Body therapy: what it is and how it works
Some areas of psychotherapy utilize the mind-body connection. Therapy is aimed at helping a person cope with psychological problems and blocks through specific effects on individual parts of the body. This is a pretty effective method, but is it really copyrighted?
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What does the experience of our ancestors say?
Let“s remember what folk wisdom says about the connection between body and mind:
- With a healthy mind in a healthy body.
- The soul of the heel disappeared.
- The soul is open.
- Temperament is lost.
- Prospects.
- If you become healthy, you will get everything.
- You don“t need a doctor because you live with your heart.
- A body fighter, the actions are numerous.
Undoubtedly, the connection between physical and mental health was obvious in the past, even before people invented psychoanalysis and the science of psychology itself. Did they then treat the body through the soul or spirit? Undoubtedly, one of the ways was the system of positions adopted in the Charter of the Church, and this system. They say that if you follow them all, then your health is excellent and your state of mind is excellent. Fasting is not only a religious element, but also a wise, purposeful and systematic impact on the general condition of a person, both spiritual and physical. This was especially useful when medications were far from current levels. Through contributions, priests, often involved in healing, could direct the way of life of people and, consequently, their state of health. Please note that in almost all world religions there are fasts, and they are always associated with special actions, special prayers. This is a very delicate environment for the body! In Eastern cultures, the body is even more present — yoga, swamps, etc. are aimed at simultaneous work with soul and body, without tearing them apart. Therefore, the need to pay attention to the body for the sake of spiritual health is absolutely nothing new.
How body therapy works
The connection between the body and physical problems can be easily felt. People who are not familiar with the feeling of „like a weight falling off their shoulders“ express it in order to complete a difficult task, get rid of a big responsibility, or how they „fill their chests“ in such situations. And the sensation of “freezing” when sucking due to strong arousal? The therapeutic body acts “against” through massage, pain or force, causing the necessary reaction of the body and suggesting the disclosure of the problem or the removal of the block. For example, massage or shoulder kneading can help a person feel free and happy and reveal psychological burdens that cannot be suppressed. The load is literally felt, which means that there is a path, and it needs to be reset. A good therapist can somehow identify psychological problems based on body signals and often combines classical psychoanalysis with therapy. The body is usually very sensitive to internal problems, sometimes even more sensitive than the human mind. It is used in a variety of fields, from medicine to business negotiations.
Many books have been written about what signals the body gives in response to thoughts. Some professionals attend serious negotiations only to hand over leadership. A potential partner becomes lost in thought while discussing an issue. I read this information solely based on body signals! But let“s get back to health. Mood and behavioral cues often reveal health problems long before they manifest as symptoms. There is a whole branch of psychology that studies these relationships — psychology. The examples become even brighter when we again turn to history and folk wisdom.
- It sits in my liver — they say about someone that when it appears, the liver begins to crawl out to the side.
- A person with a gallbladder is about a person with a difficult character who always tries to be clear. In fact, gallbladder problems create such a person. A sick mood does not add strength to anyone.
- Strangling toads is said when they are feeling greedy. However, there is a very real disease of the “breast gland”, and its symptoms are somewhat similar.
- I feel my heart.
- My heart is restless. The heart is generally a wonderful organ. A person“s life depends on it. And it really hurts him when something happens not only in his life, but also among loved ones and adults.
Wilhelm Reich is considered the founder of this therapy. He developed a method for removing various muscular armorings that cause certain psychological problems. Muscular armorings obstruct breathing, often affecting the chest and shoulder muscles. Alexander Lowen developed his Bioenergetics based on Reich“s methodology. This allows the body to relax contracted muscle groups using specific postures that increase tension. He also employed a method of self-destruction to see his naked body.
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Moshe Feldenroose based his method of therapy on the principle that civilized people often develop psychological problems due to incorrect habits and movements imposed by society and upbringing. He promoted the principle of returning to natural movements and beneficial postures that impacted mental health through physical comfort.
Matthias Alexander paid special attention to the spine, or maximal extension. His method is often used today by actors, dancers, and journalists.
Exercises based on body therapy
You can trust the mind-body theory to work because it is based on two main principles. First of all, each technique mentioned is based on sensations in the body, but it must be allowed to relax. Most people don“t realize how many muscle groups are under constant tension. The first exercise is aimed at the general feeling of your body. Stand comfortably straight on your feet and lower your arms along your body. Imagine yourself being pulled into a crown, straighten up as much as possible, stretching your spine as if you were trying to grow. Relax and exhale as much as possible, leaving tension only in those muscles where you cannot even bend your knees. Repeat the exercise several times until the body is not affected. You can literally take the weight off your shoulders and perform variations of the following exercise. Throw the other person“s arms over your shoulders, push the imaginary person, put your hands on him and drop the weight on your elbows. The backpack is removed. Repeat until your shoulders become warm. Put all your energy into the exercise and remove unnecessary weight as intensely as possible. You can also say help words out loud, such as „Leave Me Alow.“
“a little about body-oriented therapy.” lecture by Vladimir Mokhov
Buy massage oils and creams and make it a ritual, especially after a difficult day. As a rule, the time and effort spent on the body pays off very quickly. After just a few days of self-therapy, you can feel the beneficial effects. Stimulation and tension disappear, and peace and tranquility set in. If you learn to listen attentively to the signals your body gives you during this self-massage, believe me, life“s problems will become much less, and a grateful body nurtures the spirit and mind.
Self-medication can be helpful
Not everyone has the opportunity or desire to seek help from a psychologist or therapist. Some don“t believe in such things at all and prefer traditional methods. There“s no need to worry about fatigue, insomnia, health, or anything else. Before you start taking pills for frequent stress, tension at work or school, or a heavy workload, consult a doctor and try to find your hidden reserves. This way, you won“t have to do much, and you“ll always have time to return to Plan A. Our bodies are designed to withstand much greater stress and strain than we give them. We“ve survived through evolution. This means we“ve adapted to life without unnecessary medications and medical care. Unless, of course, we“re dealing with serious illnesses.
Let“s start in the morning! They discuss the benefits of exercise from different perspectives. Wake up to the physical aspect. Do you need to warm up your car in the morning before leaving the yard? This is how we warm up our own bodies. No need to jump up right away! Place yourself under a blanket for a few minutes of blissful relaxation. Stretch your spine, arms, and legs. Feel your body from head to toe. Have you ever noticed how animals diligently stretch? Take a cue from your cat! Your warm-up is complete, so move on to your shower! Apply some aromatic body wash and massage your skin with a hand towel. A shower isn“t just a hygiene routine. It“s an opportunity to show your body how much you love it. Creams and oils help spread joy and prolong your mood. And don“t forget to relax tired muscles throughout the day! A five-minute massage of your face, head, and shoulders will help you regain your tone and feel energized. And don“t forget about hoggy! Of course, there are always opportunities to do this, but it“s very beneficial. Always remind your body that you love it. Even if it has a belly and folds. This, of course, translates from one state to another in the form of excellent health and well-being. Let“s remember cats. Many of them never get sick in their lives, not even with acute respiratory infections.
By the way, another proof of the connection between body and mind. Probably everyone has encountered this phenomenon at least once. I was tired and unhappy on my way home from work, I was a little cold or someone sneezed nearby, and a severe cold knocked me down for at least a week. And at other times, meeting with their loved ones, they got caught in the rain, got wet to the skin, walked for hours in the wind, were frozen to the bone, and nothing! They didn“t even sneeze. What is this connected with? What strengthens or weakens the immune system? Is it possible to achieve such an effect with willpower? Yes, it“s possible! Watch your mood, treat your body, do simple exercises, stay in shape!
