus on diaphragmatic breathing, a special and important skill many people find difficult to master. The final four exercises are examples of passive breathing in which one uses a variety of effortless strategies to breathe in a way that is slow, full, and even. Breathing exercises are uniquely mixable and are often incorporated with all other approaches. For this reason, each breathing exercise is presented as a separate track, separated by silence. Slight Blowing Breathing (Time: 3:03) Leaning Breathing (Time: 1:55) Bowing Breathing (Time: 1:56) Stretching Breathing (Time: 1:54) Slow Bowing Breathing (Time: 3:12) Stomach Squeeze Breathing (Time: 2:52) Stomach Touch Breathing (Time: 1:53) Sniffing Breathing (Time: 2:17) Blowing Breathing (Time: 2:31) Deep Breathing (Time: 2:31) Focused Breathing (Time: 3:01) AUTOGENIC TRAINING Presents Dr. Smith’s version autogenic training, an approach that involves passively thinking suggestions of sensations associated with physical relaxation. One lets suggestions come and go with as little deliberate effort as possible. Four physical sensations are targeted: heaviness, warmth, calmly beating heart, and abdominal warmth (solar plexus). Track 1 presents verbal suggestions, in which physical suggestions are presented through words. Track 2 presents visual images that suggest the same body sensations of relaxation. Unlike traditional autogenic standard exercises, breathing and forehead exercises are omitted because they can confound the effects of the exercises presented here, and they are presented on other CDs in the SARIS package. Autogenic Training: Verbal (Time: 16:15) Autogenic Training: Visual (Time: 16:24) IMAGERY Relaxation imagery techniques involve creating a daydream or fantasy of a quiet relaxing setting or situation. In practicing imagery, one involves the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. This disc presents two types of imagery: sense and insight. The Sense Imagery Track first introduces four sense imagery themes: travel, nature, water, and indoor. One then selects a preferred image for practice. The Insight Imagery Track has as its theme traveling a path to a special wisdom place to encounter one=s relaxation guide.One then presents this guide with an important question about relaxation. Sense Imagery (Time: 28:53) Insight Imagery (Time: 22:54) MEDITATION / MINDFULNESS Introduces meditation, an approach that involves calmly attending to a simple stimulus or task and returning attention after every distraction. One does so by exerting as little effort as possible. Three meditation options are offered. Track 1 is a review of eight basic meditation types. The sequence includes three meditations of the body (body sense meditation, rocking meditation, breathing meditation); two meditations of the mind (mantra meditation, meditation on a visual image); two meditations of the senses (external image, sounds); and finally a simple form of mindfulness. Track 2 presents Graduated Mindfulness, a sequence of five mindfulness meditations (taste B breathing B the body B thoughts B sounds B full mindfulness). Track 3 introduces Walking Mindfulness, in which one attends to the simple act of slowly walking. Eight Meditations (28:08) Graduated Mindfulness (Time: 24:06) Mindful Walking (Time: 14:25) THE SMITH RELAXATION INVENTORY SERIES The Smith Relaxation Inventory Series includes usable templates for questionnaires for assessing relaxation. Details are presented in the text, Relaxation, Meditation, and Mindfulness: A Mental Health Practitioners Guide to New and Traditional Approaches (Smith, 2005) Note that only inventories are included, not norms or validity and reliability data. As such, these inventories are not appropriate for norm-based formal assessment. THE SMITH RELAXATION GOALS INVENTORY (SRGI) This one-page inventory can be used to help determine one’s goals for learning relaxation. Scales include: Sleep/Napping Stress Management Healing Health and Energy Calm, Directed Action Productivity and Effectiveness Spontaneous Enjoyment Creativity and Insight God-Based Spirituality Meditation and Mindfulness THE SMITH RELAXATION PREFERENCES INVENTORY (SRPI) This one-page questionnaire is to be given after one tries the Relaxation Sampler set of exercises. On it one identifies which of the relaxation approaches sampled was preferred. The SRPI is a useful too for determining which SARIS CD instructions to present to trainees. THE SMITH RELAXATION STATES INVENTORY REVISED (SRSIr) This one-page inventory measures the 15 psychological states (R-States) that can emerge in relaxation. R-States are among the most important effects of relaxation training and may contribute to positive treatment outcomes. Scales include: Sleepiness Disengagement Rested/Refreshed Energized Physical Relaxation, At Ease/Peace Joy (Happy) Mental Quiet Childlike Innocence Thankful/Loving Deep Mystery Awe/Wonder Prayerful Timeless/Boundless/Infinite/At One Aware (meta R-State) THE SMITH RELAXATION STATES INVENTORY BRIEF VERSION (SRSIbv) This is a one-page brief version of the SRSIr. It is appropriate when rapid, multiple, or nonintrusive assessment of relaxation is desired. Price: $70.00 Free Demonstration Add to Order