Plain-language definitions for the terms used throughout SAF® training, sessions, and materials.
SAF (Self Awareness Formulas) — A structured methodology developed by Joseph R. Scogna Jr. that translates the body's signals into a numerical chain, connecting organs, glands, emotions, and life experiences to reveal stress patterns.
Chain — A sequence of numbers, generated from a questionnaire or an infrared scan, that represents a person's current stress pattern. Each number corresponds to a specific organ or gland system, condition, and emotion.
Chain-owner — The person whose questionnaire or infrared scan produced the chain being interpreted.
SAFent — The term used in SAF® course and practitioner materials for the person whose chain is being worked with, used interchangeably with chain-owner.
Lead — The first, most prominent number in a chain. It identifies the primary stress pattern currently active in the chain-owner's awareness.
Core — The number identifying the underlying or root pattern beneath the Lead, often pointing to a longer-standing issue.
Anchor — The number identifying where a pattern is physically or emotionally held in place, frequently tied to an earlier period in the chain-owner's life.
Up-Link — A pairing of two numbers within a chain that reveals additional context beyond what either number shows on its own, such as a specific combination of stress reactions.
Chain Interpretation — The process of reading a chain, number by number, to identify the Lead, Core, and Anchor, and translate them into a clear description of the chain-owner's patterns.
Operative Words — The plain-language labels (organ/gland, condition, and emotion, along with the age the pattern relates to) attached to each number in a chain interpretation.
Emotion Hazards — Specific emotional risk patterns identified within a chain interpretation, such as self-abnegation or feeling blamed.
Stress-120 Questionnaire — A free questionnaire used to generate a chain remotely, without an infrared device. One of several questionnaire formats alongside SAF-120 and the Q-24.
Infrared Scan — A chain-generation method using the ExTech IR 200 infrared sensitizer, typically on the face, performed in person by a practitioner. Purchased and used separately from the free questionnaires, and not part of remote sessions.
Modality — A supportive approach, such as nutrition, sound, color, acupressure, or writing, suggested based on the patterns identified in a chain.
Modality Sorter — A reference tool that connects specific chain numbers to the modalities most relevant for addressing them.
SAF Aware — The web-based software platform for generating and interpreting SAF chains, developed by Nic Scogna as the modern successor to SAF Online.
IMHA (Institute for Modern Holistic Alchemy) — The educational arm of Life Energy Publications, home to SAF practitioner training and certification.
Want to look up what your own Lead number means? Get the free Operative Chart →
Want to see these terms applied to a real example? See a sample interpretation →