Our Inner Ocean: A World of Healing Modalities

Copyright © 2014 LeCain W. Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1868-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1869-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014912678

Balboa Press rev. date: 8/12/2014

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Part One — Practitioner-Applied Bodywork

1. Health, Healing, and the Power of Touch

Becoming More Embodied

The Role of Bodywork

The Results

2. Considerations Before Bodywork

3. The Bodywork Session

Before a Treatment

During a Treatment

After a Treatment

4. The Skilled Practitioner

Considering Competence

The Practitioner and the Healing Process

5. The Art of Being a Good Recipient

Preparing for a Session

During a Treatment

Follow-Up Care

6. A World of Applied Bodywork Modalities

I. Structural Therapies

II. Functional Reeducation Therapies

III. Substance- and Implement-Assisted Therapies

IV. Aquatic Therapies

V. Spinal Therapies

VI. Abdominal Therapies

VII. Trauma-Centered Therapies

VIII. Energy-Based Therapies

IX. Energy Field and Spiritual Therapies

X. Special Therapies

7. Progressive Body-Mind Psychotherapies

Part Two — Self-Directed Healing Practices

8. Breath Is the Way

Some Basics About Conscious Breathing

Enhancing Breath Awareness

Six Types of Breathwork

Four Phases of the Breath

A Compilation of Breathwork Therapies and Practices

A Collection of Specific Breathing Techniques

Breathe in the Wind

9. Energy Flow Is the Key

Awakening Awareness of the Vital Life Force

The Divine Cosmic Connection

The Manifestations of Energy

Energy Fields and Energy Bodies

The Human Energy Anatomy: Centers, Pathways, and Points

Working with Energy

Bodywork and Energy

Two Powerful Ancient Practices

Final Thoughts

10. Making a Shift in Consciousness

Struggles and Obstacles

Awakening Through Change

Making the Shift Through Meditation

The Practice of Meditation

Some Forms of Meditation

Finding Wholeness

11. A World of Self-Care Healing Practices and Exercises

Aerobics to Yoga

12. Ripples From My Inner Ocean

Our Life’s Work

Obstacles As Opportunities for Transformation

Bringing It All Together with the Fabulous Five

Seeking Happiness

A Final Blessing

Appendix: Complementary and Alternative Health Care Resources

About the Author

To Pandora and Jazmine, who bring Papa Lee such joy

Acknowledgments

This book would still be an ambitious dream without the assistance and expertise of a great many people, who all were most generous in providing me with experiences, information, support, and inspiration. I am truly indebted to them all for their help.

First and foremost, I want to express the utmost gratitude and appreciation for the diligent work of Sheila Moir, whose patience was undeniable when it came to the editing and proofreading of this book. Without her contribution, this book would be twice as long and half as readable. In addition, the editorial services of Laurel Robinson helped me fine-tune the manuscript. I am also very thankful for the secretarial services of Bahia Yackzan and the last-minute proofreading done by Martha Jordan.

Special thanks go to Jim Kosinski for putting together the wonderful images on the front and back book cover and enhancing a number of my photographs. I greatly appreciate the hard work of Linda Deming in preparing the artistic renderings of the line-art illustrations. Many thanks also go to Trond Andersen, Shelor Duffee, William Geisler, Ron Lavin, Wendy Sichel, and Jonathan Tripodi for their photo contributions. When I needed models for photographs, Steve Ahola, Zuzonna Hout, Lari Luehman, Michael Maynard, Faith Perkins, Vickie Pollard, and David Walker generously answered the call.

I must first honor the talented and intuitive bodyworkers who provided me with the transformative healing experiences that set me on the path that led to the creation of this book. They include David Disney, Daisy Kallop, Brennan Murphy, Martha Ohrenberger, Gayle Perkins, and Karen Rowan.

