Resources and Research
        (Please keep in mind as you read this, that the field of bodymind therapies is very broad and deepening fast although it is still in it's formative stages. Hence, as regards the categorization, some systems I list below may shift from one category to another over time. These lists are probably incomplete to begin with, and other information sources may disagree. But such is part of the nature of exploration in growth processes, long needed and now current in the realms of health and wellness.)

Some Methodologies/Approaches with/of/for Mind-Body Therapies:

(Note for further resourcing: many of the terms and names mentioned can be used to find -via internet search engine- more complete information for this fast-growing field.)

* Most General Bodymind Approaches are Based in and/or Assisted by one or more of the following [listed alphabetically]:

        Bio-Feedback, Bio-Kinesiology, Bodymind Awareness Counseling, Bodywork/Massage, Breathing/Release, Cellular Blueprint Invocative, Cranio Mobilization, Energy Work, Fascia/Connective Tissue, Hypnotherapy, Movement, PNI (Psycho-Neuro-Immunology), Yoga, ...

* Some Specific Schools, Methodologies, and/or Techniques designed for bodymind approach [listed alphabetically]:

        Alchemical Bodywork, Bioenergetics (A. Lowen), Biogram Therapy, Edu-K, Hakomi (R. Kurtz), Holistic Body Therapy (B. Green), Holographic Memory Release (J. Daily), Jin Shin Do, Postural Integration (ie: Jack Painter), Rosenwork (Rosen), Rubenfeld Synergy (I. Rubenfeld), Touch for Health, Zero Balancing, ...

* Some Specific Schools, Methodologies, and/or Techniques that are often --but not always-- used in bodymind approach, not only due to factors noted in the above "variations," but because many clients also come for, expect, and by their thinking, receive only strictly physical level and/or "stress-related" benefits [listed alphabetically]:

        Craniosacral Therapy (Upledger), Feldenkrais, Hellerwork (J. Heller), Myo-Fascial Release (J. Barnes), NLP, Polarity, Rolfing (I. Rolf), Trager.

* Popular Belief/Therapeutic Systems for supporting Bodymind Approaches [listed alphabetically]:

        Ayurveda, Gestalt or Gestalt & Psycho-Somatic Psychology, Huna, Chinese Five Element (Meridian), Shamanism, Toism

* Correlative Systems for (Body-Mind Health) Evaluation:

        A Correlative System is often one of the defining elements of the bodymind approach. Such systems are used for the purpose of involving the patient's subjective awareness, instilling motivation for and participation in, as well as assisting in revealing direction for, the patient-practitioner team-approach to healing and/or personal growth. A Correlative System correlates two or more levels of a patient's situation/condition in a therapeutically meaningful relationship (such as cause & effect, path & goal, limitation & payoff, or symbiotic relationships). For instance, a correlation may be found to exist between a location or type of stress and a relatively specific location or type of physiological condition, so that the patient may more easily relate to and participate in the further development and utilization of his/her program of therapy. Such approaches are often essentially self-healing, and are usually realized as such by the patient sooner or later.
        Most of these systems might be considered Analytical Correlative Systems, others are based more on "Body as Oracle" Intuitive Systems. The levels of correlation are many and varied, but most generally would fall into one or more of these four general categories: Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Bio-Magnetic, Physiological. The Fascial-Emotional Memory System, for a relatively new example, will usually incorporate varying degrees of Analytical Correlation, and involve the mental, emotional, Bio-Magnetic, and physiological levels.

Variations in Practice & Scope of BodyMind Therapies:

        Bodymind methodologies, as taught, usually focus on one or two levels while often giving consideration others, but the practitioner may consciously direct the work to a more narrow or broad spectrum of levels/considerations. Some methodologies and techniques may go deep into the emotional waters very quickly, as some do so by design, others tend to allow more distance, while still others may depend on the variations as noted here. The scope of practice may depending on many factors to do with the patient and the therapeutic situation at hand, the legal limits of the practitioners scope of practice and the nature of the introduction of the practitioner's work to the patient, as well as the practitioner's own belief system(s), training, experience, etc.
        For example, most Rolfers and Hellerworkers are very focused on the physiological aspects -- and they are usually dependable experts in this regard. And among these there *may* be those who also have talents and orientation for working with the emotional level, maybe some other levels as well. You would likely need to ask to find out. Sometimes, you can go by the licenses and certifications listed (although sometimes that is a matter of interpretation). And as with anything else, it is what the individual brings to and gets out of the work that makes the work what it is for that individual -- speaking of both the practitioner *and* the patient.

        For those interested for the purpose of seeking meaningful vocation, a question to ask yourself might be, "How deeply do I want to 'get into people's stuff?'."
        Note: When you are studying the material, it can all seems very very mental, compared to when you are engaged in the practice. At which point if it remains all mental, well... you probably won't remain in it, or shouldn't. Every formal training for systems designed to work with the emotional level will include, or otherwise require, personal therapy for the would-be practitioner.

About Therapy:

         Have you ever thought twice about getting psychological therapy? You'd be unusual if you didn't, since we have been influenced by a more than a few generations to stigmatized those who get therapy. And that is one of the more unfortunate things about our society. Here is an example of how "Suzy" got such training:
        Any time Suzy used to bring up her going to therapy with her mom, her mom responds as would many parents of her generation, asking, "what did I do wrong to mess you up?" Suzy replies, "it's not about what you did, it's about what I needed and didn't get." Then mom says "How was I supposed to know what you needed?" And Suzy replies, "you wouldn't know, and I as a child didn't have the ability to understand and communicate what I needed. I needed you to allow us both to talk without blame. It could be that we did hug and snuggle, but I don't remember it... I needed more than what I remember I got."
        This is my response to those who judge and/or act with prejudice towards others (or themselves) when they get therapy:
        Would we make it wrong, that in our early growing experience, we a) had parents, b) that they were human, and had mixed feelings (and beliefs) about a lot of things, c) that they influencd us, with contradictions included, d) that some influences were therefore, sooner or later, found not ideal or consistent with our preferred/chozen ideals, e) that in our love and respect of our parents, we found it difficult, or in some cases even shameful, to live our own lives with our own ideals while feeling the best about ourselves?
        So what's wrong with most anyone having needs for therapy or personal growth work? Whats wrong with most anyone doing therapy, and calling it personal growth work, if that's what most or all of it is -- especially since that IS what it usually is nowadays? A much better question might be, "What's RIGHT with that?" -- EVERYTHING!

(c) Christopher Pringer, April 2001

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¤ Some Classic Contributors in the Field:

        Wilheim Reich
        Oscar Ichazo
        Ron Kurtz
        Alexander Lowen
        Ida Rolf
        Moshe Feldenkrais
        Milton H. Erickson
        Fritz Perls
        Ernest Rossi
        Richard Bandler & John Grinder
        Charles T Tart
        Ken Wilber
        Stanley Krippner
        Joan Borysenko
        Don Johnson
        Ken Dychtwald
        Randolf Stone
        Jack Painter

SUGGESTED BOOKS:

 ¤ The Greening of Medicine, by Patrick Pietroni
 ¤ Cross Currents: The Perils of Electropollution, The Promise of Electromedicine, by Robert O. Becker

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Related Info at this site:

    "Re-Opening Bridges & Firing the Cauldrons - " - based in the perspective that the chalice, far more than just a cup in this interpretation, is about the human embodiment of Spirit into the three "lower bodies" (mental, emotional, and physical) which compose the "Body-Mind". Which is also a "cauldron" for the balancing and integrating of Humanity with the Divine.