The bodywork customizing is based on the
principles of holistic philosophy that whole is greater than the sum of parts.
In other words, a distress or pain in a certain segment of the body is a
symptom whose root or epicenter may or may not be in the same segment of the
body. An imbalance anywhere can results in compensation or distress elsewhere.
An example is, if the second chakra closes down due to sexual assault or fear,
the energetic field in pelvis contracts the fascia of the pelvic floor
resulting in imbalanced sacrum, the spine above must compensate to maintain an
upright posture. The cervical vertebrae become involved, the cranial base
distorts causing the condition of distress in upper trapezius leading to
headache and tension in shoulders.
Customizing bodywork refers to the process of locating the epicenter of
distress and understanding its nature to appropriately alter the bodywork
techniques to help the body return to its state of well-being.
The epicenter of distress can be at any level in the body: energetic system,
nervous system or musculoskeletal system. Most western bodywork modalities
focus on nervous and musculoskeletal and most eastern bodywork focus on all
three levels.
In order to locate the epicenter the therapist must understand the client as a
whole person, i.e., temperament, habits, emotional balances, constitution,
support system and desires. Charaka (perhaps 6th century BC) the foremost
authority on Ayurvedic medicines literally states: “unless the therapist can
forge an intimate rapport with patient and with the light of his knowledge and
intuition enter into the client’s innermost being he cannot help in healing”.
In general there are two stages of customization:
1. In the first stage of customization the goal is to locate
the focus of distress. In western bodywork therapist typically uses four
methods, observation, listening, asking and range of motion to locate the
epicenter of distress. Observation includes looking at the postures imbalances,
gait, skin color, communication expression and muscle tones to locate the root
and the nature of distress. Listening refers to listening with intent and
attention to client’s description of distress. It means focusing on tonal
expressions and metaphors in the context of client’s knowledge and not just
merely focusing on literal descriptions. Asking follows the listening to
understand the activities/incidents which led to the distressed condition in
the client’s body. Range of motion refers to doing passive joint movements to
identify the muscle groups where the distress condition and its symptoms are
located in the client’s body.
In addition to the four basic methods of observation, listening, asking and
range of motion, eastern bodywork uses a range of methods to identify syndromes
and symptoms e.g., pulse, face, and, tongue diagnosis and constitution
assessment. Charaka describes a ten-fold methodology for performing Ayurvedic
assessment:
I. Determine the prakurti constitution of the client (i.e.
degree of the vatta, pitta and kapha doshas in the client)
II. Determine the doshic imbalances or vikruti
III. Assess the quality of the bodily elements
IV. Determine the condition of the client’s soft tissues using palpation
V. Observe the general stature, facial, and physical features
VI. Physical strength
VII. Assess the client’s discipline, intelligence and adaptability
VIII. Emotional balance
IX. Capacity to digest and assimilate nutrition
X. Age and rate of aging
The first stage of customizing is all about perceptions.
Perceptual skills are the foundation of this stage. Presence, touch, grounding,
attention, intention and quality of space held by therapist are the essential
factors to locate the epicenter of distress.
2. Once therapist has identified the location of the epicenter
then the second step is to assess the nature of distress and techniques to
balance it. There are mainly three types of distresses:
a. “Fighting energy” distress: Client feels burning sensation,
heat or tingling at the focal point of the distress. This is the excess fire
energy trying to find its way out. In Ayurvedic terms this will be a pitta
imbalance. The effective techniques for pitta imbalances are firm strokes with
steady rhythm along the muscle fibers. The cooling oils of coconut mixed with
essential oils of sandalwood, lavender and jasmine can also help in reducing
the excess fire energy. Isometric muscle energy techniques are helpful in
reducing excess energy. Additionally, providing shiatsu treatment along the
Liver, Gall Bladder and Heart and Small Intestine meridians can also reduce
excess heat.
b. “Flight energy” distress: Client is very sensitive to
palpation and touch at the focal point of the distress. The distress keeps
migrating from one point to another. Emotions swing dramatically and show signs
of nervousness. This is the excess air energy trying to find its way out. In
Ayurvedic terms this will be a vatta imbalance. The effective techniques for
vatta imbalances are harmonizing, light and calming strokes. The oils of sesame
or almond mixed with essential oils of myrrh or wintergreen can also help in
reducing the excess airy energy. Trigger point energy techniques are beneficial
in grounding the clients with excess airy energy. Additionally, providing
shiatsu treatment along the Lung, Large Intestine, Bladder, and Kidney
meridians can also help in restoring the vatta imbalances.
c. “Frozen energy” distress: Client feels numbing sensation,
dull and deep pain at the focal point of the distress. This is the frozen water
energy trying to find its way out. In Ayurvedic terms this will be a kapha
imbalance. The effective techniques for kapha imbalances are deep, heavy and
stimulating strokes across the muscle fibers. The oils of sesame or jojoba
mixed with essential oils of juniper or eucalyptus can also help in reducing
the excess watery energy. Isotonic muscle energy techniques also help in
stimulating “frozen energies”. Additionally, providing shiatsu treatment along
the Stomach, Spleen, Pericardium, and San Jioa meridians can help in reducing
the kapha imbalances.
In summary, bodywork customization is an important part of the
holistic therapy and requires therapist to be proficient in art of listening
the story of “whole person” with complete intent and then creating the
appropriate space for healing to manifest itself.
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