Developers of modalities and the staff of bodywork institutes helped me over the last few years by providing interviews and reviewing the descriptions of their work. I extend my grateful thanks to: Pietro Abela of the ARC Institute, Laurie Adato of the Hakomi Institute, Naisha Ahsian of the Crystalis Institute, Anne Angelheart of Zenith Omega, Judith Aston of Aston Kinetics, Alianna Boone of Kentro Body Balance, Catherine Brady of Trauma Touch Therapy, Howard Brockman of Dynamic Energetic Healing, Mary Jo Bulbrook of Energy Medicine Partnerships, Igor Burdenko of the Burdenko Water & Sports Therapy Institute, Lynda Caesara of the Berry Method Institute, Joanne Callahan of Callahan Techniques, Ltd., Lilia Cangemi of Dolphin Dance Healing, Roger Cloutier of Massage, Posture, and Movement, Sue Conlin of the Therapeutic Touch International Association, Cheryl Coull of Shinso Shiatsu International, Patricia Cramer of Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy, Theresa Dale of the Wellness Center for Research & Education, Inc., Stephen Davidson of Healthabounds, Judith DeLany of the Neuromuscular Therapy Center, Maciej Dluski of Yumeiho Therapy, Stephen Dubro of Energy Extension, Inc., Louisa Dyer of WOW Processing, Diane Ealy of Physiohelanics, Ellen F. Franklin of the Kairos Institute of Sound Healing, LLC, Bob Frissell of Breath of Life, Michael Reed Gach of the Acupressure Institute, Alice Brown Gagnon of the Core Healing Center, Jill Geiger of the American Society for the Alexander Technique, Alexander George of Healing Dance, Rebecca Goff of Aquacranial Therapy, Mika Gonzalez of the Vitality Center, Neil Gumenick of the Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, Inc., Dallas Hancock and Flo Barber-Hancock of CranioStructural Integration, Janice Hayes of Delphi University, Beloved Heartsong of the LaHo-Chi Institute of Energy Healing, Paul Hughes of Vivation International, Oscar Ichazo of the Arica Institute, Carolyn Jaffe of the Health & Wellness Integrative Medical Center, Chris Jorgensen of Heartland Attunement, Doreya Karim of BioGeometry, Donald W. Kipp of the Body Awareness Institute, Beverly Kitaen-Morse and Jack Rosenberg of the Integrative Body Psychotherapy Central Institute, Tedd Koren of Koren Specific Technique, Tekla Kosa of Autogenic Training, Judith Kravitz of the Transformational Breath Foundation, Mark Lamm of the BioSync Research Institute, Sama Laskow of Holoenergetic Healing, Penny and Ron Lavin of One Light Healing Touch, Betty Jane LeClair of the Center for Neuroacoustic Research, Shar Lee of Tibetan Cranial, Dennis Lewis of Authentic Natural Breathing, Paul Linden of the Columbus Center for Movement Studies, Bobby Lott of the Theta Healing Institute of Knowledge, John Loupos of the Association for Hanna Somatic Education, Lisa Loustaunau of the Institute of Core Energetics, Benjamin Marantz of AcroSage, Dirk Marivoet of the International Council of Psychocorporal (Bodymind) Integration Trainers, Dorothy Martin-Neville of the WISE Method, Terry Matthews of Jin Shin Jyutsu, Inc., Sharon Metzger of Neuro Cranial Restructuring, Stephanie Mines of the TARA Approach for the Resolution of Shock and Trauma, Mary Molloy of the Gerda Boyesen International Institute of Biodynamic Psychology and Psychotherapy, Pierre Morin of Creative Healing, Jim Mutch of Soul Lightening International, Richard Pavek of the SHEN Therapy Institute, Theresa Pettersen-Chu of the International Association of Rubenfeld Synergists, Tobin Rangdrol of the Arcata School of Massage, Victoria Ross of the International Institute for Corrective Muscle Therapy, Inc., Kay Sassani of Matrix Energetics International, Diane Shewmaker of Celestial Wellspring Publications, Mary T. Sise of the Energy of Belief, Rebecca Skeele of Noetic Balancing, Jacquelyn Small of the Eupsychia Institute, Justin Snavely of the Trauma Institute, Ruth Sova of the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute, Bell Tam of the Tom Tam Healing System, Jennifer Taylor of Quantum-Touch, Inc., Iona Marsaa Teeguarden of the Jin Shin Do Foundation for Bodymind Acupressure, Angelika Thusius of Kentro Body Balance, Jonathan A. Tripodi of Body Memory Recall, Susan Walker of Hellerwork International, Preston Walters of Imago Relationships International, Dan Watson of the LaHo-Chi Institute of Energy Healing, Ric Weinman of Vortex Healing, Cameron West of Aquatic Integration, June Leslie Wieder of Song of the Spine, Susan Winter of the Rolf Institute, Amanda Wongsonegoro of the Hendrickson Method Institute, Gina Wrinn of the Institute of Integrative Manual Therapy, Michael Young of the Muscle Release Technique, and Cynthia Zaal of the Myopractic Institute. Working with them made the project most enjoyable.

Likewise, I give thanks for the experiential teachings, feedback, and support provided by the professional bodyworkers, therapists, and healers who have guided me over the last decade and reviewed material for the book. They include Duffy Allen, Suzanne Blackburn, Carol Borsello, Jane Burdick, Brenda Colfer, Charlene Crane, Terry Conrad, Connie Curtin, Charlotte Davis, Dede Eaton, Benjamin Fox, Jeannie Gaudette, Laura Handler, Nora Hebich, Kathie Keane, Rocco Laptenca, Eileen Mielenhausen, Brennan Murphy, Jan Nash, John Penkalski, Faith Perkins, Gayle Perkins, Anne Perry, Claudia Ragonesi, Karen Rowan, Johanna Schwarzbeck, Wendy Sichel, Sheila Thompson, Dick Tryon, David Walker, Paul Weiss, Diane Whiteside-Peck, and Janet Willie.

In addition, I must thank those instructors and mentors who provided me with training in self-care practices that brought me further insight and well-being. They include yoga teachers Gabriel McCormick, Tim Miller, Donna Davidge, and David Walker; Holotropic Breathwork facilitators Elizabeth and Lenny Gibson; Transformational Breathwork teacher Judith Kravitz; sound healer and chant master Jill Purce; qi gong master trainers Paul Weiss and Michael Winn; embodied meditation teachers Tara Brach, Lama John Makransky, Lama Willa Miller, Anam Thubten, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche; and traditional African healer Sobonfu Somé.

Last but certainly not least, I must express my deepest appreciation for the wisdom transmitted by people I’ve never met. At different times in my life, their teachings and examples have inspired me on my quest for self-realization and compassion. Many thanks to Meher Baba, Ram Das, Pema Chödrön, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Osho (Rajneesh), Reginald Ray, Rumi, Robert Thurman, and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. I feel blessed by the insight they have provided.

I can’t close without a bow of gratitude to the many friendly people and healers in the Polynesians islands of the Pacific Ocean, who have the natural ability to share their heartfelt joys and sorrows.

Preface

When speaking of the inner ocean, many images come to mind. Like the watery home in which life first evolved, we may see it as the place of origin from which consciousness arises. It may suggest a place of great depth at the core of our being, a world of mystery that lies beneath the surface of awareness. It can be imagined as a great body of energy that is not only contained within each of us but also spreads out into limitless space, connecting everything and everybody. Perhaps everything we perceive is just a holographic representation of this larger universe from which all things originate. Can any of us really know what magnificent wonders await us when we plunge deep within and touch upon the vital force responsible for our existence?

