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!

Note on "Energy Psychology" Methodologies:

         I refer to those such as Energy Psychology at Southeast Institute focuses on the interrelationship of energy systems, emotion, behavior, psychopathology, and health. These systems include the electrical activity of the nervous system, acupuncture meridians, chakras, biofields, and morphogenetic fields. A good resource page for sample self-applications and related resources is at Feeling Free .Net. Another good reference is Dr. Fred P. Gallo's Energy Psych .Com site submitted, Thank you, by Bruce Tanner. I found the "Preface to Energy Psychology in Psychotherapy" page very informative.

© Christopher Pringer, (this page initiated) 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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    Most Recommended Links (on BMI Index Page)

    My Professional Counseling Practice Brochure

Related Info at this site:

    "Opening the Bridges & Firing the Cauldrons" -Integrating Energy Work and Self-Healing Instruction into bodywork, is about a "Chalice-Bridging" style chakra balancing, and may include Reiki and/or very basic Qigong instruction. This approach is based in the view that we each are a bridge between Father & Mother GOD/ESSence, & thus form a chalice for the balancing & integrating of Humanity with the Divine. Or at least ideally so, as our systems are *attuned* & our batteries are *charged* & we fullfill our true role as human embodiments of Spirit. And in the belief that the body-mind can be a primary means of access for finding ones Way, developing appropriate and effective relationship among the three "lower bodies" (mental, emotional, and physical, which compose the "Body-Mind". Ref: "Triangle/Triad Interface" Chart).

    "Body-Mind Integration in the Personal Growth Process" - BASIC HOW'S AND WHY'S Of Tension and Memory in the bodily tissues ("normal" and otherwise): When, how and why it is stored and released; communication between body and mind, benefits; proprioreceptors, personal growth, massage/ bodywork, therapist's approach, etc. (Published In Massage Magazine, July-August 1992). May-Oct 2011: Addendum essays added with the goal of clarifying these topics as more easily understandable for *common sense* preventative maintenance application, as well as further completing the context and clarifying the dynamics and processes involved, including "Muscle Q & A" - a Kind of overview of the core topics, "Body Awareness and Communications, as Related to Body-Memory and Integration", "Insight Please", "EQ, IQ, Emotional Integration, and a Synergetic Relationship", and "Sticky Muscles", Reviews for two articles "on Massage, Alternative Therapies, & Pain, with "Study: Massages really can make pain go away"; & Sept 2011 Consumer Report; quotes, commentary & charts.

    The "Core Body-Mind Integration Concepts in Context Chart" is now (10/10/11) at the Organization Chart page. It compacts the key points into a relatively small visual space, and provides a summary of them and their implications relative to body-mind preventative maintenance, pain management, other aspects.

"Pattern Triad & Body-Mind-Spirit Triangle Interfaces" sig'd © Chris Pringer Apr'11

"Understanding the Pattern Triad and The Body Pattern Assessment" - About Mind-Body Relationships, (from) coping mechanisms, (to) skills, (to) gifts through challenges on one's Life Path. This page is about how the body has habitually responded to experience is evidenced by the body's holding and movement patterns. Includes [Rev'd & New Sections, 12/27/09] "Notes on Mind-Body Correlations - Source-References, Organization of *Body Memory,* and 'WHAT I DO' ". I provide an explaination for a system of assessments and mind-body correlations -- learned and integrated from/for my work with others as well as for my own life process. Other sections include excerpts from "Body Memory and ... Learning Life Lessons." About aspects to be discovered, emotionally cleared, and then employed as mental/emotional assets and guidance towards determining and accomplishing life goals. Note: Keywords referring to, or related to, the same phenomenon: emotional trauma, somatic memory, tissue memory, muscle memory, somatic experience, somatic healing, somatic therapy.

    "Integration" by Krysta Gibson,
about Common myths vs realities about psycho-spiritual integration; effective guidance about feelings and memories, 'living in the now', 'releasing' events and people, 'forgiving and forgetting' the past - for living the spiritual life fully and meaningfully. Originally published by Krista Gibson in "The New Times" of Seattle. Through the late 80's & most of the 90's, I always read Krysta's essays if I didn't have time to read anything else, and kept copies of various or her articles handy for my clients to take home with them. Still current...

    "Tensing Yoga" and other Self-Applications For Self-Healing, Body-Mind Awareness, & Preventative Maintenance (revised 7/02, 9/02).
Technique is explained for context and self-application. Includes many subtopics as well as link to an illustrated sheet of "Low-Intensity Low-Back Exercises.

