“My experience with Calatonia. Method created and developed by Dr. Pethó Sándor “ – Cidinha Aguilar Clemente – Speech Therapist

I was born with dystonia, a condition that required the use of orthopedic boots and steel braces for my scoliosis and lordosis. My psychotherapist, Ione Gallioti referred me to Dr. Sándor in 1964. At the time, I was five-foot-five and weighed about 190 lbs. 

In my first session with Dr. Sándor, he briefed me on the Calatonia technique and initiated the treatment right away. He suggested that I not be concerned about relaxing or expecting anything extraordinary. Initially, I felt scared because I could not command the involuntary movements of some muscles in my legs. Dr. Sándor explained that those movements were new adjustments of my muscles and an indication of relaxation. How could such a soft touch cause a strong reaction? 

I had therapy once a week, and received Calatonia each time, and little by little, my anxiety decreased, as well as my weight. I had changes in all aspects of my life. On the physical level, my hypotonic muscles gained tonicity and flexibility, and eventually, I did not use the boots and braces any longer. At the emotional level, I became confident, secure, and my self-esteem increased, tremendously. 

My intellectual capabilities, too, were expanded and I felt the need to intensify my studies in speech therapy, establishing connections with other areas of knowledge, in search for a holistic understanding of my patients. At the social level, my interpersonal skills naturally unfolded; it became easier to me to accept people and relate to them. Overall, my perception, sensibility, and consequently, my spirituality developed. In 1968 I got married, weighing at that time 140 lbs, free of the boots and braces. I had become healthier and balanced. 

My interest in learning the techniques was such that Dr. Sándor invited me to join a study group at his office, and later I registered for the specialization course in Kinesiology at Sedes Sapientiae. We studied neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychosomatics, relating our learning to a Jungian understanding of human psyche. 

The method has been a tremendous asset in the treatment of my patients in speech therapy, especially those with psychosomatic, stress, and psychomotor problems. It has helped them take charge of their potential and have quality of living, promoting self-efficacy and well-being.

For twenty six years, I had the joy of learning with Dr. Sándor, who had so much to teach, and always had the precision to demonstrate the techniques that dissolved the tension and knots, and made us feel livelier, lighter, and balanced.