To most of us, the word ocean stands for something vast, fluid, all encompassing, and full of life. Over the centuries, questions about what lay beyond the waves lapping at the shore fueled great discoveries as those who were able to get past their fears ventured forth to explore beyond the horizon. But with discovery came the problems facing us and our world today. Perhaps it is time to explore the ocean of life within each of us, a boundless sea of immense potential flowing with energy and full of mystery. It could contain a new dimension of awareness without boundaries from which our true self can surface and become recognized as an integral and well-loved part of our being. We might discover great depths of wisdom that can help us understand our true nature and the reality of our world. With this, we can surrender a previously limited identity and release capabilities that allow us to live with a new sense of openness, healthy and at peace.

When I was young, struggling to live harmoniously with my family, friends, and neighbors, I turned to nature as my guiding star, exploring the woods on handmade trails that led to secret campsites. My home was right on the ocean, and I woke up every morning with the sound of the harbor channel bell buoy in my ears. My imagination was always tantalized by what lay beyond the horizon. As the years passed and my time at school ended without my feeling any real professional call from the land, I realized my future lay upon the ocean—the outer ocean. As fate would have it, that summons from the sea became my saving grace. With strong intention, dogged determination, and, of course, some twists of fate, I was able to actualize my destiny, becoming captain of my own ship. I spent many years voyaging on the water and ultimately circumnavigated our globe.

A thousand miles from land, the meditative quality of being at one with the open ocean took hold of me in a new way. I felt a strong sense of accomplishment, wonder, and aliveness while adventuring with the elements, but my heart still yearned to be part of something greater than myself. It was as though the spirit and sacredness of something larger was calling, something that could benefit my well-being and that of others. As I reflect upon the transitions that followed, I realize that life is a continual unfolding in which each step of the path must be honored in a way that allows for constant awakening. Sailing around the world was only a precursor to the even more spiritual endeavor of exploring the inner ocean of my being.

When I first returned from my grand world cruise, I was mystified when I thought about what I should do next. How could I top such a great experience? What could make me that happy again? Looking more deeply, I realized I hadn’t been that happy after all. In many ways, I had always seemed to be striving to complete that next crossing to another distant isle while fleeing the world of human discourse I had never quite been able to handle. Even though I had been present to the sea, the ship, and the adventures they brought me, I hadn’t been totally present to my own true nature. My efforts needed to take a new direction. It had become apparent that the boundless sea at the heart of our existence is where the answers and solutions to the problems of our life reside. And so I embarked on the exploration of the inner ocean of my own being on a quest to discover the innate abilities and wisdom within that could heal and transform.

What I can fathom about this inner ocean depends on the level of my perceptions at any given time. Sometimes my vision is limited to the immediate horizon; sometimes my awareness expands to an infinite depth. We all have moments in life when we are able to perceive things on a deeper, more soulful level. Something has been altered in a way that causes us to feel as if our body, mind, emotions, and spirit are unified in a wise and healthy way. For me, these moments often come through bodywork, and especially through experiences with the breath. Taking a closer look at the body means recognizing not only its physical aspects, but its interconnection with thoughts, feelings, spirit, and soul. It seems quite possible that the wisdom that lies within our own bodies, contained within the inner ocean, can shift us into a state of openness and harmony in which we recognize the inseparability of ourselves and others. Such a state reduces the stresses of human interaction that so often not only lead to disease but escalate to conflict and war.

One thing I learned from my world cruising experience is that when you live close to nature in simple, relaxed environments such as I found in those remote South Pacific paradise islands, you seem to be living in a way that is more fully present. This is particularly true when you dive down deep into the sea, for in the presence of the unusual and unknown, you have to be fully conscious, aware, and open to the unexpected. I have since often found it helpful to try to embody this state of mind when driving in city traffic or doing some other hectic or stressful activity here on land. Maintaining this healthy state of being is not always easy when living with the stresses of the fast-moving, driven pressures of modern living. It seems that to alleviate the suffering caused by these stresses, we all need to remember what it’s like to feel in harmony, in love, or in a some other state where the whole body resonates with good feelings. The key element seems to be taking a pause. When you have a chance to stop and let the body and mind remember what is really important in life, then it is possible to intuitively know in our heart of hearts what is best for us. What better way to create this pause than through bodywork, conscious breathing, energy medicine, and self-care exercises such as meditation or yoga.

Looking inward is like diving into the depths of our own being, into that inner ocean, to see what we can discover. May this publication help all beings recognize new powerful options for achieving optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Introduction

If you look around at our world today, we seem caught in a maelstrom of war, disruption, civil strife, environmental disasters, pollution, and competition, all contributing to agitation, emotional problems, stress, and ultimately disease. Stress, whether caused by worries about global or local events or simply the difficulties of making it day to day, undermines the body’s natural ability to ward off disease. The fast pace of modern life causes us to make unhealthy choices about things such as proper rest, exercise, and nutrition, all of which are vital to maintaining a healthy body. The rise in toxic environmental pollution weakens our immune system, preventing individual cells from doing their jobs effectively. The emotional side of things is no brighter. Many of us feel separate and alone, unable to connect with anything that is really meaningful. Our internal world is often devoid of the feeling and insight that bring us into a more integrated and balanced way of being.

During the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution, the Western world left mythology and superstition behind to embrace a more rational perspective. With the Industrial Revolution, we mechanized our work and clustered people into cities where services could be offered more efficiently. By now, we’ve been to the moon, found ways to prevent diseases that were fatal not long ago, and created the Internet, which allows us to communicate instantly with people far away. But by and large, we have concerned ourselves with improving only material comfort, safety, security, and control. We’ve relegated spirituality to church on Sundays, lost our ancestors’ day-by-day connection with the natural world, and become detached from our true feelings. Overvaluing intellect and reason has divided us into separate, nonintegrated parts, masking the wisdom of our bodies, much to the dismay of our hearts.