    "My Cells - My Children" & other metaphorical prose - Illustrates the dynamic relationships of Spirit, mind, body, and emotions, as well as the inner-child-parent-family, including the cells, organs, and body systems. New section on "Body-Parenting" in Mind-Body Integration and a powerful form of Preventative Health Maintenance [New 12/16/09]. Based on the "Re-Parenting" approach to personal growth & self-healing, I consider it a powerful adjunct to Body-Mind Integration. The page also includes a little artwork in surreal symbolism, "The Chaliverse."

    "A Gestalt Perspective," and "Seven Phases of Personal Growth" (2 Essays) A perspective on an approach to and regard for life, one's past and present, as well as a basis for personal growth and/or therapy. I could've called it an integrated 'Gestaltist-Humanist-Buddhist-New Thought' perspective. (You could say these are my main sources, from among the various "schools" of psychology and correlating approaches to application of therapy.)

    "WHY PAIN? Notes on Pain, Awareness & Denial" (Physical and other levels) -- Aspects in Developing a Practical Approach with Compassion. I begin with basic, more physical-level concepts, and extend into other dimensions from there. There may be more proper medical terms for most of the dynamics I describe, but my purpose is to try to explain a complex but common experience in an understandable fashion. includes short essays, "Intro & Notes on Pain, Pain Reduction, Pain Elimination, Pain Desensitization", "A List Of Factors In The Perception Of Pain", "More On Referral Of Pain", "Delayed Healing", "Why Deep Massage/Bodywork?", "Should A Massage Be Painful?", "Touch-Sensivity of Muscles...", "Stress & Energy Related Pains", "Notes On Pain From Gestalt Perspective", "Internal Separation And Healing" (at http://www.chalicebridge.com/Whypain4c.html)

    "The Middle Path Log" -- a Transcript of an on-line discussion among healing practitioners and students about Integration of Body, Mind, & Spirit    (an intelligent & insightful exchange) (at http://www.chalicebridge.com/MiddlePathLog.html)

    "Body-Mind Nutrition" - considerations in relating a transition in diet & nutrition to personal and spiritual growth, and the benefits of such transition

    "Love Letter" self-applied journaling technique (Word doc format). This letter format is useful for preparing and/or facilitating deeper communications and/or resolving conflict/issues within self or with another person (ie: parent, former mate, etc). This method can fill a special need for therapeutic dialog with someone who is currently not present, including those who have passed on. Because most of what any person can actually heal, or may be responsible to heal, is within ones own feeling body. It is also valuable for/during various strictly personal therapeutic processes, for simply journaling, including self-dialog between two or more parts of yourself that represent mixed feelings about something. Other benefits include introduction to and practice in additional valuable self-healing techniques: "Self-Parenting;" constructing practical, emotionally integrative affirmations; making decisions about your intention and direction for healing change; and verbalizing those decisions in order to etch them into ones being. The latter initiates the completion of (as yet unmet) essential need(s) of the inner-child, and may manifest changes in related physical symptoms (ie: less pain). Titled, "How To Write A Love Letter", this is Available in Word doc format or (Unformatted) Text format. [You may also be able to right click on either of those links, select "save link as" (or equivalent), and save the file(s) to your hard drive for later use.]

    Jon Kabat-Zinn & PAIN CONTROL - For a non-medicated approach to PAIN CONTROL you may want to see Jon Kabat-Zinn's article at Be Mindful .Org. NOTE: To paraphrase Jon Kabat-Zinn (in reference to his perspective): control of pain is not purpose for the approach he teaches, but it can be one benefit. Zinn is the author of the book, *Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness*. Some other references for him include Wikipedia on Jon_Kabat-Zinn or EOmega .Org and his voluminous resources via University of Massachusetts Medical School

    "Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches Into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia" at National Institutes of Health, Technology Assessment Conference Statement, October 16-18, 1995. Reference page: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and National Institute of Health Home page.

Mind-Body Memory Research & the Core of Preventative Medicine ?          The "Fascia Memory Project" is about Research and Development into the relationships among connective tissue (fascia), objective/subjective experience, the neuro-physical interface between emotion, and the brain, and "body-Memory." About developing connective tissue scanning devices and diagnostics hardware for discerning and illustrating all that. Goals include the developing optimal means for applying that R&D in health care practice, as well as enhanced systems for individual development of body-awareness for preventative health maintenance. A long term project, of course, but intermediate goals and sub-projects could have considerable effective change.

