The term 'Biodynamic' is used to describe a free flowing and spontaneous expression of the life energy, and it is to facilitate this process that Biodynamic therapists work with clients.
HISTORY
The theories and methods of Biodynamic therapy were developed by Gerda Boyeson during the second half of the twentieth century.
Gerda Boyeson was a Norwegian Psychologist, familiar in the theories and practice of the eminent Psychoanalyst and Doctor, Willhelm Reich. She underwent analysis with Reichian analyst Dr Ola Raknes, and then in order to develop her understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body further, she did an additional training in Physiotherapy.
Once qualified, Gerda worked at the famous Buelow Hansen clinic, treating psychiatric patients with Adel Buelow Hansens' revolutionary massage techniques. She was greatly surprised at how quickly the patients responded to the treatment and how their symptoms subsided, and over time developed the techniques further herself.
Gerda became particularly interested in the sounds of the 'gut rumblings', noticing how often it coincided with moments of emotional release or insight. She began to use a long stethoscope placed on the patient's abdomen to explore the phenomenon further. This led to her development of the theory of 'psychoperistalsis', in which she described how the intestines digest the remnants of stress as well as food.
Biodynamic therapists still use a stethoscope to listen to the 'psychoperistalsis' as a guide to how the client is responding to a massage.
Moving to London in 1968, Gerda opened the "Gerda Boyeson Centre for Biodynamic Psychology and Psychotherapy" and continued to refine her methods for a further 25 years. The work is currently practised throughout much of Europe and parts of the Americas, and the present home in the UK is at The London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy.
Ultimately, Biodynamic Psychotherapy became a combination of the vegetative work of the Reichian analysts coupled with the specific massage techniques.
BIODYNAMIC MASSAGE
Unlike other forms of massage, Biodynamic massage is a psychotherapeutic massage. This means that it works with all dimensions of the person - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
In Biodynamic massage I work with Gerda Boyeson's theory of The vasomotoric cycle -
In a healthy person, all experiences are felt at all levels of the body. We experience a charge in our system in response to a stimulus (this could be grief at the death of a loved one, or a more everyday situation such as frustration of a young child being told she cannot have some sweets). A move toward expression follows (tears and sadness/anger at death of the loved one, or the pounding of her fists, crying and stamping of feet of the frustrated toddler). Following on from expression we need a period of calm and integration to allow our system to resettle into a state of equilibrium once more.
For many of us, however, the cycle gets interupted at some stage - often repeatedly, and the unexpressed or incomplete charge leaves a residue in our muscles and organs, our breathing is impaired and we are gradually divorced from full experiencing of the joys and pains of being alive. Muscular and postural deformities occur over time and our whole system is unable to completely release and restore.
By working with the psychoperistalsis, I am able to support you to begin to self regulate your system once more. Special massage techniques working at the level of skin, muscle, bone and energy system help to free the frozen vital energy and to bring about a feeling of rest, calm and greater spontaneity and feeling of connection with oneself and others. You are better able to feel at home in your body and to act from a more centred core when dealing with the everyday stresses of life.
Massage sessions usually last one hour and can be used as part of a psychotherapy contract or as a treatment in their own right.
No oils or lotions are used and Biodynamic massage can be done through light clothing if you feel more comfortable.
BIODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
The philosophy that underpins Biodynamic psychotherapy is a humanistic one. This essentially means that the starting point for understanding human potential comes from a belief that everyone has the core capacity for a loving and positive interaction with life.
Working together we build a relationship of trust and safety, that gradually allows you to discover, through deeply embodied self knowledge, a way to live your unique potential.
This may mean facing and opening to previously hidden depths of feeling in yourself. This can sometimes be a painful, but ultimately liberating experience as you free energy that has been preventing full experience of 'aliveness'. I work to support this journey of self exploration and empowerment by helping you to reconnect to your physical dimension - your body has a wisdom to guide you home to yourself.
I do this in a number of ways:-
We can work in a conventional talking way. As you explore current troubling issues, past difficulties and developmental history, I will help you to 'root' your talking in your body, paying attention to non-verbal communication such as your breathing and posture, as you speak. You come to understand how the past influences the present, and you will be supported in accessing significant episodes in your life that have helped to create habitual and unfulfilling ways of responding to life relationships andchallenges.
By using the dynamic that is present in the relationship between us, I can help you to get in touch with feelings toward yourself and others, that you have been carrying largely unawares, throughout your life.
I can also support a 'dropping of consciousness' into less familiar parts of yourself, by using imagery and exploring dream material, as well as encouraging your body to spontaneously release some of your holding - an experience that can lead to powerful expression followed by a feeling of profound calm and oceanic bliss.
I will also use Biodynamic massage, as and when appropriate, as part of the psychotherapy. I recognise the power and symbolic nature of touch and will use my sensitivity when working in this way.
However we choose to work, Biodynamic Psychotherapy is essentially an organic process that follows the flow of your 'uncoiling'. I normally see clients weekly for one hour sessions. Biodynamic therapy is not a 'quick fix' therapy, sometimes requiring a lengthy period of therapy to help you to be more healthy in the world, feel more alive and authentically yourself.