So how have we responded to all these pressures on our bodies and minds? By developing our modern allopathic health care system. Okay, it’s technologically advanced with plenty of amazing equipment, but thanks to the efforts of rapacious pharmaceutical companies and greedy for-profit businesses and corporations, the very latest (and most expensive) drugs and equipment are foisted on an unsuspecting public, increasing the already high cost of health care. Ads offer miracle cures on every television channel, in spite of the risk of side effects and drug interactions. Of course, we’ve brought some of this on ourselves by our desire for a quick fix, our fear that we can’t help heal ourselves, our propensity for filing malpractice lawsuits, and our conviction that new, expensive medical care, even if it has not passed the test of time, is the best way to go. Not only that, but many dedicated health care professionals cannot spend enough time with patients to truly address their problems. Modern allopathic health care is a complex system in which specialists work in compartmentalized ways; each holds a narrow, symptomatic focus that does not permit seeing the whole person. But to simply treat symptoms without addressing the root cause is like applying a Band-Aid when CPR is needed.

Health care, especially preventive care, existed long before there was ready access to doctors, but the reliance on institutionalized medicine has unfortunately marginalized these more natural alternatives. In earlier times, shamans used potions and trances to drive out disease, sometimes successfully. Throughout the centuries, wise women in local communities offered herbal treatments that are now being vindicated. Midwives delivered babies as a community service, without drugs or worrying about malpractice insurance. Every mother had a treasured recipe for spring tonic. And if we had to see a doctor, it was often someone who had known us since we were born, who could view our illness in the context of our life and family. Our very lifestyle tended to promote better health. Before cars were epidemic, people—especially kids—actually walked. Before refrigeration and refrigerated transport were taken for granted, we relied on seasonal foods, growing produce ourselves or buying from farmers who produced it without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We took more personal responsibility for maintaining good health. But nowadays, many people feel they can do or not do, eat or not eat anything they like, because a magic pill will restore the good health they have not cared for.

The time has come to make a significant shift and look at health and health care in a more comprehensive and holistic way by acknowledging that a human being is a dynamic organism in which the body and the mind (with all of its thoughts, feelings, and emotions) are completely interconnected and that dysfunction can manifest in unexpected ways. Creating the optimal functioning that we call good health depends on applying appropriate remedies to each and every part of this whole that requires attention. This kind of approach is necessary now more than ever. We need something that encourages individuals to slow down, be present in the moment and in their bodies, and become more self-aware and complete.

Today, you often hear the expression complementary health care. It embraces a substantial array of holistic therapies, practices, treatments, and preventive care that support the reality of a deep interconnection between the body and mind. This concept is often referred to as the body-mind and sometimes the heart-mind. These terms reflect the recognition that the physical body, heart, mind, sensations, emotions, thoughts, soul, and spirit are interdependently connected in ways that go deep below the surface of our everyday awareness. Then there is the energy that flows in, through, and beyond each being and makes all possible. Recent studies and scientific research are proving that there is even an energetic interconnection between the cellular and the cosmic. Some ancient medical systems, especially those in Asia, have long acknowledged these relationships and have developed natural, integrative treatments that go well beyond the scope of conventional medical practice. Acupuncture, yoga, and qi gong, as well as macrobiotics, naturopathy, osteopathy, homeopathy, herbology, and a vast assortment of therapeutic movement exercises, breathing practices, and self-care methods, all recognize the importance of treating health issues and their interconnected causes by inspiring and promoting a profound awareness of the body-mind connection. It is in the complementary and alternative therapies that the inner energies of the body, personal feelings, and spirit are honored as equal partners in health, because when all aspects of our being are integrated, we can truly attain a level of optimal functioning and health.

The Scope of This Book

When I first started work on this publication, my intention was to focus on the various modalities of bodywork that a practitioner can offer to a recipient. But over time, I came to realize that self-care methods of bodywork were the other side of the coin, equally important for enhancing overall well-being and crucial if we want to be of service by helping others improve themselves. One significant experience was instrumental in precipitating this recognition.

A few years ago, I was participating in a Holotropic Breathwork workshop. During the sessions, participants lying on floor mats practice specific deep breathing techniques for about four hours, during which time ecstatic music is played at a fairly loud volume. The overall intent is to promote a kind of altered state in which some form of cathartic release or personal transformation can take place. Each participant is supported in the process by a nearby sitter who tends to their basic needs, while experienced professional facilitators circulate through the group and provide additional therapeutic assistance through verbal inquiry, movement of the participant’s body, or certain ways of touching. It is not unusual for many of the participants in the large room to express themselves with all sorts of spontaneous sounds and body movements.

For most of the session, my experience was not particularly dramatic, though I was definitely more aware of the feelings inside my body and noticed that certain music made my skin tingle and vibrate in a way that mostly felt very soothing. However, when my expectations had ebbed to a low point near the end of the time, something shifted. I believe that this was caused in part by powerful, deep-toned chanting music that was playing just as one of the facilitators began doing some bodywork on me. My back had begun hurting, and I had just sat up straight. Typical of the bodywork done in a Holotropic session, the facilitator was applying deep pressure to the pain, which was rapidly intensifying in my back. In addition, she sandwiched her hands around my heart chakra. The pain in my back was getting intense, and I was directed to continually breathe into it. It’s hard to describe what happened next as the whole of my being was peaking into an intense experience. The pain eventually exploded into a significant release in which I was simply transformed into pleasure and joy. At the same time, my body alternated between wanting to relax and receive the nurturing and wanting to sit up and be more energetically active by doing something like yoga. Each of these responses represented two seemingly opposite ways of dealing with a painful issue. One is the avenue of receiving healing through surrender, whereas in the other, you find healing through your own activity. My body fluctuated between these two kinds of healing, and I continually shifted between lying down and sitting up until I came to a midpoint in which the two extremes became the integrated state of being fully present. Energy was then flowing throughout me so strongly that I melted into a condition in which overwhelming visions and feelings carried me into a state of blissful awareness and oneness. Tears and laughter poured from me as my body vibrated with what I can only call a deep sense of insight and inner wisdom.