         The range of application extends from the medical industry to personal home use, to public education, to social and correctional rehabilitation. Includes a table of contents for the 9 pages, research references, links to accompanying documents at this site, and charts including Fascia-Memory Project Overview Chart. The original theory was developed in '94-95 and published June'96.
          One of my main visions / goals is a society where/in children are taught how to feel/see/read their own body-mind communications such that preventative health maintenance eventually becomes second nature. That would then be part of our upbringing and public schooling. (Sample benefit: Over time we would learn to channel our initial stress response into channels more creative than that of fight or flight. And actually, this "adrenal response" has been shown to be a learned response, and not necessarily innate. Hence, we would be encouraged to re-awaken and build upon what I believe to be a natural inclination - conscious self-healing and continuous expansion of awareness.) Those goals would be accomplished by the above project.

    "Fibromyalgia - Theory with Examples" [NEW, Apr 28-30, 2011] at the Fascia Memory Theory page - a cause and effect theory - about Fibromyalgia's possible "relationship to a perfuse scattering of waste products throughout the fine interstitial spaces among the cells of the muscle tissues, due to their being chronically held *contracted* and under-circulated, including trauma induced contractedness over a broad-area (including by being forcibly tickled in early childhood)..." (Maybe it's no accident that this came along shortly after the visualization chart at the "Notes on Beliefs, Healing, and Prayer" page.)

    "Notes on Beliefs, Healing, and Prayer"
Practical considerations and a little science to boot. Tools for working with the cells - self-healing on an energetic level, plus supportive science, concepts and references, a summary essay, "Cells & Healing Changes: How I Believe What I See; Building, Cleansing, and Paradigm Management; Body-Parenting & Healing Cell-Talk" [Rev'd Apr 2011] and "'Getting Super': Sample Personalized Visualization Prayer Chart" (more application of science than prayer in this case, actually) [New Apr 2011]. Also "Water-Charging -Group-Fired- Healing Technique", based on some very inspiring scientific findings by Masaru Emoto including Dr. Emoto's message requesting our using his short, simple prayer for transforming the water (molecules) effected by nuclear radiation. [this page is finally begginning to say what I've always wanted it to! ie: more to come in time.]

    Buteyko And Other Breathing Methods with Acute & Chronic Conditions
A comparative analysis created when I needed to know when Buteyko Method (named after it's Ukrainian originator, Dr. Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko) is called for, and when it is [not so much]. Begins with summary, including long-term benefits of breathing practices as well as certain short-term uses (ie: symptomatic treatment of Asthma with Buteyko Method), selected excerpts and references on breathing as particularly related to hyperventilation, panic and anxiety, Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen balance (re: blood pH, respiratory alkalosis), Hyperventilation Syndrome, "'7-11' BREATHING", "reduced breathing exercises", "Paper Bag Breathing (not advisable)." Includes many annotated Ref-Links as well as suggested research strings and keywords.

    "The Use Of Questions (and Gestalt approach) In Effective Affirmation Therapy" - Theory & Examples for Practical Application. Theory section explains how this (PRQ) system compares to other affirmation techniques and therapies - how and why they work, advantages of PRQ's, etc. Includes Lots of Sample PRQ's (Positive Response Questions) for learning and affirming any desired knowledge, Simple How-To's in developing Pragmatic use of "the right question" -- from a test situation and/or from regular affirmations. Works well for the intangibles (Personal Growth oriented) which many would say has to come before you can truly enjoy the rest anyway.

    "Attainment And Achievement -- The Alignment Of Beliefs, Desires, And Needs" Basic principles and definitions - for functionally clarifying the differences between ones beliefs, desires, & needs; the implications for personal growth, preventative health maintenance, and self-healing

    "Achievement of Goals, Attainment, And the Role of Inner Work - Often referred to at this site as "the Goal Chart" - A Flow Chart of the Human Psyche in Growth Facilitation and the Role of Inner-Work." a practical visual tool to complement & help complete other self-help perspectives & presentations - a re-hash of ancient truths created to work for new applications

    "Whole Being Integration In Manifesting Abundance and Seven Steps To Initiation And Understanding" - Principles of magnetism in the process of conscious personal growth, spiritual integration, and self healing. Includes special section:         "Questions for Empowerment" - Positive Response Questions (PRQ's) designed specifically for Personal Empowerment.