A Foundation Year student reflects on overcoming a lifelong fear of flying – and discovering a new direction for her future work.
Her experience offers a personal reflection on nervous system regulation, self-awareness and the quiet power of simple practices used consistently over time.
What first drew you to Sophrology, and what made you decide to start training in Sophrology?
About 13 years ago, I was seeing a neurologist for chronic migraines. With medication, he helped reduce the frequency of my migraines significantly. After two years, I asked him how much longer I would need to stay on the medication. When he told me it would likely be lifelong, something about that did not sit right with me. I explained that I wanted to be weaned off the medication and instead focus on diet, exercise, and a more holistic approach, as I disliked the side effects.
To my surprise, he opened his drawer and handed me the business card of a local sophrologist. Although he did not know her personally, he had heard she had helped many people suffering from migraines. Since I was already interested in exploring a more holistic path, I immediately made an appointment. Through her, I learned breathing exercises and gentle relaxation techniques that helped me feel more grounded and gave me an overall sense of well-being. Over time, through this healthier lifestyle approach, my migraines were reduced to a much more manageable level
You’ve spoken about a fear of flying that you’ve had for many years – tell us about that and what’s happened since beginning the Sophrology training?
I have been a passenger on airplanes for over 40 years now. However, until recently, I had never boarded a plane feeling completely serene. My body would begin rehearsing for disaster days before a flight, and I rarely slept well the night before.
To be fair, most of the flights I’ve taken have been perfectly smooth and uneventful. Flying is, after all, supposed to be the safest mode of transportation. But there were two or three flights that left a lasting bad impression on me. At one point, I even considered never flying again, which is not exactly practical if one ever hopes to see faraway family and friends.
What I disliked most was not the flying itself, but the fear and anxiety that took over my body. I would look around the cabin in amazement at people casually chatting, sipping coffee, and flipping through the in-flight magazines as though they were on a city bus. Meanwhile, I was gripping the armrest, trembling slightly, and reciting a collection of my favourite prayers. The prayers must have worked because we always landed safely, but internally I arrived feeling like a nervous wreck.
Over the years, I came across programs designed to help people overcome their fear of flying. Ironically, I avoided them like the plague. The last thing I wanted was to revisit that fear voluntarily – especially while still on the ground.
I started my Sophrology training in September 2025 and, little by little, I began practicing the techniques and incorporating them into my life. I noticed that when I was sitting on a plane, I did my best simply to notice the engine noises, turbulence, and other sensations without immediately judging them or imagining the worst. Along with my usual prayers, I also began practicing some of the calming and square-breathing exercises that were taught in the first level of the Sophrology method.
In Level 2, we started working with different types of guided practices. One practice, called Trip to the Sky, was especially interesting for me. It helped me see situations from a new perspective. I learned how to look down from above, zoom out, zoom in, observe, contemplate, and become curious rather than fearful.
A few days following that guided practice session, I had to take a flight by myself. To my surprise, I noticed that I had slept peacefully through the night before the flight. I felt happy and serene at the airport and on the plane. Once we were up in the air, I found myself taking photos of the plane against the Mediterranean blue sky and the turquoise sea below. The sun was shining, and it turned out to be an unexpectedly pleasant flight.
Since then, I have flown internationally and domestically without stress or anxiety. I never expected anything to help me with my fear of flying, so I am genuinely surprised that this has happened.
Just last evening, my nervous system was put to the test again. I took a two-hour domestic flight. I had slept well the night before the flight and felt completely serene. Although I had seen severe weather warnings for strong winds at my destination, I stayed calm and avoided jumping to conclusions.
Everything in the beginning of the flight went smoothly. There was some light turbulence, but I remained peaceful. Then, about 45 minutes before landing, we could feel the strong winds pushing the plane off course. I noticed my nervous system becoming slightly activated, but I kept myself grounded with prayers, breathing exercises, and by looking in admiration at the enormous, towering storm clouds outside my window. I had never seen clouds so large before.
After what seemed like a long while, the skilful pilot landed the plane safely, to the applause and cheers of many relieved passengers. All was well, and my nervous system did not feel nearly as jangled as it would have in the past.
I am not suggesting that Sophrology is some magical cure-all, but for me, overcoming my fear of flying using simple, practical techniques has been a very unexpected — and very welcome — outcome of practising Sophrology.
How do you hope to use Sophrology in the future?
I have been a teacher for many years and would love to introduce Sophrology into the school community for students, teachers and parents. There is a real need for it. Teachers today are working with students who are very different from those in the past. Many young people seem to be experiencing much higher levels of pressure and anxiety, perhaps linked to phones, social media and the experience of living through the pandemic.
Chronically stressed students often struggle to learn effectively, and I believe from my own experience that students, teachers and parents could all feel calmer, more refreshed and better equipped to face what is in front of them – especially during exam preparation – with the help of some simple Sophrology techniques.
More broadly, I feel that Sophrology could benefit people across all parts of society. I would love to play a part in bringing Sophrology sessions into hospitals, care homes, workplaces and community centres.
Do you have a favourite practice or ‘go-to’ technique?
That would have to be the Trip to the Sky exercise I mentioned earlier!