This experience demonstrated to me that there are two sides to the golden coin of healing, so these two approaches became the two parts of this book. In one part are the practitioner-applied therapies in which a person lies down and surrenders to receiving; the second part looks at the more active self-care healing and rejuvenating practices such as meditation, yoga, and qi gong. Since each is simply a different side of the same coin, either can contain elements that support the other. Therefore, this book about our inner ocean, which is a space of all possibilities, became a compilation of all the therapeutic forms of bodywork and transformative healing practices found around the world today that honor the deeper inner connections among all aspects of a human being. Even though many have proved themselves over many years, sometimes for millennia, most have not attained the recognition they deserve from Western medicine. I hope to give you information that will help you recognize how these complementary modalities can provide a more integrated sense of health and well-being either alone or in combination with other forms of health care.

The Organization of the Book

Part One covers practitioner-applied bodywork in which a trained professional uses varying degrees of physical or subtle touch on a client to promote health and healing. These bodywork modalities are divided into ten categories according to primary focus or approach to healing to help provide a better understanding not only of how each is used but also of how they relate to one another. These categories are: structural therapies; therapies that use movements, manipulations and adjustment of alignment to reeducate the body; therapies that address the spine; therapies that focus on the abdomen and internal organs; therapies that incorporate separate materials, implements or substances; aquatic or hydrotherapies; therapies that work with emotional and mental trauma that have created chronic dysfunctions; therapies that work with the energy in the body; therapies that heal through manipulation of the surrounding energy fields; and special therapies that contain a unique method or location of application, that are carried out for a distinctive purpose, or that use an uncommon mix of modalities. In addition, there is a chapter on progressive forms of psychotherapy, counseling, and training that incorporate a strong recognition of the body-mind connection in the treatment of mental or emotional issues. These include practices that work to improve communication skills, change core beliefs, and improve individual quality of life.

Part Two examines methods by which you work on yourself through specific practices or exercises. Though performed alone, they most often require some initial training or guidance. These practices include such things as breathwork, energy work, meditation, rejuvenating movement practices such as dance, aquatic exercises, and transformative practices such as Aikido, Tai Chi, qi gong, and yoga. The effects of some of these therapies can be experienced immediately, although perfecting many of them requires years of discipline. Part Two also contains chapters that discuss breath, energy, and meditation, mainly because they play a key role in all healing practices, especially when it comes to releasing blockages, inhibitions, and dysfunction and encouraging the growth of self-awareness and the evolution of the spirit.

This separation into practitioner-applied and self-care modalities is somewhat arbitrary, since they are complementary to one another; bodywork modalities found in Part One often have related practices in Part Two. For example, the practitioner-applied modality of Bremma Bodywork has self-care practices that a person can perform at home, and Kunye Massage Therapy has its own yogic self-care counterpart. The Trager Approach gave birth to Mentastics exercises. The same is true for many others. The opposite is also true, since certain types of hands-on bodywork arose from elements of self-care practices such as qi gong and Yantra Yoga. Additionally, practitioners often recommend specific self-care practices as an adjunct to bodywork therapies. The dividing line here is that one type requires a separate practitioner and the other doesn’t.

The Coverage of the Book

The therapeutic modalities discussed in this book have diverse origins. Many can be traced back to shamanic healing practices or the principles and practices of health care found in the Vedic-Hindu, Buddhist, Tibetan, and Chinese Taoist traditions. These ancient forms are based on the holistic approach of relating physical health to the universal life-force energies that bind us all together. The seeds they planted have sprouted and grown into many branches, both well known and obscure. Some healing practices are a synthesis of these older therapies and new ideas; some may offer a unique combination of methods from other therapies. Others have been made possible through recent technological advances. There are also modalities that are most often combined with other types of therapy. And then there are the modalities that are waiting to be born or still at the teething stage. In bodywork as in life, all is subject to change and evolution. The aim of this guidebook is to help increase awareness of these complementary therapies by presenting a basic overview of many (though unquestionably not all) of the established forms of therapeutic bodywork and holistic self-care methods presently available.

I had to develop some personal standards about which modalities to include. Words like useful, significant, authentic, and worthwhile were the ones that guided me. I tried not to allow popularity or availability to affect my decision-making. Some that you will read about are part of the mainstream of complementary and alternative medicine. Others, especially those more recently developed or practiced in remote areas, may have many virtues, but have not been tested by time or found wider usage. In addition, it was sometimes difficult to discern whether a modality was a distinct form of treatment, even some that are trademarked and well established. Many forms of bodywork are not only closely related in terms of their principles and approaches, but use similar methods and techniques. They may be based on older methods, but have evolved as new research, new technology, and new insights have cross-fertilized with a practitioner’s experience. They may be something completely new, prompted by a developer’s personal experience. If I have included something, it’s because, even though it may appear similar to another, I believe there are elements in it that make it distinct. However, I have tried to omit those that are essentially copies or imitations of others.

Considering the number of different modalities (more than 500 forms of bodywork and 200 methods of self-care) discussed here, it would be impossible to cover each of them in depth, so I have chosen to focus mainly on guiding principles and purpose, while also describing what actually happens during a treatment session. When appropriate, I have also discussed the energy aspects of each bodywork therapy, since that is an integral part of the healing process. Many developers and practitioners of modalities mentioned here have created their own institutions, associations, seminar programs, and training schools to further perpetuate the use and spread of their work. The web sites below listings usually provide this information, as well as details about the modality itself.

Although web-site addresses were correct at the time of publication, they do seem to change frequently, and they are certainly not the only source of information about a modality. Some of the best descriptions of modalities are found on the web sites of individual practitioners, but their inclusion here is not an endorsement of any particular individuals, except to salute them for making clear to the public what it is that they offer. When possible, web addresses with general information are what is provided. In any case, you may want to carry out additional Internet searches for further details and practitioners near you. Please realize that the inclusion of any web site is not meant to imply that the information contained there is correct or complete. The Appendix at the end of the book also contains the names of some useful organizations related to bodywork and complementary medicine as a whole.