It can be a deeply transformative process, opening us to the sacred, as well as to the more simple pleasures and flow of everyday life.
HISTORY
The theories and methods of Biodynamic therapy were developed by Gerda Boyeson during the second half of the twentieth century.
Gerda Boyeson was a Norwegian Psychologist, familiar in the theories and practice of the eminent Psychoanalyst and Doctor, Willhelm Reich. She underwent analysis with Reichian analyst Dr Ola Raknes, and then in order to develop her understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body further, she did an additional training in Physiotherapy.
Once qualified, Gerda worked at the famous Buelow Hansen clinic, treating psychiatric patients with Adel Buelow Hansens' revolutionary massage techniques. She was greatly surprised at how quickly the patients responded to the treatment and how their symptoms subsided, and over time developed the techniques further herself.
Gerda became particularly interested in the sounds of the 'gut rumblings', noticing how often it coincided with moments of emotional release or insight. She began to use a long stethoscope placed on the patient's abdomen to explore the phenomenon further. This led to her development of the theory of 'psychoperistalsis', in which she described how the intestines digest the remnants of stress as well as food.
Biodynamic therapists still use a stethoscope to listen to the 'psychoperistalsis' as a guide to how the client is responding to a massage.
Moving to London in 1968, Gerda opened the "Gerda Boyeson Centre for Biodynamic Psychology and Psychotherapy" and continued to refine her methods for a further 25 years. The work is currently practised throughout much of Europe and parts of the Americas, and the present home in the UK is at The London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy.
Ultimately, Biodynamic Psychotherapy became a combination of the vegetative work of the Reichian analysts coupled with the specific massage techniques.
BIODYNAMIC MASSAGE
Unlike other forms of massage, Biodynamic massage is a psychotherapeutic massage. This means that it works with all dimensions of the person - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
In Biodynamic massage I work with Gerda Boyeson's theory of The vasomotoric cycle -
In a healthy person, all experiences are felt at all levels of the body. We experience a charge in our system in response to a stimulus (this could be grief at the death of a loved one, or a more everyday situation such as frustration of a young child being told she cannot have some sweets). A move toward expression follows (tears and sadness/anger at death of the loved one, or the pounding of her fists, crying and stamping of feet of the frustrated toddler). Following on from expression we need a period of calm and integration to allow our system to resettle into a state of equilibrium once more.
For many of us, however, the cycle gets interupted at some stage - often repeatedly, and the unexpressed or incomplete charge leaves a residue in our muscles and organs, our breathing is impaired and we are gradually divorced from full experiencing of the joys and pains of being alive. Muscular and postural deformities occur over time and our whole system is unable to completely release and restore.
By working with the psychoperistalsis, I am able to support you to begin to self regulate your system once more. Special massage techniques working at the level of skin, muscle, bone and energy system help to free the frozen vital energy and to bring about a feeling of rest, calm and greater spontaneity and feeling of connection with oneself and others. You are better able to feel at home in your body and to act from a more centred core when dealing with the everyday stresses of life.
Massage sessions usually last one hour and can be used as part of a psychotherapy contract or as a treatment in their own right.
No oils or lotions are used and Biodynamic massage can be done through light clothing if you feel more comfortable.
BIODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
The philosophy that underpins Biodynamic psychotherapy is a humanistic one. This essentially means that the starting point for understanding human potential comes from a belief that everyone has the core capacity for a loving and positive interaction with life.
Working together we build a relationship of trust and safety, that gradually allows you to discover, through deeply embodied self knowledge, a way to live your unique potential.
This may mean facing and opening to previously hidden depths of feeling in yourself. This can sometimes be a painful, but ultimately liberating experience as you free energy that has been preventing full experience of 'aliveness'. I work to support this journey of self exploration and empowerment by helping you to reconnect to your physical dimension - your body has a wisdom to guide you home to yourself.
I do this in a number of ways:-
We can work in a conventional talking way. As you explore current troubling issues, past difficulties and developmental history, I will help you to 'root' your talking in your body, paying attention to non-verbal communication such as your breathing and posture, as you speak. You come to understand how the past influences the present, and you will be supported in accessing significant episodes in your life that have helped to create habitual and unfulfilling ways of responding to life relationships andchallenges.
By using the dynamic that is present in the relationship between us, I can help you to get in touch with feelings toward yourself and others, that you have been carrying largely unawares, throughout your life.
I can also support a 'dropping of consciousness' into less familiar parts of yourself, by using imagery and exploring dream material, as well as encouraging your body to spontaneously release some of your holding - an experience that can lead to powerful expression followed by a feeling of profound calm and oceanic bliss.
I will also use Biodynamic massage, as and when appropriate, as part of the psychotherapy. I recognise the power and symbolic nature of touch and will use my sensitivity when working in this way.
However we choose to work, Biodynamic Psychotherapy is essentially an organic process that follows the flow of your 'uncoiling'. I normally see clients weekly for one hour sessions. Biodynamic therapy is not a 'quick fix' therapy, sometimes requiring a lengthy period of therapy to help you to be more healthy in the world, feel more alive and authentically yourself.
It can be a deeply transformative process, opening us to the sacred, as well as to the more simple pleasures and flow of everyday life.
