AT Dynamics – IAN ROSS Autogenic Therapy and Training in Mindfulness

New Introduction September 2026

I first started teaching Autogenic Training  (AT) in 1994, as a Trainee Teacher, and qualified as an Autogenic Psychotherapist in 1997. Having retired from a Medical Group General Practice in Leith in 2005, I continued to teach Autogenic Training in groups there until 2018. Since then, I have taught a few groups in East Lothian, but increasingly on a one to one basis. During this summer, I decided that the time had come for me to retire from teaching (both AT and Mindfulness), and had the final session with my last AT student  (Autogenics 3.0) a few weeks ago. 

I plan to continue writing occasional articles for the British Autogenic Society Newsletter, and have  several works in progress planned for this website (Autogenic Dynamics Articles Section). The previous Introduction  on the “Home” page, last updated  in April 2024, has been retained and appears below. 

Other aspects of the website are essentially unchanged. During my years of teaching AT, I have gradually over the last two decades developed my own approach which now differs significantly from the Standard British Autogenic Society model (for example, following the Autogenics 3.0 approach developed by Prof. Luis de Rivera of Madrid). As will be seen elsewhere on the website, I have included in my teaching aspects of Buddhist meta-psychology, Mindfulness, and relevant aspects of neuro-science that can form a foundation for our Autogenic and Mindfulness practices, thus enabling  us to develop greater insight into ourselves and others, while giving us the skills to develop our own unique and wholesome path in life. This approach resonates with the wonderful phrase of Dr Ruth Sewell (a Psychotherapist; Autogenic  colleague; and EMDR Practitioner): “Reflective and Awareness Building Practices.” 

AT Dynamics – IAN ROSS Autogenic Training

(For Mindfulness Training, please see Mindfulness section on website.)

Autogenic Training (AT) is a well-researched form of Mental Training that was developed in Berlin in the 1930s, and thus predates by a number of years more recent approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness approaches – yet it shares many aspects of these.

Most of us are aware that, to keep physically fit, we need to exercise the body regularly. In the west, it has taken us a long time to appreciate that to maintain general well-being and mental stability, we also need to exercise the mind on a regular basis. A fit body helps to keep a healthy mind, and a fit mind helps to keep a healthy body.

The combination of regular Autogenic Practice associated with mindful approaches for dealing with emotional distress give us the means and skills to cope with life’s difficulties. It can thus put us on a path to greater well-being and wholeness. 

Autogenic Training has also been found to help a number of physical conditions such as tension headaches, skin ailments (e.g. psoriasis), irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue conditions.

People who have learned AT commonly report:

• reduced anxiety
• reduced pain
• less reliance on medication or other forms of therapy
• increased concentration
• increased self-confidence
• ability to remain calm under pressure
• helping to see life as a path / journey towards increasing wholeness.

• How to contact an Autogenic Therapist in the UK via the British Autogenic Society website which has a list of AT registered therapists.
• How to contact Ian Ross, and his approach to teaching AT.

• A section on Mindfulness.
• An extended Autogenic Dynamics section which includes papers / articles / talks by Ian Ross over the last decade or so.  This section is mainly intended as a resource for therapists, as further reading for AT students who have completed or are learning basic AT – and indeed anyone interested in the interlinks between well-being, how our brains work, and effective therapeutic approaches. The same also applies for students and practitioners of Mindfulness.