Although I do make some basic comments about the primary intended effects of a modality, I have tried not to elaborate, except in some minor ways, upon the benefits and the results—either claimed or expected—of a treatment, since this is so subjective and depends on the particular practitioner and the condition of the recipient at that moment in time. Advertising superlatives are often not related to real-life experiences, but I am convinced that powerful and positive effects on the whole being can come through the hands of a skilled practitioner or the intention of a dedicated seeker.

If there are contraindications to a particular modality, I have tried to include them. Contraindications are considered to be existing problems that make certain forms of bodywork inappropriate for an individual. What constitutes a contraindication varies from modality to modality and in many instances, it may apply only to people with some substantially limiting condition. Anyone who is concerned about how a particular modality might interact with existing conditions should consult a health care practitioner and discuss the situation frankly with the bodyworker.

The information presented for each modality generally includes the name or names of the modality, its place within a larger medical system (if applicable), historical background (who created it and how it was developed), the basic approach and intention, the essence of a treatment session with details of the bodywork techniques, and some conclusions. Actions that the recipient can take after a treatment are also included when offered by a particular kind of therapy. In addition, there may be information on closely related modalities and those that evolved out of the original. Ancient modalities, whose origins are often clouded, matured over a long period of time with input from a number of different people. In other instances, a developer took something ancient and reestablished it with new insights, language, and parameters. Sometimes, the form was the work of a single person. Though this historical information is always interesting, the focus here is helping the reader understand and compare all of the possibilities.

The information about each of these modalities was acquired from a variety of sources, not the least of which was decades of my own personal experiences and involvement with alternative therapies. (No, I have not yet experienced them all, but maybe I will be lucky enough to do so before I die.) My own life changes through travel, retreat experiences, meditations, altered states of consciousness, and energetic practices such as yoga and qi gong also contributed immensely to my perceptions and knowledge about many of these healing therapies. In addition to years of study and research, I carried out numerous interviews with developers, founders, and practitioners, who were often kind enough to critique what I had written or add new insights. In the end, what is detailed here is a synthesis of the ideas and understandings that I gained. But I firmly believe that to really know the essence of something requires experience. You can read hundreds of books on sailing, but without getting out on a boat on the water you will never really learn how to sail. Since I am the kind of person who always likes to accomplish things and experience life to the fullest, I am passionate about exploring the inner ocean. If you’re anything like me, this voyage of discovery is taken even more to heart when your interest is piqued by the amazing rewards that come from doing something you love and getting remarkable results from the spiritual realms that have a powerful way of hitting home.

The descriptions of some forms of treatment may be more detailed and specific than others because of a combination of factors, primarily my own experiences and familiarity, the amount of information available, and the complexity of the modality. Some methods are simple enough to negate the need for lengthy discussion, whereas others are more involved and part of a larger system of healing. I will also be the first to admit that to a certain extent some of the modalities discussed have been presented more extensively because they are closer to my own liking and reflect what I have personally valued and experienced the most. However, the amount of information presented does not reflect any judgment on my part on the credibility or value of any modality.

Unless specifically requested by a practitioner or developer of a modality, I have not included the initials after their names that indicate licenses or certificates. This in no way reflects on their expertise, and the information can be found on the web sites listed for these modalities.

All specialized fields in time develop their own jargon and specialized language, often not clear to laypersons. Bodywork is no different, but when possible, I have tried to explain technical terms in simple language. For modalities that originated in non-English-speaking countries, I have chosen to use the spellings that are most prevalent in present-day English or in the discipline itself. For example, you will not see chi gong, but rather qi gong. Daoist becomes Taoist. The life-force energy that permeates many of the practices is called by different names in different countries; for simplicity’s sake, this energy is usually called chi throughout the book. You will, however, find variations from these general rules depending on the kind of explanation needed for a specific practice.

It’s probably also helpful to clarify certain terms that are used repeatedly throughout the book. A system of healing is bigger than any single modality and usually includes both bodywork and other therapeutic practices based on specific beliefs about the nature of healing. The terms modality, method, and therapy are used synonymously to indicate a form or type of bodywork. A technique, on the other hand, is usually a particular practice or element that is incorporated in a modality, though some techniques are powerful enough to be considered modalities in themselves. I most often refer to the person who established a modality as the developer or founder. In some cases, this can be a bit misleading, since the roots of the therapy may have originated in ancient times, and the developer really is someone who was instrumental in establishing the present-day usage of this therapy by reviving, redeveloping, or promoting the original, as well as creating new variations on it. And finally, the word recipient may be exchanged with client, patient, or even partner. In any case, you know who you are.

And finally, there is the issue of gender bias in language. In this day and age, he is no longer the automatic personal pronoun, nor is his or him. The English language has not caught up with the indisputable fact the men and women are equal partners in the game of life. Perhaps some day, their will become a singular pronoun, but that day is not yet here. Rather than fumbling with he or she or he/she or s/he, I have chosen to alternate she and he as best I can. Chapters contain one or the other usage throughout; listings of modalities alternate them. You will undoubtedly find some slipups, but the goal has been equality.

It is not necessary to read this book in any particular order. You can start at the beginning or go right to any chapter that calls you. However, browsing through the entire work will give you a better understanding of its organization and where specific information can be found. You might even discover something unexpected and suddenly inspiring. Anyone looking for a specific modality or practice, an important historical figure, or the developer of a modality and people who played a role in its development can use the index to find this information quickly.

Each of us has many choices to make in life, and making the healthy ones that will improve our lives is not always easy. Optimum health is not an unreachable goal, and it is heartwarming to note that so many effective measures can be incorporated into our lives, whether to resolve ongoing problems or prevent such difficulties from arising. To choose correctly, we must be guided by our intuition and informed by our wisdom. It is my aspiration that this book will add to that storehouse of wisdom.

