A method of mentally inducing physical relaxation via serially telling each part of the body to relax. May start with head moving to feet or the opposite. Although often used strictly for relaxation or in preparation for meditation or ritual, progressive relaxation is also used as a first step in the induction of a hypnotic trance, especially by people learning hypnosis.
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Sandra Kynes, author of several books, including The Herb Gardener's Essential Guide, Plant Magic, and the new Witches' Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, among many others.
Although a few old books...