Site last updated 05/04/2008


What is it?

This is a form of therapy which seeks:

  • to gently relieve you of bodily tensions - which hold you back from being who you really want to be as well as being the cause of many physical symptoms
  • to develop your ability to enjoy living fully in your body - to improve your ability to be 'embodied', which will enable you to adjust your life in a way which is more in tune with your body and so help to prevent the development of injury and illness.
  • to help you process and digest the remnants of stress and life experiences.
  • to enrich the depth to which you live your life - for example, it can open you up to your feelings and make you feel more responsive to the world around you ... or it to help you to contain and process any overwhelming emotions
  • to nourish your inner aliveness - it is very enjoyable!

History

Biodynamic massage is the brainchild of Gerda Boyesen (1922-2005), a Norwegian psychologist and physiotherapist. It is both a therapy in its own right and an intervention used in some forms of 'body psychotherapy' (psychotherapies which recognise the importance of the body and work with it in some way, which may or may not include the use of touch).

What else makes it unique?

Like some other forms of complementary therapy (such as acupuncture, reflexology, spiritual healing or Reiki), biodynamic massage has an energetic understanding of the body. It can be very effective for physical problems as well as for psychological/emotional issues - and is an excellent 'stress-buster' to help deal with the demands of modern life.

The relationship with the therapist is an important aspect of biodynamic massage therapy; you may enter into a profound journey of discovery within it. Some time is given for talking at the start of each session, and verbal exchanges may occur during the 'hands on' work.

It is not really a 'one off' therapy; sessions have a cumulative effect when received at weekly intervals and over months or even years. It's a bit like learning a new language, or deciding to get fit ... you don't expect to get very far with such ventures if you only do them once a month ... but it's a commitment which is well worth making in the long term.