True healing is not only the recovery from a dysfunction, but an ongoing life process in which a person strives for the fullest level of functioning and fullest potential as a human being. Long-lasting change can take place in minutes or develop slowly over time, but, with the assistance of integrated bodywork and self-care practices, we can maintain healthy lifestyles that minimize stress and keep us in a balanced relationship with our natural environment. It may not be just a matter of living longer, but of living well right up to the point when we leave our bodies behind and go joyfully without worries into the vast, unknown ocean beyond. May you all have a happy journey.

Practitioner-Applied Bodywork

Every human being is a miracle composed of interconnected and interdependent parts—body, mind, emotions, energy, and spirit—that waltz together in the dance of life. The heartbeat is the rhythm section, and the melody is played as the human organism pulses and vibrates with life-force energy. It’s also a mystery, because much of what goes on within the body takes place without our even being aware of it. Skin cells are constantly being born, maturing, and dying. The blood is continually delivering nutrients to the cells, and carrying off waste products. Emotions seem to have a life of their own. But what happens when the dance is interrupted, when any of the partners falters and can’t perform properly? We can just put up with it, or—better yet—we can seek some form of healing therapy to get us dancing joyfully again.

In this first part of the book, we’ll take a look at the many different modalities of practitioner-applied bodywork that can be called on to get us back in our groove, every part listening closely to the body’s wisdom. These holistic practices rely on the body-mind connection, so there’s also information about some psychotherapeutic programs that focus on rectifying mental or emotional imbalances by addressing them through somatic practices.

Chapter 1 considers the meanings of health and healing and examines how bodywork, healing touch, and the body’s wisdom can become our allies. Chapter 2 reflects on questions and concerns people might have about the experience of bodywork, including deciding which modality is the right one. The treatment session itself is covered in Chapter 3, with information on what to expect during a session. Chapter 4 discusses the training and qualities that come together to create a skillful practitioner. The art of receiving bodywork is the topic of Chapter 5. It includes information about necessary preparations and some ideas about what may be helpful during and after a session. Chapter 6 is a big one, because it covers the multitude of different bodywork modalities available around the world today. The choices are divided into ten categories, each of which represents a primary focus and approach to healing. This chapter ends with some reflections on information in this chapter. Chapter 7 goes beyond practitioner-applied bodywork to look at progressive training programs, psychotherapies, and counseling therapies that emphasize how the body, mind, and emotions are connected and how they contribute to a person’s well-being and enhanced personal development.

CHAPTER 1

Health, Healing, and the Power of Touch

When discussing health and healing, it may first be helpful to define disease. Basically, a person with a disease is without ease (dis-eased), meaning the body is not functioning effortlessly, as it should. Disease can also be seen as an imbalance or lack of harmony within the body system, which is an interconnected whole in which a problem in any part affects all parts and can show up anywhere in the body with the indicators we call symptoms. Some say that disease is hereditary and caused by particular genetic codes found in our DNA. External factors such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, infectious substances, electromagnetic disturbances, chemicals, pollution, and bad weather have been posited as its origin; however, in these cases, the real cause is often the body’s inability to muster its defenses against these invaders. Disease may be linked to internal blockages created by injuries, traumatic events, inappropriate beliefs, disturbing emotions, disappointments, and the stresses of modern life that have become locked in our bodies. These obstructions can prevent the free flow of natural healing energy and play havoc with our body’s ability to respond in a healthy way.

Health is really an ongoing process as we strive to attain the highest level of functioning and our full potential as human beings. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems like this kind of life is unattainable. We settle for thinking that we are just fine, especially in comparison with others who obviously are not. But if we open our eyes and see the unlimited possibilities in front of us, we realize that no matter how together we might seem, there is always more that could be changed and improved. Each of us has the ability at any time to make choices that bring positive change and the opportunity to break free of limitations, but we may not always believe it. And that’s where healing comes in.

So what then is healing? At first glance, the word seems to imply that something is wrong with us, that we need fixing. Although this may indeed be the case if there are specific physical or emotional manifestations of inner disturbances to the healthy functioning of the body or mind, this notion can diminish our self-image and even increase our resistance to improving ourselves. Healing can more properly be thought of as something that helps us improve our health, actualize our full potential, and expand our inner and outer horizons. Healing can change the heart and inspire joy. It is the love of truth and the truth of love in our lives. Indeed, in some situations where people cannot be cured, they can nevertheless be healed. Healing can address problems that arise from subtle shifts, dramatic changes, or traumatic events that occur in our lives and eventually show up in some part of the body; if left uncorrected, they can lead to further dysfunction, disease, a chronic condition, or even death. But if these disturbances are caught early, healing can be preventive rather requiring us to take on the heavy restorative work that will be necessary later. Like health, healing is not a destination but an ongoing process that involves ups and downs and the daily death of that which does not lead to well-being.

True healing may involve a series of changes that at first don’t appear to resolve the issue in a straightforward way. A problem may actually seem to get worse, or the symptoms can change or move to another area of the body. The course that healing takes may force a person to face issues that she wasn’t aware of and that weren’t immediately apparent. And beliefs, predispositions, and the degree of readiness for healing can be why people with the same symptoms experience different results from the same practice. Indeed, the path to true healing may have more to do with the personal work done between treatments than on the effectiveness of a particular modality.

The role of the mind in healing may be somewhat analogous to the placebo effect. Scientific researchers have undertaken experiments in which a simple glass of water is given to patients who believe they are receiving a golden elixir that will truly take care of their problem. These experiments frequently yield positive healing results that are very perplexing to the researchers. What these studies really reveal is that what enables healing is often the patient’s mental and emotional state. The effectiveness of a particular practitioner or modality may depend on the client’s belief that the treatment will be successful. It’s also a fact that healing may be happening even if it seems that nothing remarkable has occurred; the benefits may not be apparent until much later. Healing can be very obvious or very subtle and mystifying, and often the recipient becomes aware of any changes only through her own interactions with her world.

Becoming More Embodied

The body could be said to have a mind of its own, full of wisdom. It is not a frozen anatomical structure but a river of energy, with messages from each system flowing out to all the others all the time without our conscious direction. Knowledge and memory, both physical and emotional, reside in the body itself, often deep within the layers of each of our organs, right down to the cellular level. Our cells are constantly being spoken to by this flow of energetic intelligence, and in response, they offer their own wisdom. If we allow it, even every cell can become a little powerhouse of healing.

True healing can be difficult if we avoid the physical and emotional pains in life, but if we meet them head-on, we may discover the truth about their causes. Symptoms are the body’s way of telling the mind that it’s time to get help. However, many forms of dysfunction or disease, especially in their early stages, may not present serious symptoms. It is important to go inward and listen to what the body tells us about the cause and true location of the pain. It might even say that it’s time to see a medical doctor. But if the body is led by a mind that does not listen to it, then dysfunctions can arise that are beyond the body’s ability to control or heal. The more we can be a witness to subtle patterns of behavior and become aware of the internal processes occurring in the body, the better chance we have of preventing a problem from arising or healing an existing one. We can develop an inner sense of who we are and what we need by listening to the body’s wisdom as the body speaks its truth and gives us the right feedback. When the inner doors of perception open, we can experience a flood of information and energy rising to the surface.

We all have a natural desire for optimal functioning and an instinctual drive toward wholeness, and we each have within a great potential for awareness, especially awareness of both the body and the spiritual dimensions underlying it. When we wake up and allow awareness to speak to us, we can tap into wisdom and become our own healers. Each of us is the expert on our physical and mental health. When we don’t acknowledge this, we are less than we can be, but when we dive into the vast ocean of awareness inside us, we evoke the potential to melt away many of the troubling issues we encounter in life.

The time has come for each of us to be overwhelmed by the magic of our bodies and our own power to heal. It’s all a matter of becoming more embodied, more connected to all the sensations, energies, and subtle vibrations within our physical form. It means becoming truly alive. The body’s wisdom, supported by a caring and intuitive bodyworker, can be your ally on the path toward healing. And by becoming friends with your body through bodywork, you can give it that extra loving support that is so important when it just can’t cope alone with some of the more overwhelming life situations that cause dysfunctions to occur.

The Role of Bodywork

Expanded self-awareness and healing can come spontaneously through some event, as if life experiences are our teachers. But the path to good health has many pitfalls. Life’s changes and tragedies can sometimes throw us out of balance and wholeness. A lost job, the death (or birth) of a relationship, an accident, the passing of a dear friend, the sinking of a ship—their effects can be detrimental in many ways and, if not cared for, remain dormant as self-limiting factors for many years. It is wise to find solutions early on before the trauma becomes ingrained in the body on a cellular level as a chronic problem. Even if we’ve let things go on a little too long, the natural impulse to make a change for the better can work to our advantage. Many of us need a helping hand at different times through our lives, and bodywork is just that.

Bodywork, as it is used in this guidebook, has a very broad definition. Human beings are not a collection of different unrelated parts, but a complex of totally interconnected and interdependent elements—physical body, mind, energy, and spirit. So bodywork means any form of healing therapy that improves health, performance, quality of life, and well-being. Though touch or some form of physical manipulation by a skilled practitioner is often involved, bodywork treatments sometimes depend instead on healing energy directed by various means to the recipient. In some cases, healing is possible just by being close to energies that vibrate at a higher frequency. Bodywork also includes the self-care practices in which people take personal action to change or maintain their states of health. Most modalities of bodywork have a primary area of focus, but many have the potential to affect all areas of the body and all levels of being to some degree because of the interconnections among all parts of the body. Although some are scientifically based and work primarily to treat symptoms that show up in the body, many are more holistic and recognize the need to integrate the physical with the mental, emotional, etheric, and metaphysical.

Touch is a major part of most forms of practitioner-applied bodywork and can range from light, exploratory palpations to pressure applied to progressively deeper layers of the body. From the time we are born, touch is one of the simplest ways of connecting with another person; it is the oldest form of communication. Touching, caressing, and stroking the body is vital to our physiological and emotional well-being. When done in a sensitive and tender manner, as can be the case in bodywork, touch can fill our fundamental need to be loved and accepted and can awaken our own ability to love. It can warm our hearts. This is powerful medicine, especially for those who need support. Of course, we all know that touch is involved in physical lovemaking. Through bodywork, we can experience the nurturing and energizing rewards of physical love without the sexual act. Touch can also be therapeutic: releasing tension, relieving pain, and stimulating the flow of energy. The skin is our largest organ and has millions of tiny receptors. It keeps us in constant contact with our surroundings and sends a multitude of sensations via the nervous system to the brain. The brain can then signal a response that can affect any other part of the body. All this from a pair of skilled and loving hands!

The work done by these hands is what we call bodywork. Some bodywork is done simply to provide a relaxing, pleasurable experience. Other modalities work with movement and manipulations to reeducate and expand a person’s functioning. Some deal therapeutically with specific problems or dysfunctions. Others focus on a certain area of the body such as the feet, spine, head, or abdomen. Many are directed at working with physiological components and systems, such as the skin, fascia, muscles, joints, bones, organs, and nerves. Some forms of bodywork provide ways of processing emotions or dealing with trauma, detrimental attitudes, or limiting belief systems. Bodywork can also focus on the energy in our body or on the etheric or spiritual realms.

Hands convey the loving intention of the heart.

The various forms of bodywork approach healing from many different perspectives; they can therefore help us deal with the vast array of physical, mental, and emotional disruptions we face every day and help prevent us from slipping into conditions that are unhealthy. When our bodies, minds, and emotions are in a balanced state of good health, the effects can spill over to promote the health of our family and community. Alternative